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Keep the kit in its original box if you have it, protect the sprues and small parts from bending, and guard the decal sheet and instructions from moisture and creasing. Model kits are light, but their value sits in unbroken sprues, complete small parts, and a flat decal sheet. Pack the box so nothing inside can shift.
Sprues are the plastic frames that hold the kit parts, and they snap if they flex. If the kit is unbuilt, leave the parts on the sprues and keep the sprues flat in the box, separated by tissue or thin cardboard so they do not rub. If a sprue is already loose in the box, wrap it in tissue and tape the tissue closed so small parts cannot work free.
Bag any loose parts, clear parts, and tiny pieces like photo-etched frets separately, and label the bags if there is more than one. Clear parts scratch easily, so wrap each clear piece in tissue on its own rather than tossing clear parts together in one bag. Small parts that escape into the outer box are almost never found again, and a kit missing one small part is a kit that cannot be finished as designed.
Decal sheets are the most fragile part of a kit after the clear parts. A decal sheet that gets damp, creased, or stuck to another surface is ruined, and replacement decals are hard to find for older kits. Slip the decal sheet into a zip bag, lay it flat on top of the other contents, and make sure nothing heavy sits on it. Keep it away from tape: tape on a decal sheet pulls the decals off when it is removed.
Instructions deserve the same care. Folded instructions are usable, but creased and torn instructions frustrate a builder and lower the value of a collectible kit. Lay the instruction booklet flat, or fold it once along its existing fold if the box demands it, and bag it with the decals. If the kit box is damaged, reinforce it with tape along the edges before packing it in the outer box, and photograph the box condition before shipping.
| Kit part | Protection | Risk if unprotected |
|---|---|---|
| Sprues | Flat, separated by tissue | Snapped frames, broken parts |
| Small loose parts | Bagged and labelled | Lost parts, unfinished kit |
| Clear parts | Tissue-wrapped alone | Scratches that show on the finished model |
| Decal sheet | Zip bag, flat on top | Damp, creases, or tape damage |
| Instructions | Flat, bagged with decals | Tears and creases |
Use a box slightly larger than the kit box, with padding on all sides, and place the kit box flat, not on edge. A kit box on edge takes pressure along its thinnest side, and the sprues inside flex with it. Fill the gaps with crumpled paper, and do the shake test: nothing should move or rattle when you tilt the box. A rattle means a part has come loose or a sprue is shifting, and both need fixing before you seal the box.
For a rare or out-of-print kit, double-box: kit box inside a padded inner box, inside a larger outer box. It adds weight and size, but a rare kit is worth the extra protection, and the double wall absorbs the drops and stacking pressure that a single box passes straight through. Photograph the kit box and its contents before packing, so you have a record of completeness.
Ask your AI assistant for a Canada Post Xpresspost shipping label through LetterAgent, approve the exact quoted price, and print the label PDF. LetterAgent labels are Canada-only, flat-rate Xpresspost, and cover parcels up to 5 kg. If the parcel is headed outside Canada, LetterAgent cannot provide the label, so use a carrier that serves that destination directly. Put the label flat on the largest side of the box, clear of seams, and photograph the sealed parcel before drop-off. That covers most kits easily, but weigh the finished parcel before you ask for the quote.
Ready to ship it? Get a shipping label with LetterAgent: describe it to your AI assistant, approve the exact quoted price, and get your label.
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