4 DIY Shipping Tips: A Summer of Shipping... Comics, Planners, Plushies & More

ComixTribe is gearing up for a big shipping push. Here are some essential tools that make the job easier!

90 degrees this week? Some forecasts were showing it could get as high as that, which is warm for June in Massachusetts, but we’ll roll with it if it happens. What IS certain is that ComixTribe shipping will be heating up this summer.

Our shipment of SINK: City of Killers (Volume 3) hardcovers and softcovers are being checked into our warehouse this week, with shipping to commence shortly after. We also got word that our new MR. DIG PLUSH TOYS will be ready to ship TODAY.

And with the success of the Comic Book Crowdfunding Planner, which wrapped on Friday but is STILL OPEN FOR LATE PLEDGES IF YOU MISSED IT we’ll have a lot more books going out the door to backers later this summer.

And we also have a number of other projects launching soon that will certainly keep us busy at ComixTribe central.

Since shipping is on the mind, I figured I’d write a bit about some of the essential shipping tools that make DIY shipping so much easier. Though I often will outsource some of the shipping to trusted fulfillment partners, these shipping upgrades make my life easier for the packages that I need to roll up my own sleeves to fulfill.

Shipping Comics from Home? These 4 Upgrades Are Worth Every Penny

If you're planning to do DIY shipping for your next Kickstarter campaign (and let’s be honest—most creators still are), then you owe it to yourself to set up your home shipping operation for success.

Yes, there are options to outsource fulfillment, but in my own experience, and after working with hundreds of comic creators and interviewing dozens on the ComixLaunch Podcast, most still handle or at least oversee the process of getting books into backers’ hands themselves for good reasons:

✅ Most comic campaigns don’t have thousands of backers.
✅ Comics must be packed with care.
✅ DIY allows for personal touches—like sketches, signed books, or special notes.
✅ And believe it or not, sometimes outsourcing takes just as much time especially if there are mistakes and miscommunication.

If you're going the DIY route, here are four essential shipping upgrades that will save you time, money, and a mountain of headaches later on:

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1. Gemini Comic Supply Flash Mailers

These are the gold standard for shipping single issues and graphic novels safely. They’re sturdy, designed for comics, and prevent corner damage like nothing else.

💥 Bonus: Use code COMIXLAUNCH at checkout for a discount on every order.

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2. A High-Quality Tape Dispenser + Quiet Tape

You’ll go through a lot of tape—don’t skimp here. Get a pro-grade handheld dispenser that makes sealing boxes easy and consistent.

And if you share your workspace? Quiet tape is a must. Trust me—your partner, roommate, or pet will thank you. (I nearly ruined my wedding over the sound of tape during my first campaign.)

Uline.com has all of the shipping supplies you’ll ever need—including quiet tape.

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3. PirateShip.com for Shipping Labels

No more trips to the post office. Pirate Ship is a free, easy-to-use online service for buying and printing postage at home. It even offers deep shipping discounts—especially for international orders.

👊 Set it up once and you’re good to go. No fees. No nonsense. Highest recommendation!

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4. DYMO 4XL Thermal Label Printer

This is the big one, both in cost and impact. Yes, it’s a $200–$300 investment (sometimes less if you catch a sale), but it pays for itself in time saved and stress avoided.

If you’re in this comic creating game for the long haul, you might print thousands of pro-grade labels over your crowdfunding career. This tool makes you feel like you’re running a real operation—because you are.

I bought mine in 2012. It’s printed over 15,000 labels. Still works like it did on day one.

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💡 Want to stay on top of ALL your DIY fulfillment needs?

The ComixLaunch Crowdfunding Planner is packed with tools that help you prep for a smooth and stress-free shipping experience, including:

• ✅ A complete Kickstarter Fulfillment Checklist

• ✅ Product and vendor tracking sheets

• ✅ Inventory organization tips and templates

• ✅ Shipping prep workflows to avoid last-minute chaos

Whether you're sending out 50 books or 500, a few smart upgrades now can save you from late-night headaches later.

🎯 Still Time to Grab your Crowdfunding Planner now and ship like a pro »

To smooth shipping and satisfied backers,

—Tyler

P.S. If you’ve got a go-to DIY shipping tip or horror story, I’d love to hear it. Hit reply and share or leave a comment and I might feature your advice in a future ComixLaunch tip!