Laminating silver prints?

[BetterSense]

I printed a lot of postcards for family on Ilford postcard paper. I'm concerned at how well they are going to get through the mail...I know one drop of water and that RC paper is going to stick to whatever is beside it and be ruined, not to mention scratches etc. If I laminate the postcards, will it hurt the silver gelatine paper; that is, will the laminating machine melt it or anything? And will the post office accept laminated postcards?

 

[Blacknoise]

I guess you could slip it into a plastic sleeve. That might work.

 

[AlexG]

I think USPS will accept anything that you can stick a stamp on.

I guess if your not looking for archival quality lamination, any kind of sticky or melt on plastic laminate will be fine.

 

[MattKing]

If you are concerned, just put them in envelopes.

Matt

 

[removed account4]

i have been sending photo post cards for 20+ years .. rc and fiber both
don't worry about water dribbling on them, they really don't get wet like that ...
and the scratches + battle scares are what make a post card a post card

don't try to send something less than the regulated size, they will mail it back to you
and insist it be larger ...

as matt suggested, if you are worried, just get an envelope and mail it that way

john

 

[Simon R Galley]

I am very lucky in that many APUGGERS include me in the POSTCARD send around...( please keep them coming! I enjoy getting them and they all go on the pin board at HARMAN )

So I have probably received more postcards than anyone else : I have to say that 90% arrive unmolested, no scratches or anything...the Royal Mail do have a habit of sticking on some kind of small identity strip for the post code ( zip code ? ) which does detract I have to say.

You could laminate, no problem, I think though, nicer without...

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

 

[bdial]

No need to laminate, they will do fine on their own.
My experience with the label strips the post offices add is that they peel off easily.

 

[BetterSense]

I plan to write on them with Pigma micron pens.

 

[keithwms]

I agree, they do fine on their own with no lamination.