August 25th, 2018 by Chris Race
Pak Mail packs stone for small package & freight shipping
Stone table tops require special packaging for safe shipping. Smaller pieces like the petrified wood slab can ship as a UPS or FedEx small package. The slab is protected and kept absolutely flat in a rigid Styro-lined box, which is then floated in a second box filled with peanuts. Small packages shipped with UPS or FedEx must withstand the rigors of handling by carrier drivers, various package orientations, and facility conveyor belts.
Larger, heavier pieces like the sandstone table top ship on a pallet with a freight carrier. The packaging also keeps the stone flat in a rigid Styro-lined box; a second box is not required. The finished package is placed on its edge and strapped to a pallet.
A little extra care ensures safe delivery.

Petrified wood table top packaged for small package shipping

Sandstone slab table top packaged for freight shipping
Posted in Custom Box, FedEx, Freight, Furniture Shipping, Packing, Pallet, Shipping, UPS
May 11th, 2018 by Chris Race
Goodwill ships the small items; Pak Mail ships the rest
Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado online auction lists Pak Mail as the shipper of choice for larger items. We provide pickup-pack-and-ship estimates daily for a variety of items. Pak Mail recently shipped framed artwork and prints, bicycles, a remote-controlled gas helicopter, and Jabba the Hut.
We recommend getting a pack-and-ship estimate before bidding on Goodwill items to eliminate any shipping surprises. It helps determine the auction bidding budget.

Goodwill Auction Helicopter

Goodwill Auction Jabba the Hut
Posted in Auction Shipping, Packing, Shipping
March 13th, 2018 by Chris Race
Not all packing peanuts offer equal protection
Pak Mail accepts clean packing supplies — packing peanuts, Styrofoam, bubble wrap, paper — for recycling. We recently received a small box of cornstarch peanuts. Since they break down with moisture, they are great for the environment. For the same reason, these peanuts are not so great for packing fragile china for small-package shipping with UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS. We mix our recycled cornstarch peanuts with foam peanuts to make sure items are protected throughout the shipping process. All items are bagged to prevent dissolving cornstarch peanuts from sticking to them.
Check out the picture of cornstarch peanuts. The ten on the left are still whole; the ten on the right started to dissolve from moisture and compact into tiny flat “rocks.” Any questions?

Cornstarch peanuts dissolve with moisture.
Posted in DHL, FedEx, Packing, Recycling, UPS, USPS Priority Mail
March 4th, 2018 by Chris Race
Clean Styrofoam, peanuts, bubble wrap, packing paper
Pak Mail accepts and recycles clean packing materials — white Styrofoam, both molded and flat sheets, not food containers; packing peanuts; bubble wrap; and packing paper. Please separate by type of material and remove all packing tape.
We combine these recycled materials with new protective packaging products and corrugated boxes in our packing of fragile items for shipping.
Thanks!

Posted in Consumer Tips, Packing, Recycling, Shipping
January 9th, 2018 by Chris Race
Commemorate 2017 and Welcome 2018
Thank you to our customers – both “old” and new – as we continue to thrive. Our 2017 was a year of growth and change.
- Customers can attest to the number of large freight shipments we did in 2017.
It’s amazing the shipping challenges that come through our front door.

Dad – Everett Minck 1925-2017
- My Dad quietly left this world in March saying, “I’m ready to fly.” His gentle entrepreneurial spirit lives on.
- Jesse completed an 18-month course in medical equipment technology in August. He moved on to a full-time position repairing high-tech equipment. He continues to work part-time at Pak Mail on most Saturdays and a few afternoons.
- Stop by and meet our new employee Shane – not related, but treated like family.
- Albertsons became Safeway. Pak Mail is still two doors north and has been since 1996. Ten years of ownership is fast approaching at the end of February.
We appreciate our customers! Pak Mail ships small packages and documents with UPS, FedEx, DHL, or USPS; rents private mailboxes for personal and business use; builds custom boxes, crates, and pallets; packs and ships large items with LTL, air, and ocean freight carriers; and provides basic office services.
Thank you!

Posted in DHL, FedEx, Freight, Local Business, Mailbox Rental, Packing, Pallet, Shipping, UPS, USPS Priority Mail
December 13th, 2017 by Chris Race
2017 Gift Packing & Shipping Tips
Pak Mail recommends shipping gifts early in the month to ensure on-time holiday delivery by Friday, December 22.

2017 Holiday Gift Shipping Countdown
The carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL) post holiday schedules. The following cut-off dates are based on these schedules and our holiday shipping experience. Pak Mail includes additional time for potential delays due to inclement weather and increased package volume.
Shipping Week Three: December 18-22
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 3-day on Monday, December 18.
- Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx 2-day/overnight on Monday, December 18.
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 2-day on Tuesday, December 19.
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx overnight on Wednesday, December 20.
Before your trip to Pak Mail – especially if it’s part of your “honey do” list – be prepared with the following shipping information:
- Address and phone number of the recipient (must be a physical address for UPS, FedEx, and DHL).
- Contents of the package (if already packed and sealed). Save time and let Pak Mail pack for you.
- Value of the items.
- When you would like the package to arrive.
You will be asked if the package is safe to leave on the porch. Due to reports of porch theft this time of year, we recommend a delivery signature on most packages. We can also ship to the recipient’s work address.
Merry Christmas!
Posted in Consumer Tips, DHL, FedEx, Packing, Seasonal, Shipping, UPS, USPS Priority Mail
December 6th, 2017 by Chris Race
2017 Gift Packing & Shipping Tips
Pak Mail recommends shipping gifts early in the month to ensure on-time holiday delivery by Friday, December 22.

