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Typewriter Packing and Shipping Tips

This page is a work in progress. When finished is intended to help prevent shipping damage to antique typewriters by providing a clear set of instructions for safe packing and shipping.

Antique typewriters can be both heavy and delicate so they present special packaging problems for safe shipping. I have had many typewriters shipped to me, most without problems but some have been damaged in transit. In each case where I have had a typewriter damaged in shipping, the person shipping the machine had made a significant effort to try and prevent damage. In some cases there was some thing I could identify that probably would have prevented the damage but the damage would have been difficult to anticipate.

A few things to keep in mind when packaging a typewriter for shipping. most packages make it through the shipping process not to much worse for the where, one out of every ten or so will take a fair amount of abuse. If you want any particular package to arrive with it's contents intact you need to assume that it will be the one that gets beat up in shipping. You need to assume the package will be turned upside down and bounced around with other heavy packages sitting on top of it.

The following packing instructions have been developed from my own experience as well as the experience and recommendations of others. Because they each have special considerations separate instructions are provided for portables and full size machines.

Hazards and General Considerations

Packaging Portables

Packaging Full Size Typewriters

Shipping

Hazards and General Considerations:

This section discusses the hazards we are trying to protect against and general considerations when selecting packaging materials.

As a package travels through the shipping process it will be subjected to a variety of hostile conditions. It will ride bumpy conveyer systems, be stacked and restacked as it is transferred from truck to conveyer to truck and so on. Each time it is moved it is by someone who is in a hurry to keep things moving on schedule. Don't expect packages to be gently stacked, think more in terms of being tossed on to a pile.

The package may end up at the bottom of a stack with substaintal weight on top of it.


Packaging Portables:

  1. The first step is to secure the moving parts so the typewriter does not beat it's self up. Using string, nylon ty-wraps, or twist ties, secure the carriage so it does not move back and forth. Don't tie things to tightly, we want to prevent damage not cause any.
  2. We want to prevent the typebars (the bars that swing to the platen when you press a key) from bouncing around much. Loosely stuff crumpled newspaper or plastic bubble wrap in the type-basket area
  3. Fill the empty spaces of the carrying case with crumpled newspaper or plastic bubble sheet packing material. If the typewriter is not securely attached to the case this space must be filled with sufficient material to prevent the machine from shifting around.
  4. Wrap the case in a plastic bag.
  5. Pack the case in a corrugated cardboard box that allows a minimum of 4 inch space on all sides of the typewriter case for packaging material. Almost any common packaging material can be used for this purpose. If you are using foam packing material you need to pack it securely or the heavy typewriter can migrate to the bottom and lose most of it's cushioning. Crumpled pieces of newspaper work well.
  6. Put a large index card or sheet of paper with the ship to and return addresses inside the box.
  7. Tape the box closed very securely along all it's seams.
  8. Mark the package as fragile and which side is up. When possible use labels available at packaging shops and office supply stores for this purpose. UPS will not guarantee the package will remain upright during shipping or that the package will be handled more carefully but if you don't label it they can't even try.


Packaging Full Size Typewriters:

  1. The first step is to secure the moving parts so the typewriter does not beat it's self up. Using string, nylon ty-wraps, or twist ties, secure the carriage so it does not move back and forth. Don't tie things to tightly, we want to prevent damage not cause any.
  2. On many typewriters if you tie the carriage return lever depressed, the escapement will release and allow the carriage to move back and fourth. This can help prevent damage to the escapement mechanism when used with ties to secure the carriage.
  3. We want to prevent the typebars (the bars that swing to the platen when you press a key) from bouncing around much. Loosely stuff crumpled newspaper or plastic bubble wrap in the type-basket area
  4. If the machine has a case or lid and base, fill the empty spaces of the carrying case with crumpled newspaper or plastic bubble sheet packing material. If the typewriter is not securely attached to the case this space must be filled with sufficient material to prevent the machine from shifting around.
  5. Wrap the case or machine in a plastic bag.
  6. Pack the case or machine in a corrugated cardboard box that is slightly larger then the case or machine. Almost any common packaging material can be used for this purpose. If you are using foam packing material you need to pack it securely or the heavy typewriter will migrate to the bottom and lose most of it's cushioning. Crumpled pieces of newspaper work well.
  7. Pack the first box in a second corrugated cardboard box that allows a minimum of 4 inch space on all sides of the inner box for packaging material. Almost any common packaging material can be used for this purpose. If you are using foam packing material you need to pack it securely or the heavy typewriter can migrate to the bottom and lose most of it's cushioning. Crumpled pieces of newspaper work well.
  8. Put a large index card or sheet of paper with the ship to and return addresses inside the box.
  9. Tape the box closed very securely along all it's seams.
  10. Mark the package as fragile and which side is up. When possible use labels available at packaging shops and office supply stores for this purpose. UPS will not guarantee the package will remain upright during shipping or that the package will be handled more carefully but if you don't label it they can't even try.


Shipping:

Most typewriters when packaged properly will be large and heavy enough that the U. S. Post Office (USPS) will call them over size and charge accordingly. Consequently United Parcel Service (UPS) will be the preferred carrier for most shipping of typewriters. UPS will handle packages that are surprisingly large and heavy. Unfortunately UPS is not known for handling every package as if it contained fine china. Not that USPS or any other carrier will be notably better in their handling fragile items.

Be sure to insure the package for the full value of the typewriter. If any damage or a loss occurs it is a disappointment for the person shipping and the person receiving the typewriter. But at least if it is insured it will not be a financial loss also. Shipping insurance is cheep and that is what it's there for, so please use it.

Following are links to several popular shipping operators and their rate calculators so you can do some rate comparisons for yourself.

UPS,... UPS rate calculator

USPS,... USPS rate calculator

Fedex,... Fedex rate calculator

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Last updated on October, 7, 1998