Common Shipping Mistakes to Avoid When Sending Sports Memorabilia for an Autograph Signing

Shipping your sports memorabilia to an autograph signing should be simple. But after receiving thousands of customer items over the years, we see many of the same shipping mistakes again and again.

A late package can miss the signing entirely. Poor packaging can lead to a damaged card, photo, helmet, or jersey. Missing labels can leave us trying to determine what you wanted signed, where you wanted the autograph, or even which order the item belongs to.

The best rule is simple:

Make your autograph submission as clear and damage-resistant as possible.

Someone should be able to open your package, look at your item and instructions, and immediately understand exactly what needs to happen.

Here are some of the most common shipping mistakes collectors should avoid when sending sports memorabilia to Powers Sports Memorabilia for an autograph signing. For more advice on preparing your items for signing, check out our memorabilia shipping resource page.

1. Shipping Your Item Too Late

This is one of the biggest mistakes collectors make.

Every autograph signing has a mail-in deadline. Your item needs to be physically delivered to us by that deadline. The date you put the package in the mail is not what matters.

If the deadline is approaching, don't assume a carrier's estimated delivery date is guaranteed.

We generally recommend UPS whenever possible because, in our experience, its tracking and delivery times tend to be more consistent.

If you choose USPS, give yourself significantly more time. We recommend allowing at least two to three weeks when possible rather than expecting a package to arrive right before a signing deadline.

Remember:

The deadline is when we need to receive your item—not when you need to ship it.

Give yourself extra time.

2. Assuming a "Do Not Bend" Sticker Will Protect Your Item

A "DO NOT BEND" sticker is not packaging.

Sorting machines and shipping equipment aren't going to carefully protect your collectible simply because you placed a sticker on the envelope.

If your item can bend, make it bend-proof before you ship it.

For cards and photos, that means using rigid protection and cardboard. For valuable or particularly fragile items, we strongly recommend using a box rather than a flat mailer.

A good rule to remember is:

If you can bend the package with your hands, it can probably get bent during shipping.

3. Using a Flat Mailer Without Enough Protection

Flat mailers may be convenient, but they can also be bent, crushed, folded, or damaged.

If you're shipping a card or photo in a flat mailer, sandwich the protected item between multiple pieces of sturdy cardboard.

For cards, we recommend starting with:

• Penny sleeve
• Top loader or Card Saver
• Cardboard on both sides
• Secure outer packaging

Make sure the card cannot slide out of its holder during shipping. A small piece of tape over the opening can help keep it secure.

Whenever possible, however, we prefer receiving items in boxes.

4. Not Using a Box

One of the easiest ways to improve the protection of your sports memorabilia is simply to ship it in a sturdy box.

Boxes provide considerably more protection against bending, crushing, and other damage than thin mailers.

This is especially important when shipping items such as:

Football helmets, basketballs, footballs, baseballs, Funko Pops, framed pieces, multiple signed items, and other three-dimensional collectibles.

Don't choose the smallest possible box just to save a little space. Give the collectible enough room for proper protective material.

5. Not Protecting the Item Inside the Box

Putting an item in a box isn't enough.

Assume the package is going to get moved around during transportation. Your collectible should not be bouncing from one side of the box to the other.

Use appropriate protection such as bubble wrap, packing paper, cardboard, or other cushioning material.

If you're sending an item that already contains autographs, we strongly recommend placing it inside a protective plastic bag before packing it.

That helps protect the item from dirt and also helps keep existing autographs from rubbing against packing materials.

Jerseys should be bagged.

Baseballs can be placed inside clean plastic bags.

Helmets should be protected and securely cushioned.

The goal is to prevent the collectible from moving around inside the package.

6. Not Labeling Your Autograph Item

This is one of the most important parts of sending an item to an autograph signing.

Every item should be clearly labeled.

Your instructions should tell us exactly what you want done.

Depending on your order, your labeling should include information such as:

Your name
Your order number
Powers
Pen color
Pen type
Desired autograph location
Authentication instructions
"No COA" if you do not want authentication
Inscription instructions, when applicable

Don't assume we'll know what you want.

Clear instructions reduce mistakes and help the signing process run much more efficiently.

7. Putting Your Label Where the Athlete Needs to Sign

Your labeling should be clear—but it should also be out of the way.

We frequently receive items where collectors have placed notes, tape, Post-it notes, or other instructions directly in the area where they want the athlete to autograph.

Leave enough room for the autograph.

The athlete shouldn't have to remove or move your instructions before signing.

When labeling your item, look at it from the athlete's perspective:

Is it immediately obvious where to sign, and is there enough room to comfortably complete the autograph?

If the answer is yes, you've probably labeled it correctly.

8. Ordering the Wrong Autograph Option

Shipping mistakes aren't always about the package itself.

Another common problem is sending an item that doesn't match the order that was placed.

For example, customers may:

Order the wrong item category.

Request authentication without purchasing authentication.