2017 Holiday Gift Shipping Countdown
The carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL) post holiday schedules. The following cut-off dates are based on these schedules and our holiday shipping experience. Pak Mail includes additional time for potential delays due to inclement weather and increased package volume.
Shipping Week Two: December 11-16
- Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx Ground by Wednesday, December 13.
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx Ground by Thursday, December 14 (to Maine/northern New England), or Friday, December 15.
Shipping Week Three: December 18-22
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 3-day on Monday, December 18.
- Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx 2-day/overnight on Monday, December 18.
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 2-day on Tuesday, December 19.
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx overnight on Wednesday, December 20.
Before your trip to Pak Mail – especially if it’s part of your “honey do” list – be prepared with the following shipping information:
- Address and phone number of the recipient (must be a physical address for UPS, FedEx, and DHL).
- Contents of the package (if already packed and sealed). Save time and let Pak Mail pack for you.
- Value of the items.
- When you would like the package to arrive.
You will be asked if the package is safe to leave on the porch. Due to reports of porch theft this time of year, we recommend a delivery signature on most packages. We can also ship to the recipient’s work address.
Merry Christmas!
Posted in Consumer Tips, DHL, FedEx, Packing, Seasonal, Shipping, UPS, USPS Priority Mail
November 30th, 2017 by Chris Race
2017 Gift Packing & Shipping Tips
December has three full weeks before the Christmas holiday. Hanukkah begins in the middle of the second week. Pak Mail recommends shipping gifts early in the month to ensure on-time holiday delivery by Friday, December 22.

2017 Holiday Gift Shipping Countdown
The carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL) post holiday schedules. The following cut-off dates are based on these schedules and our holiday shipping experience. Pak Mail includes additional time for potential delays due to inclement weather and increased package volume.
Shipping Week One: December 4-9
- Ship Hanukkah gifts this week.
- Ship international gifts DHL/FedEx this week (recipient is responsible for duties and taxes).
- Ship APO/FPO/DPO packages USPS Priority Mail by Monday, December 4.
- Ship APO/FPO/DPO letters/cards USPS First Class by Monday, December 4.
Shipping Week Two: December 11-16
- Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx Ground by Wednesday, December 13.
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx Ground by Thursday, December 14 (to Maine/northern New England), or Friday, December 15.
Shipping Week Three: December 18-22
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 3-day on Monday, December 18.
- Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx 2-day/overnight on Monday, December 18.
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 2-day on Tuesday, December 19.
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx overnight on Wednesday, December 20.
Before your trip to Pak Mail – especially if it’s part of your “honey do” list – be prepared with the following shipping information:
- Address and phone number of the recipient (must be a physical address for UPS, FedEx, and DHL).
- Contents of the package (if already packed and sealed). Save time and let Pak Mail pack for you.
- Value of the items.
- When you would like the package to arrive.
You will be asked if the package is safe to leave on the porch. Due to reports of porch theft this time of year, we recommend a delivery signature on most packages. We can also ship to the recipient’s work address.
Merry Christmas!
Posted in Consumer Tips, DHL, FedEx, Packing, Seasonal, Shipping, UPS, USPS Priority Mail
October 30th, 2017 by Chris Race
Fragility, value and shipping method determine packaging preparation
Pak Mail prepares items for packing and shipping based on several factors including fragility, value, and shipping method. Packaging prep for non-fragile items like clothing or soft toys is simple: place the items in a bag to keep them clean, then into the appropriate box for shipping with UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS, or freight. Easy!
Packaging preparation for shipping other items is a little more complicated. The shipping method — freight on a pallet or small package — is the first consideration.
- Freight on a pallet: Small pieces of framed artwork require glass mask, small bubble, and corrugated sandwiches. A small amount of cushioning material will keep them safe during transport. These pieces shipped with the furniture shown in #4. This same artwork shipped as a small package requires two inches of protection around all dimensions (large bubble and packing peanuts).
- Small package with FedEx ground: High-value artwork needs soft foam on the plaster frame, acid-free paper on the painting, and Styro lining before being placed in a custom wooden crate.
- Freight on a pallet: Van conversion kits from Wayfarer Vans are wrapped in felt blankets and placed in custom corrugated boxes.
- Freight on a pallet: Delicate furniture is wrapped in a felt blanket before placing in a Styro-lined box.

1. preparing framed artwork

2. preparing high-value artwork for crate

3. preparing van conversion kit

4. preparing fine furniture
Posted in Artwork Shipping, Crating, DHL, FedEx, Freight, Furniture Shipping, Packaging, Packing, Pallet, Shipping, UPS, USPS Priority Mail
June 22nd, 2017 by Chris Race
Trust Pak Mail to ship your FedEx packages
Looking for FedEx on Garden of the Gods Rd? Pak Mail is conveniently located at the corner of Garden of the Gods Rd and Centennial Blvd in the Albertsons (Safeway) shopping center.
Pak Mail is authorized to ship with FedEx – Ground, Home, Air, and Freight:
- Small package – if it’s not hazardous or illegal, we can ship it.
- Document – needed overnight or next week, we can ship it.
- Large item over 150# or 139″ dimensional calculated weight – we can freight it.
- Pre-labeled small package or document drop off – we can ship it.
Can’t find the right box? Is the item fragile? Does it need a custom box and a pallet? We offer packing services, too.
FedEx provides daily pickups from Pak Mail.

Pak Mail – FedEx Authorized ShipCenter
Posted in FedEx, Packing, Shipping