Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
So as I think ahead to building some approval books in 2015, I'm looking for thoughts from folks who have experience arranging, scanning, and managing approval books.
- Any preference for placing stamps into/onto the pages and getting them to stay in place?
- How about numbering the stamps? I see small paper numbers inserted next to the stamps most often, but some numbers seem to be applied digitally after the scans are made. This is probably the strongest advantage of paper - just write the number on with a pen.
- Does either variety of stock page offer a better scan? This probably means less reflection, but there might be other things to consider.
- Is there anything else to think about? Yes, there is cost, and the expense will come out of my hobby budget meaning fewer stamps for a month or two...
But on the bright side, I might be able to gain a little extra shelf space by finding a new home for some of those many, many extras I have been hanging on to for so long! Thanks for any advice you might offer,
Steve
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There are templates for approval book pages that were created. The spaces are already numbered, and the spaces come in various sizes. All you have to do is get a dark green or dark blue paper (acid free) and print them out. That will be your lowest cost.
I also like the Hagner and Prinz stock sheets for approval books. It is easy to slip the number squares and stamps in and out of the sleeves. I do not like Vario sheets. Never have.
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I am very much partial to the SOR Approval Book templates, which I print in the size and quantity needed as I go...no inventory. I print on a dark colored paper (acid free, pretty much all paper are acid free today)...and I find dark blue the ideal color. Cost for 500 page: around $10....that is 2 cents per page.
I keep the stamp on them until it is shipping time...minimizing any sources of errors. See my prior discussion on 3M 801 removable photo safe tape (ISO 14523 certified), as I don't like hinges, and I don't want extra work to put mounts on the pages, which would defeat the cost argument. I buy the tape from Amazon. After more than 5 years with this method, I find no issues to make me change...although occasionally (very rarely) you may have to rub off a bit of residue on the back of the stamp (3M changes its formulation it seems, from time to time)...but really nothing much to speak of, and it pulls out with finger rubbing....I mention this for the anxious purist!
I keep each Approval Book in a folder, but you could as well 3 hole punch the pages and put them in a binder. Cost is minimal, as opposed to any other method, and inventory control is greatly simplified, as the stamps stay on the pages until shipped. When it is time to ship, I remove the stamp, and stick the tape-hinge back on the page (they are reusable, but the reason I do this is expediency).
I like the SOR templates because you can easily add notes on the pages, cat number, year, remarks or whatever, (and they stay on)... which should help the buyer as scans may not tell enough. rrr... Little bits of paper on Hagner, Vario, Lindner etc do tend to move.
It is personal preference, but it is also cost efficient.
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Think we have a small typo, should it be 811 tape?
801 comes up as screeding!
vic
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Hi Everyone;
Here is something I learned the hard way. Don't buy clear-pocket stock pages, from a shop where the owner is a smoker, unless they are still in the factory-sealed packaging. Instead of clear-pocket stock sheets you will get yellowish stock sheets, and your scanned stamps will also look yellowed too. I ended up throwing mine out to the trash.
TuskenRaider
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Steve,
In this context: I updated the approval template pages with a couple of more different layouts which can be downloaded here. I also want to add that Ralph's suggestion of using peel-able tape is a good one. I have purchased many stamps from him and there is no issue with this tape. You would never know the stamps were hinged.
I cannot offer advice or opinion on a preferable brand of black stock sheets, but I have been lucky to score some collections or lots on black pages which added both, useable supplies and stamps. I mention this because you said that the selling supplies will have to come out of the hobby budget so looking out for opportunities to double dip is one way to optimize. If you go the route of stock sheets, I am in favor of physically numbering the stamps on the sheet (as opposed to digital numbering overlays) and also caution against removing the stamps from the sheet before selling. The less you handle the stamps, the more efficient, and -- importantly -- the less room for error. However, you will have to find your own workflow and what works best for you.
Arno
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Thank you all very much for the input. And since I have very happily purchased approvals from three of you, this is the right set of experts!
I think I'll go with the paper and downloadable forms in my first go-round for three reasons: cost, ease of use (esp. stamp description), and inventory management. Now, I used to have a spare half ream of light blue paper... Wonder where I put it? 
And Arno, thanks for adding the 4x7 and 4x4 templates. I think that the 4x7 will come in handy.
