top of page

Shipping a Typewriter

If shipping is required and you're new to shipping typewriters, read through the packing tips below.

Preparing a Typewriter for Shipping

 

If you need to ship your typewriter to our shop and aren't sure about best packing methods, read through the packing tips below. Proper packing is essential for ensuring that your typewriter arrives safely at the shop, as we are not responsible for any damage incurred during shipping to the shop. 

​

If a serviced typewriter sent from our shop arrives with shipping damage, take pictures of the damaged box before opening, each unpacking step, and any damage to the typewriter. Then Contact Us immediately to discuss next steps. If the typewriter doesn't have any obvious damage but doesn't seem to be working properly, Contact Us so we can help troubleshoot the issue.

​

There are instructional YouTube videos for how to pack typewriters, but if you're sending a typewriter to our shop for servicing, here are some basic tips that will help protect the typewriter during transit:

​​

If Your Typewriter Has a Case

 

  1. Pick a box that leaves approximately 3 inches of space on all sides of the typewriter. Reinforce the bottom with extra packing tape for added sturdiness.

  2. If your typewriter has a carriage lock, make sure it's engaged. If it doesn't have a carriage lock, centre the margin sets to decrease carriage movement. If you're not sure if your typewriter has a carriage lock, reference a user's manual for your typewriter or Contact Us for assistance.

  3. Securely latch or bolt the typewriter into the base, or if there is no latching system, centre it inside the case.

  4. Place a balled up piece of bubble wrap inside the type basket to prevent the typebars from moving during shipping. Pad around all sides and on top of the typewriter with bubble wrap, ensuring that the typewriter won't be able to shift once the case is closed. Be careful not to put too much packing material inside the case, which could cause unnecessary pressure on the typewriter and the case.

  5. Wrap plastic wrap around the closed case, front to back, to prevent the case from opening during transit and to decrease any strain on the case locking mechanism. 

  6. Wrap multiple layers of bubble wrap around the case. Then tape extra bubble over the corners to reinforce higher impact areas. 

  7. Place packing material in the bottom of the box (foam, bubble, balled paper, etc.), and then place the typewriter in the centre of the box, ensuring that it's the right side up and NOT upside down.

  8. Pack around the typewriter case with balled paper to prevent it from shifting during transit. Fill the rest of the box with packing materials and seal it with packing tape. Write "fragile" and directional arrows in Sharpie on the box.

  9. Ship it to Ocean View Typewriters at the address provided by us.

 

If Your Typewriter Doesn't Have a Case

 

Typewriters without cases can still be shipped safely if the proper steps are taken. There are two ways to pack typewriters without cases.

 

Double Boxing

​

The double boxing method uses an inner box that acts as a case for the typewriter, nestled within a larger shipping box.

​

  1. Pick two boxes: an inner box that leaves an inch or so of space around the typewriter and a larger box that leaves approximately 2 inches of space on all sides of the inner box. Reinforce the bottom of the larger box with extra packing tape for added sturdiness.

  2. If your typewriter has a carriage lock, make sure it's engaged. If it doesn't have a carriage lock, centre the margin sets to decrease carriage movement. If you're not sure if your typewriter has a carriage lock, reference a user's manual for your typewriter or Contact Us for assistance. 

  3. Place a balled up piece of bubble wrap inside the type basket to prevent the typebars from moving during shipping. Wrap the carriage snugly with plastic wrap to decrease carriage movement.

  4. Wrap multiple layers of bubble wrap around the typewriter. Then tape extra bubble over the corners to reinforce higher impact areas.

  5. Place the typewriter inside the inner box, adding bubble or paper as needed to prevent any movement during transit. Then seal the box.

  6. Place packing material in the bottom of the larger box (foam, bubble, balled paper, etc.), and then place the inner box in the centre of the larger box, ensuring that it's the right side up and NOT upside down.

  7. Pack around the inner box with paper to prevent it from shifting during transit. Fill the rest of the box with packing materials and seal it with packing tape. Write "fragile" and directional arrows in Sharpie on the box.

  8. Ship it to Ocean View Typewriters at the address provided by us.

​

Extra Padding

​

Instead of using two boxes, the extra padding method relies on extra padding around the typewriter and a strong box.

​

  1. Pick a strong box that leaves several inches of space on all sides of the typewriter. Reinforce the bottom with extra packing tape for added sturdiness.

  2. If your typewriter has a carriage lock, make sure it's engaged. If it doesn't have a carriage lock, centre the margin sets to decrease carriage movement. If you're not sure if your typewriter has a carriage lock, reference a user's manual for your typewriter or Contact Us for assistance. 

  3. Place a balled up piece of bubble wrap inside the type basket to prevent the typebars from moving during shipping. Wrap the carriage snugly with plastic wrap to decrease carriage movement.

  4. Wrap multiple layers of bubble wrap around the typewriter. Then tape extra bubble over the corners to reinforce higher impact areas. Make sure there is plenty of padding over all parts of the typewriter.

  5. Place packing material in the bottom of the box (foam, bubble, balled paper, etc.) to create a thick layer of extra padding, and then place the typewriter in the centre of the box, ensuring that it's the right side up and NOT upside down.

  6. Pack around the typewriter with paper to prevent it from shifting during transit. Fill the rest of the box with packing materials and seal it with packing tape. Write "fragile" and directional arrows in Sharpie on the box.

  7. Ship it to Ocean View Typewriters at the address provided by us.

Please note that typewriters are used vintage or antique items with pre-existing wear and tear. We do our utmost to ensure that all typewriters that leave our shop are in excellent working and cosmetic condition, but they will still show signs of previous use and wear, and they may have small quirks that don’t impact their functionality but that may contribute to a unique typing experience.
bottom of page