size of envelope, saving on postage?

[katydidwhat]

Hi! I'm new to collecting autographs. I wanted to start a new hobby at the start of the year.

I recently bought 100 9x12 clasp envelopes and was planning on using one as the SASE and one as the original, outer envelope. I weighed two envelopes + a sheet of loose leaf paper (LOR) on my kitchen scale and it came to 1.3 oz (so I guess that means having to use 2 .44 stamps?) But then I heard some collectors using a 6x9 envelope as the outer envelope and just folding the 9x12 SASE more. I had a spare 6x9, I weighed them (the 9x12, 6x9, and the LOR) and it came to exactly a ounce (= one stamp?). As for the SASE I would still use two stamps for the heavier photo paper.

My question is should I go and buy a box of 100 6x9's and maybe save postage (am I calculating the stamps correctly?) or just use two 9x12's?

[dfreely]

Using two 9x12s would actually cost $1.05, because it counts as "large envelope" size. That's also the same price needed for the 9x12 to return.

The advantage of using a 6x9 as the sending envelope is that it's cheaper - just one forever stamp should cover it. The supposed but plausible disadvantage is that the return envelope would be more susceptible to damage because it needs to be folded more times to fit in the 6x9. Sending it in a larger envelope would allow you to start with an unfolded (or less-folded I guess?) return envelope. Some people also choose to send along a piece of cardboard to prevent folding.

[johnnylightning]

I dont know exactly because i am from canada but i always send big envelopes and rigid return envelopes with like 4 to 6 us stamps because i always think better too much postage than not enough lol My concern is with what u said about clasp envelopes,if those are the ones with the metal clasp closure i wouldnt use those because if they only close the metal clasp and there is no glue seal or tape someone along the way can just open it and steal whats inside.

[katydidwhat]

thank you both for your responses. As for the clasp envelopes they also have the gummy seal. I bought them instead of the peel and stick because they were only $8-$9 vs. $20+ (if I remember right) for the same amount in the peel and stick ones. I plan to put a piece of tape over the metal part on the inside to avoid damaging photos.

[johnnylightning]

thank you both for your responses. As for the clasp envelopes they also have the gummy seal. I bought them instead of the peel and stick because they were only $8-$9 vs. $20+ (if I remember right) for the same amount in the peel and stick ones. I plan to put a piece of tape over the metal part on the inside to avoid damaging photos.

Yeah i always use peel and stick because i think if i was a celeb would i want to lick a envelope sent from a person i dont know lol I mean if i was them i wouldnt lick it lol Peel n stick is the way to go {up}Now days you can never be sure and i think peel and stick will help your odds of a return !

[katydidwhat]

ok, so to cover the $1.05 do I use 3 forever stamps or ask the post office? How many stamps do I put on the SASE?