Request a longer inscription but purchase only one inscription when additional inscription charges are required.

Order one type of item and send something different.

Before shipping, compare your physical item and instructions against your actual order.

Everything should match.

If you're requesting an additional service, make sure you've purchased that service.

9. Forgetting Your Order Number

Your order number is extremely important.

Include it with your submission and, whenever possible, include it as part of the shipping information.

When your package arrives, we want to be able to immediately connect it with the correct customer and autograph order.

A box arriving with no order number, no clear identification, and no paperwork creates unnecessary delays.

10. Sending a Package With No Instructions

Believe it or not, packages sometimes arrive containing memorabilia with virtually no information.

No clear order number.

No signing instructions.

No autograph placement information.

No explanation.

That turns a straightforward autograph submission into detective work.

We don't want to guess what you intended—and you don't want us guessing either.

Before sealing your package, imagine handing it to someone who knows absolutely nothing about your order.

Could that person determine:

Who is signing it?
Where should it be signed?
What pen should be used?
What color should be used?
What inscription is requested?
Is authentication required?
What order does it belong to?

If they could, you've done a good job preparing your item.

Make your submission dummy-proof.

11. Not Protecting Existing Autographs

If you're sending an item that already contains one or more signatures, take extra precautions.

Put a clean protective bag around the item whenever practical so existing autographs aren't rubbing directly against bubble wrap, cardboard, packing paper, or other materials.

This becomes especially important with multi-signed items.

Imagine sending a jersey containing 20 autographs to add autograph number 21. You're not only protecting the unsigned area—you're protecting all 20 signatures already on the jersey.

Take your time when packaging valuable multi-signed pieces.

12. Not Considering Insurance

If you're shipping a valuable collectible to us, consider whether you need shipping insurance.

You are responsible for getting the item safely to Powers Sports Memorabilia, so purchase appropriate insurance from your carrier if necessary.

Return shipping is different.

We do not automatically provide insurance covering the full value of your collectible when sending your item back.

Order protection may be available, but it covers the applicable value of the order placed through our website—not necessarily the total value of the collectible you sent us.

For example, if you send us a valuable multi-signed item and purchase one $100 autograph, protection associated with that purchase does not suddenly insure the entire collectible for its full market value.

If you require additional return insurance, contact us and arrange to provide your own properly insured return shipping label.

The Simple Rule: Protect It and Make the Instructions Obvious

Most shipping problems are preventable.

Before sending sports memorabilia to an autograph signing, ask yourself two questions:

1. Could this item survive being dropped, moved, stacked, or handled roughly during shipping?

2. Could someone who knows nothing about my order immediately understand exactly what I want done?

If both answers are yes, you're in good shape.

Use a sturdy box whenever possible. Protect the collectible inside the box. Label everything clearly. Include your order number. Purchase the correct signing options. Give yourself plenty of time before the deadline.

And don't rely on a "Do Not Bend" sticker to do the job that proper packaging should be doing.

Taking an extra few minutes before shipping can prevent delays, confusion, damaged memorabilia, and missed autograph signings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping Sports Memorabilia

What is the biggest mistake when shipping an item for an autograph signing?

Shipping too close to the mail-in deadline is one of the biggest problems we see. Your item must arrive by the deadline, so always allow extra transit time.

What shipping carrier does Powers Sports Memorabilia recommend?

We generally recommend UPS because we've found its tracking and delivery times to be more consistent for autograph submissions.

Should I ship sports memorabilia in a box?

Whenever possible, yes. A sturdy box provides better protection against bending and crushing than most flat mailers.

How should I ship a trading card for an autograph?

Place the card in a penny sleeve and top loader or Card Saver. Secure the opening so the card cannot slide out, sandwich it between sturdy cardboard, and place it inside protective outer packaging.

Does putting "Do Not Bend" on a package protect a card or photo?

You should not rely on it. The packaging itself should prevent the collectible from bending.

Should jerseys be placed in plastic bags before shipping?

Yes. A clean protective bag can help prevent dirt and packing materials from contacting the jersey and any existing autographs.

What information should I put on my autograph item?

Clearly identify your name, order number, desired pen color and type, autograph location, authentication preference, and any applicable inscription instructions.

What happens if I request authentication but didn't purchase it?

If a requested service wasn't included in your original order, additional payment may be required before the item can be processed as requested.

Should I insure memorabilia when shipping it to Powers Sports Memorabilia?

If the collectible has significant value, consider purchasing appropriate shipping insurance through your carrier.

Does Powers Sports Memorabilia insure my collectible for its entire value when shipping it back?

Not automatically. Any order protection applies according to the value and terms of the order placed through our website and should not be assumed to cover the entire market value of a customer-supplied collectible. Contact us if you require additional return insurance arrangements.

What is the best way to avoid problems with a mail-in autograph submission?

Ship early, use strong packaging, clearly label every item, include your order number, and make sure your physical submission matches the services you purchased.