How to Ship a Bow in 9 Easy Steps (SECRETS OUT)

The safest way to ship a bow is to pack it in a PVC plastic tube. You can find a PVC pipe online or visit any building material store to purchase it. You can even get someone at the hardware store to cut the pipe to its desired length.

The next step would be to prepare the PVC pipe to provide the necessary padding to the bow. To do that, fill the PVC cap with crumpled paper and then slip and twist it onto the end of the pipe. Do the same with the other cap once the bow is safely inside.

You can also use thick foam rubber as the padding material inside the PVC tube. This process will prevent the bow from breaking its tip by rattling back and forth during the transit. 

Next comes the bow that needs to be bubble-wrapped properly. Roll the wrap around the bow enough so it fits into the PVC pipe snugly. 

You can also use tissues, foam rubber, or soft materials to cover the bow. But ensure that the edges of the bow are covered in bubble wraps and fixed with adhesive tapes. You can also put some packing peanuts at each end of the bow to ensure extra safety.

The next step is to simply pack the bow inside the PVC Tube. Add additional padding with Styrofoam peanuts all around the tube at this stage. 

Once the bow is safely inside, shake the pipe to check whether there is still space for the bow to move around. If there is, then feel free to add more padding—be it with crumbled paper, bubble wrap, rubber foam, Styrofoam peanuts, or whatever material you deem fit.

Once the bow is safely inside the pipe, the next important step is to seal the ends with good-quality packing tapes. If needed, double the layer of packing tapes to ensure greater safety.

Next, secure the PVC pipe to prevent it from banging inside the packing box. To do that, you need to enclose the tube with more paper, bubble wraps, or any other soft material you prefer.  

Once you are sure that the tube is all wrapped up properly, it’s time to pack it in the triangular shipping tube. You can buy the tube from different online sites that sell shipping materials or visit any local stores that may have them. 

Ensure that the packing tube is larger than the PVC pipe so the pipe can comfortably fit inside the tube. You might need additional padding to ensure the PVC pipe doesn’t rattle inside. The same method of shaking the packing box to check if the pipe moves can work here. If it does, pop in the extra padding.

The next step is to seal the ends of the packing tube with sturdy tapes. Consider taping the lengthwise seam to prevent the cardboard from ripping apart and damaging the bow. Double layers of tapping will ensure further safety. 

Do not miss this step. Otherwise, the bow would risk slipping out and getting lost during transit.

The final step is to fill out the shipping invoice and stick it to the packing tube. Ensure that there is no mistake in the address box and that the writing is legible. Use good quality glue to stick the invoice so it doesn’t come off the package during transit.

There is no use packing an item so efficiently only to have it returned to you because of wrong address or illegible writing!

First, do not forget the padding and use it whenever and wherever required. Do not be stingy while using the cushioning materials. 

The padding acts as shock absorbers during shipping and prevents the bow from suffering any damage during jerks and jolts.

If it’s an expensive bow that you are shipping, remember to have it insured with the courier company you are shipping it with.
If your preferred company doesn’t offer the insurance, consider shifting to the one that does offer insurance coverage.

Pay the additional charges as required for insuring your package. But do not risk the safety of your shipment to save some extra bucks.

While shipping such packages with delicate items, you must be able to track the shipment. So, make sure you choose only those shipping methods that allow tracking, no matter which shipping company you use.

Usually, Priority and Express Mail Services offer tracking facilities. They might cost a little extra, but the relief of knowing the current package location that comes with it is far too valuable. So, don’t compromise there.

Finding the right packing box (or packing tube, in this case) can be a real challenge. 
The best way is to contact the Post Office or carriers like USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc. They generally keep those triangular shipping tubes which would be perfect for these kinds of shipping. 

You can even contact the online sites that sell these shipping supplies and purchase the packing case from there. Some carriers even offer them for free if you avail of their shipping service.