Last updated: April 2026
Letters and Flats are the most cost-effective way to ship trading cards. They use standard USPS letter-mail postage rates — the same way millions of envelopes move through the mail every day — but through TCG Quick Ship, every label comes with integrated tracking and optional insurance up to $50 at no extra complexity. No visits to the post office. No manual tracking uploads. Just print, drop, and ship.
Letters and Flats are ideal for the most common TCG seller shipments: single cards, small lots, and lightweight multi-card orders.
TCG Quick Ship labels use USPS letter-mail postage rates. Tracking is included on every label at no extra charge.
Max ¼" thick · Max 3.5 oz
+$0.49 for non-machinable envelopes (rigid top loaders)
Max ¾" thick · Max 13 oz
Postage rates sourced from USPS Notice 123. Rates subject to change.
| Specification | Letter | Flat |
|---|---|---|
| Max size | 6.125" × 11.5" | 12" × 15" |
| Min size | 3.5" × 5" | Larger than a Letter |
| Max thickness | ¼" (0.25") | ¾" (0.75") |
| Max weight | 3.5 oz | 13 oz |
| Cards per envelope | Up to ~24 | Up to ~50 |
| Starting postage | $0.74 | $1.63 |
| Tracking included | Yes | Yes |
Letter-mail is processed by machinery with rollers. For your envelope to travel smoothly through the mail stream, keep a few things in mind:
Envelopes need to be flexible enough to bend through sorting rollers. A sleeve and a single card in a standard envelope is fine. Rigid top loaders or thick holders can make an envelope non-machinable, which adds a $0.49 surcharge and may affect transit. If you want to keep costs down, use semi-rigid card savers or team bags instead of hard top loaders for Letter-class shipments.
The maximum thickness for a Letter is ¼". If your envelope has bumps, lumps, or uneven thickness, it may be classified as a Parcel and charged at a higher rate. Distribute cards evenly and avoid bulging corners.
Shipping tip
Cards in a penny sleeve + team bag + standard #10 envelope typically qualify as a machinable Letter. Adding a cardboard backer keeps the card flat without pushing past the ¼" limit for most single-card orders.
Every shipping label purchased through TCG Quick Ship includes integrated USPS tracking — including Letters and Flats. You do not pay extra for tracking, and you do not need to manually upload tracking numbers. TCG Quick Ship handles it automatically.
Print your label
Purchase and print your label from TCG Quick Ship. Tracking is already embedded.
Drop it in any mailbox
USPS Letters and Flats do not require an acceptance scan. Drop it in any USPS mailbox, hand it to your carrier, or drop it off at a post office counter.
Tracking uploads
Once you purchase the label, you can either download your shipments to import to your marketplace or let TCG Quick Ship handle it automatically. Automatic tracking uploads are supported for only Manapool at this time.
Track from anywhere
You and your buyer can track the shipment through the Quick Ship tracking URL.
USPS does not include insurance on standard letter-mail. Through TCG Quick Ship, you can add optional shipping insurance to Letters and Flats via our partnership with PIP Insurance — an industry-leading provider specializing in eCommerce and TCG shipments.
| Shipment type | Max declared value | Insurance rate |
|---|---|---|
| USPS Letters & Flats | $50.00 | 1% of declared value (minimum $0.20) |
•Insurance covers loss or damage while in USPS care during transit
•Claims must be filed within 180 days of shipment (no earlier than 30 days after)
•File claims directly at pip-claim.com using policy number 18058
•Payment issued within 30 days of receiving all required documentation
•Insurance must be purchased at label creation — it cannot be added after
Read the full shipping insurance terms.
Unlike envelope programs that only work on a single platform, TCG Quick Ship Letters & Flats work wherever you sell. Tracking is automatically uploaded to all connected marketplaces when you purchase a label.
TCGplayer
Auto-uploads tracking to meet TCGplayer's seller requirements. Required tracking thresholds met automatically.
eBay
Works as a cost-effective alternative to eBay Standard Envelope, with tracking uploaded to your eBay orders.
Manapool
Tracking syncs automatically to your Manapool orders so buyers have visibility from the start.
CardSphere
Fulfill CardSphere orders with the same Labels & Flats workflow and automatic tracking sync.
What is the difference between a Letter and a Flat?
A Letter fits in a standard #10 envelope — no larger than 6.125" × 11.5" and no thicker than ¼". A Flat (also called a large envelope) is bigger: up to 12" × 15" and up to ¾" thick. Letters are cheaper per ounce; Flats handle larger or bulkier orders.
Does the envelope need to go to the post office for a scan?
No. USPS Letters and Flats do not require an acceptance scan at the post office. Drop your envelope in any USPS mailbox, hand it to your mail carrier at home, or bring it to any post office location — all three work.
Will my envelope really get tracking if I just drop it in a mailbox?
Yes. The tracking number is embedded in the label when it is printed. USPS scanning happens at sorting facilities — not just at the drop point — so your shipment will show tracking events even without a counter scan.
What happens if my card is lost and I have insurance?
File a claim directly with PIP Insurance at pip-claim.com using policy number 18058. Claims must be filed between 30 and 180 days after the ship date. PIP processes payment within 30 days of receiving complete documentation.
Can I use a rigid top loader in a Letter?
You can, but it may classify the envelope as non-machinable, adding a $0.49 surcharge. If you want to stay within standard Letter pricing, use a semi-rigid card saver or a penny sleeve plus cardboard backer instead of a hard top loader.
Is tracking automatically uploaded to my marketplace?
You can download your shippments to import to any marketplace, but automatic tracking uploads are currently only supported for Manapool. For other platforms, you can easily export tracking numbers from TCG Quick Ship and upload them to your marketplace to keep your buyers informed.
Get tracking on every Letter and Flat you ship — without extra cost or manual work. Optional insurance up to $50 keeps even your cheapest orders protected.
Get started free
