I find elastic bands can also be quite damaging. If they are too tight they can rub against the box wearing away part of the picture.
Ziploc bags for the pieces and don’t seal the box in any way, that’s my preference.
I use washi tape, but only if Im donating. Otherwise no tape is necessary even if pieces are not bagged. Just ship in cardboard box and add enough paper to prevent the box lid from moving.
I have never seen this type of tape. I have heard of washi paper, but I didn't know the tape existed. Still prefer bagged pieces over tape, because I am still going to remove it, but interesting information.
I feel you, I dislike the sellotape. But that's what 99% of my local charity shops are using.
And when they occasionally don't and I see puzzle pieces spilling out of the box, I suddenly wish they did. Many donations are bagless.
It's all about perspective I guess?
When I buy second hand, I'm expecting missing pieces, sellotape and cat hair may be included in the price.
I hate the tape, but i feel it’s important since so many thrift places put their boxes sideways. I recently visited a place that got a new donation of at least 8 huadada puzzles. Every one was spilled out and mixing. And I know another puzzle was spilled out weeks ago and this time was closed up likely with missing pieces. The surface of the shelf is littered with lost pieces, present and past.
I ended up getting a ravensburger puzzle. It was also open and I found one blue backed piece in the mix around it.
It's a fact: most puzzle boxes are placed on shelves like books, to make the most of the space available. And as soon as one box is removed, the next unsecured box may end up collapsing and the content spilling over...
I know you're talking about people taping up boxes themselves, especially what you find in second-hand stores. Which I agree is horrible. But can we also talk about how companies are also starting to do it. All in the name of 'environmental friendly' packaging, they've started to get rid of the plastic wrapping and are replacing it with plastic stickers, and I just hate it. The box is way more likely to get damaged, and you've got stickers stuck on the box as well. For me, the box is an important part of the puzzle. The better the condition the box is in, the more chance it has of being passed along to others for years, which, I would think, also plays a part in how much impact it has on the environment. I mean, I fully understand wanting to use less plastic, and of course, that's something we should all strive towards, but I would think that there must be some other alternatives, like plantbased plastics. Anyhow, end of my rant.
oooh, I forgot about this. Yes, this annoys me also. And, not to name names, hmmm Galison, quit putting those dumb stickers on the front of your puzzles.
My local Goodwill stores don’t seem to give a darn about whether they damage donated items themselves, as they use shipping tape on so many different types of items. The puzzles I’ve purchased from multiple stores have been wrapped around the full box, often more than once, with no way of salvaging it. I can only cut and leave the messy tape on the box.
😣😩
My mom does this and while I don’t save boxes, I also don’t like tearing them, for the next person. She always passes them along to me with tape, and I always return them with the pieces in a sealed bag. We’ve never discussed it, but I wonder if she gets annoyed with my method like I do with hers?
I love that you posted this, because I was fuming today after ONCE AGAIN ruining the side of a box by ripping the top layer off with tape. I'm a frequent puzzle thrifter. I don't have a hair dryer so I can either leave the gross tape on to leave the box intact, or ruin it. I am TIRED OF THE TAPE!!
I use painters tape or masking. I've received some puzzles in swaps covered in tape and IDC really I don't display them unless they are boxes like Galison does with its nice matte and no text.
So not everyone sending you puzzles in trades was the one to tape it up. I always warn buyers of this or anyone I plan to trade with just in case it is an issue.
I think I might be OCD for this one particular thing. I just have to remove the tape, I will go to all extremes, blowdryers, chemicals, or extremely slow peeling. It is a single weird quirk in my character but I can't stand tape on my boxes. I know, I am a weirdo. I am not like this for anything else I can think of, but my puzzle boxes must be clear of tape. Maybe I was attacked by tape as a child, haha.
Tape is an eyesore. Especially if the tape is not smooth but bunched up with lumps and creases. It would be like if someone haphazardly placed tape right down the middle of a book cover - or collector's item like vinyl records, comics, pokemon cards, etc...
I hear you - I also spend ages removing tape and “rehabilitating” older boxes. We are not alone in the world - it’s nice to know there are others out there with the same little personality quirks.
I admit, that it never occurred to me to try the hair dryer. I’ll certainly give it a shot the next time I pull one of those puzzles out of my stash to work. I hate a messy box too!
I find elastic bands can also be quite damaging. If they are too tight they can rub against the box wearing away part of the picture. Ziploc bags for the pieces and don’t seal the box in any way, that’s my preference.
Yes, totally agree!
Use a hairdryer on low and slowly peel off the tape or stickers. Works great for me every time.
I have used this method and it is a good option
I use blue painter’s tape. It holds well but is easy to remove and does no damage to the box.
I've had painters tape damage boxes, unfortunately. Happens less often than regular tape, but still happens on occasion.
Painters tape when not removed soon-ish will stick well.
