Shipping cards sounds simple… until you actually start shipping cards.
Then suddenly you’re dealing with envelope thickness, weight limits, protection, postage rules, and the reality that no, unfortunately, we cannot wrap every single order like it’s the crown jewels and still send it for two bucks.
So we wanted to make this post to be as transparent as possible about our shipping options at Subtle Shuffle — what they cost, how they’re packed, and the pros and cons of each one. That way you know exactly what you’re choosing when you check out, and why some methods come with a little more risk than others.
PWE (Plain White Envelope) — $2.50
This is our cheapest shipping option, and it’s best for smaller, lighter orders.
With this method, your cards are packed in a team bag with 1 or 2 top loaders, depending on how many cards are in the order. We recommend using this option for up to 4 cards. Usually, that means 2 cards per top loader.
If more than 4 cards are ordered, the extra cards will be placed carefully between the 2 top loaders.
And just to clear this up right away: this is not because we’re hiding in the back room whispering, “Protect the top loaders at all costs.” It’s because PWE has a strict weight and thickness limit, and if we add too much packaging, it can cause mailing issues or push the shipment outside what this method allows.
It’s also very important to know that PWE does not include tracking or insurance. That means if a package sent this way is lost or stolen, we cannot reimburse or replace it. It’s the budget option, and with budget shipping comes a bit of gamble energy.
Pros:
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Cheapest option
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Great for small orders
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Simple and effective for lightweight shipments
Cons:
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Best for only a small number of cards
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Limited protection compared to other methods
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Strict size and weight limits
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No tracking
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No insurance
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Lost or stolen items cannot be reimbursed
Untracked Bubble Mailer — $4.50
This one is kind of the middle child of the shipping lineup.
It’s still sent as letter mail, but instead of a plain envelope, it goes out in a bubble mailer for a little extra protection on the outside. Inside, the cards are packed the same way as our PWE option, so you’re getting the same careful internal prep with a bit more padding overall.
This is a great option if you want something a little sturdier than PWE without jumping all the way to tracked shipping.
That said, this option still comes with weight, height, and length limitations because it’s still travelling as letter mail. So while it does offer more protection than PWE, we still can’t keep piling on extra materials like cardboard reinforcement, because then it becomes too bulky for the shipping category.
And just like PWE, this option is also untracked and uninsured. So if it is lost or stolen, we cannot reimburse or replace it. It gives you a bit more physical protection, but not the security of tracking.
Pros:
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More protection than PWE
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Nice middle-ground option
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Still fairly affordable
Cons:
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No tracking
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No insurance
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Lost or stolen items cannot be reimbursed
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Still has shipping size and weight limits
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Less room for extra protection than tracked shipping
Standard Tracked Shipping — $12.00
This is the option for people who want the most secure shipping method we offer.
For Canadian orders, our tracked shipping is a flat rate of $12.00. This option gives us way more flexibility when it comes to protecting your cards properly. We’re able to add things like top loaders, cardboard protection, extra wrapping, and more secure overall packaging to help make sure your order gets to you safely.
If you’re ordering higher-value cards, placing a bigger order, or you just want the extra peace of mind, this is the best choice.
Basically, this is the “let’s not mess around” option.
Pros:
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Tracking included
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Best overall protection
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Great for larger or higher-value orders
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More packaging flexibility
Cons:
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Costs more than letter mail options
Free Tracked Shipping Over $250
If your order is over $250, we’ll ship it with tracked shipping and full protection at our cost.
That means you get the safer shipping option, better packaging, and extra peace of mind — without paying the shipping fee yourself.
It’s our way of saying thank you for trusting us with a larger order.
A Quick Note for International Orders
The prices listed in this post apply to Canadian orders only.
If you’re ordering from the U.S. or another country, shipping prices will be different. That said, the overall packaging philosophy stays the same — we still want your cards packed carefully and shipped responsibly no matter where they’re going.
Why We’re So Upfront About This
At the end of the day, we’d rather be clear than mysterious.
We know shipping can be confusing, and we know nobody wants to find out after the fact that their low-cost shipping option came with limitations. So we want to be upfront: some options are cheaper, some options are safer, and some options are the best of both worlds if your order qualifies.
No matter which method you choose, we always pack your order with care and do our best to get it to you safely.
If you ever have questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us at subtleshuffle@hotmail.com.
Thanks for supporting Subtle Shuffle — and thanks for trusting us with your cardboard.
– Jacob / Subtle Shuffle
