MAIL ART: Clear Mail

A fabulous idea! One concern - the US Postal Service will not deliver items if they can't stamp the postmark info on the surface. I've tried sending metallic/shiny envelopes before and they were all returned to me. Not to be a party-pooper. It just might be worth an inquiry to see how much of the package surface must be stamp-able :D

maybe if it's too slick, we could add a blank label to the corner before putting the stamp on? then they could make a proper postmark...i've done this with black envelopes that i've sent and haven't gotten them returned. just a thought!

There's no way I'd risk sending an envie that people could see the interesting contents in. The handmade suggestions also allow for a lot more fragility and non-standard sizes, also tempting fate. Also, I'd be very curious to know how many countries allow this: I know my post office would require me to put the clear envelope INSIDE a brown or white paper one before mailing. While it's a cool concept, I'm not sure it'll fly - or, in this case, mail.... :( Sorry, just IMHO!

I've sent numerous swap items in vellum envelopes and none of them have ever been returned. In fact, I sent most of my envie swaps in vellum envelopes. Sometimes I used a stamp, sometimes the post office puts the postage on them. Again, I've never had any type of problem with them.

unfortunately @Masterbard seems to to correct in this matter. However the charge is only 20 cents as you can see in the following.

Postal Regulations Currently Read That: Letter-size mail pieces are considered non-machinable and subject to a non-machinable surcharge if they Are polybagged, polywrapped, or enclosed in any plastic material. This does not apply to bulk mailers or flats. The surcharge would apply to letter rate postage only and the surcharge as of May 2008 is 20¢ per piece.

Discount levels, regulations, and non-machinable surcharges vary based upon class of service and other factors. Consult the domestic mail manual: http://pe.usps.gov , MailPro, or contact a "mail piece design" analyst through your local post office or a professional mailing house for detailed help with bulk mailing regulations, discounts, and requirements.

Guess this will be possible but you just have to be selective with the type of see through mailer you use, or pay the surcharge.

I mailed out over 70 wedding invitations in translucent vellum envies. I do believe there was a small extra charge, but there was no problem mailing them.

I've also mailed things in clear envelopes and never had a problem. I do think that perhaps this should be a US only swap though.

I guess just take it to your post office when its ready and have them do all the dirty work? I dont know regulations just that iv gotten clear envies before in the mail...

Believe me, every post office in th USA is different. I have a favorite one in my town I use because he doesn't give me any trouble, just mails stuff for me. The other p o the guy there is a real jerk, charges me package rate for an envie instead of just the $.20 sur charge. Mailed fabric postcards in clear enview just with a .44 stamp on it. International is gettin nitty gritty tho and losing a lot of packages that are clear I understand. So I wait this out for a bit. Good luck

There's no problem sending clear envies to and from Australia, in my experience, and there's no surcharge either. Even if there was, the PO turns a blind eye to such things. It's not worth the hassle to them, it would seem. Careful not to curtail international swappers' fun without fully investigating. Australia is strict on Customs because we're a free-bordered island nation which still has no rabies or a lot of plant blights you have in the north, but other than that - mailing's a cinch! Can't speak to other countries' policies, but as long as you 'hide' anything covetable....

That is, they'd turn a blind eye to post that has the correct postage for a normal envelope if it was posted in a red Australia Post post box. Over the counter at the PO they'd charge any applicable surcharge, but for any letter within certain dimensions, there is no surcharge. They don't care about the outside as long as it's sealed well and the address is clear to read. ;)

Ive also noticed how inconsistent the post offices regulations are, since I travel a lot in the US to different ones.. It seems like a fun challenge! Drive to each post office and see what they say. I may have to do this as an experiment and get back to you guys...But odds are that you all now know more about it than them! Haha.

Totally appreciate everyone's comments on this-- if it wasn't wasn't for you I'd have gone the rest of my life thinking this wasn't possible. :)

Count me in!

Hope someone will do this swap again later - can't do right now - but would LOVE to!

I've mailed clear envelopes in the past with no problem!