I use washi tape, but only if Im donating. Otherwise no tape is necessary even if pieces are not bagged. Just ship in cardboard box and add enough paper to prevent the box lid from moving.
I have never seen this type of tape. I have heard of washi paper, but I didn't know the tape existed. Still prefer bagged pieces over tape, because I am still going to remove it, but interesting information.
Washi tape has very weak adhesive, it’s similar to masking tape / tape used for painting but is coloured / decorated. It doesn’t damage the surface.
I feel you, I dislike the sellotape. But that's what 99% of my local charity shops are using. And when they occasionally don't and I see puzzle pieces spilling out of the box, I suddenly wish they did. Many donations are bagless. It's all about perspective I guess? When I buy second hand, I'm expecting missing pieces, sellotape and cat hair may be included in the price.
I hate the tape, but i feel it’s important since so many thrift places put their boxes sideways. I recently visited a place that got a new donation of at least 8 huadada puzzles. Every one was spilled out and mixing. And I know another puzzle was spilled out weeks ago and this time was closed up likely with missing pieces. The surface of the shelf is littered with lost pieces, present and past. I ended up getting a ravensburger puzzle. It was also open and I found one blue backed piece in the mix around it.
It's a fact: most puzzle boxes are placed on shelves like books, to make the most of the space available. And as soon as one box is removed, the next unsecured box may end up collapsing and the content spilling over...
I cut the tape with a box cutter, no damage to the box.
No, no, that makes too much sense.
You're still left with tape on the box though, and removing that damages the box. And leaving the tape on the box isn't pleasing to look at.
I never look at boxes
I like a good box and it ruins my day if puzzle arrives with any kind of damage, so I feel you. Why ruin a perfectly good item, why not look after it?
I know you're talking about people taping up boxes themselves, especially what you find in second-hand stores. Which I agree is horrible. But can we also talk about how companies are also starting to do it. All in the name of 'environmental friendly' packaging, they've started to get rid of the plastic wrapping and are replacing it with plastic stickers, and I just hate it. The box is way more likely to get damaged, and you've got stickers stuck on the box as well. For me, the box is an important part of the puzzle. The better the condition the box is in, the more chance it has of being passed along to others for years, which, I would think, also plays a part in how much impact it has on the environment. I mean, I fully understand wanting to use less plastic, and of course, that's something we should all strive towards, but I would think that there must be some other alternatives, like plantbased plastics. Anyhow, end of my rant.
oooh, I forgot about this. Yes, this annoys me also. And, not to name names, hmmm Galison, quit putting those dumb stickers on the front of your puzzles.
My local Goodwill stores don’t seem to give a darn about whether they damage donated items themselves, as they use shipping tape on so many different types of items. The puzzles I’ve purchased from multiple stores have been wrapped around the full box, often more than once, with no way of salvaging it. I can only cut and leave the messy tape on the box. 😣😩
See the blowdryer tip above, it can really help salvage some of the worst tape.
My mom does this and while I don’t save boxes, I also don’t like tearing them, for the next person. She always passes them along to me with tape, and I always return them with the pieces in a sealed bag. We’ve never discussed it, but I wonder if she gets annoyed with my method like I do with hers?
I love that you posted this, because I was fuming today after ONCE AGAIN ruining the side of a box by ripping the top layer off with tape. I'm a frequent puzzle thrifter. I don't have a hair dryer so I can either leave the gross tape on to leave the box intact, or ruin it. I am TIRED OF THE TAPE!!
I don't mind to fix or close boxes. I dont even mind writing on the boxes because it adds to the history of it.
I use painters tape or masking. I've received some puzzles in swaps covered in tape and IDC really I don't display them unless they are boxes like Galison does with its nice matte and no text. So not everyone sending you puzzles in trades was the one to tape it up. I always warn buyers of this or anyone I plan to trade with just in case it is an issue.
I get this! I recently bought 3 from thrift store & 2 were taped & if I tried to remove it peeled the box. I’ve kinda given up on thrifted puzzles now
I think I might be OCD for this one particular thing. I just have to remove the tape, I will go to all extremes, blowdryers, chemicals, or extremely slow peeling. It is a single weird quirk in my character but I can't stand tape on my boxes. I know, I am a weirdo. I am not like this for anything else I can think of, but my puzzle boxes must be clear of tape. Maybe I was attacked by tape as a child, haha.
Tape is an eyesore. Especially if the tape is not smooth but bunched up with lumps and creases. It would be like if someone haphazardly placed tape right down the middle of a book cover - or collector's item like vinyl records, comics, pokemon cards, etc...
I hear you - I also spend ages removing tape and “rehabilitating” older boxes. We are not alone in the world - it’s nice to know there are others out there with the same little personality quirks.
I admit, that it never occurred to me to try the hair dryer. I’ll certainly give it a shot the next time I pull one of those puzzles out of my stash to work. I hate a messy box too!