Steve
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Thanks Vic. yes 811.... my mistake.
I used to buy it from Home depot or Office depot, but they don't always have them in stock, and Amazon is much cheaper.
rrr...
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Ralph, I just looked at the 811 tape on Amazon. One remaining question: is it single-sided or double-sided? And, if it is single-sided, do you fashion small hinges out of the tape?
-Steve
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11:52:43am
It is single sided. You need to order a dispenser if you do not already have one. I believe Ralph said in another post that he removed a small piece from the dispenser and it quite easily folds into a hinge like shape.
BTW, while I do not use it on stamps, I have been using it for quite some time for sealing shipments to Buyers. It functions just like regular cellophane tape and the Buyer does not have to damage the stamps removing all the excess tape I use.
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I've been using Prinz pages for a while. Double sided pages. I've got about 160 of them. Now I've been told by the old chap in the stamp shop that double sided pages are really bad and I should be using single sided.
I'll need to buy 320 of them!! That's a lot of money I'd rather spend on stamps. And then .. what do I do with my 160 double sided pages??
Any thoughts?
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I used the old double-sided Leuchtturm pages and discovered that they scuff lightly after years of use. If I were to do it all over again, I'd find suitable archival paper interleaving pages. It would be an added cost, but I think it would keep the double-sided pages looking nice for a very long time, and it should be less expensive than buying 320 new pages.
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My 10 yr older Hagner's have started to fall apart - clear mylar separating from the cardboard backing. These did a good job holding stamps in place. The newer Hagners (ordered last year are not as good in holding stamps (lack of the curl). I purchased double side Vario and the closed sides have advantages and disadvantages - seem more durable but stamps move more, plastic gets kinks with handling, harder to remove.
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Lots of pros and cons (and strong opinions!) on the Web regarding Hagner vs. Vario stock sheets. I have both types, although not too many of either. My local stamp dealer carries only Vario and claims them to be the "best." There is also the paper option. As a buyer, I prefer to see stamps on a black background, but I have purchased from a variety of backgrounds.
So as I think ahead to building some approval books in 2015, I'm looking for thoughts from folks who have experience arranging, scanning, and managing approval books.
- Any preference for placing stamps into/onto the pages and getting them to stay in place?
- How about numbering the stamps? I see small paper numbers inserted next to the stamps most often, but some numbers seem to be applied digitally after the scans are made. This is probably the strongest advantage of paper - just write the number on with a pen.
- Does either variety of stock page offer a better scan? This probably means less reflection, but there might be other things to consider.
- Is there anything else to think about? Yes, there is cost, and the expense will come out of my hobby budget meaning fewer stamps for a month or two... But on the bright side, I might be able to gain a little extra shelf space by finding a new home for some of those many, many extras I have been hanging on to for so long!
Thanks for any advice you might offer,
Steve
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this post
09:03:16am
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
There are templates for approval book pages that were created. The spaces are already numbered, and the spaces come in various sizes. All you have to do is get a dark green or dark blue paper (acid free) and print them out. That will be your lowest cost.
I also like the Hagner and Prinz stock sheets for approval books. It is easy to slip the number squares and stamps in and out of the sleeves. I do not like Vario sheets. Never have.
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
I am very much partial to the SOR Approval Book templates, which I print in the size and quantity needed as I go...no inventory. I print on a dark colored paper (acid free, pretty much all paper are acid free today)...and I find dark blue the ideal color. Cost for 500 page: around $10....that is 2 cents per page.
I keep the stamp on them until it is shipping time...minimizing any sources of errors. See my prior discussion on 3M 801 removable photo safe tape (ISO 14523 certified), as I don't like hinges, and I don't want extra work to put mounts on the pages, which would defeat the cost argument. I buy the tape from Amazon. After more than 5 years with this method, I find no issues to make me change...although occasionally (very rarely) you may have to rub off a bit of residue on the back of the stamp (3M changes its formulation it seems, from time to time)...but really nothing much to speak of, and it pulls out with finger rubbing....I mention this for the anxious purist!
I keep each Approval Book in a folder, but you could as well 3 hole punch the pages and put them in a binder. Cost is minimal, as opposed to any other method, and inventory control is greatly simplified, as the stamps stay on the pages until shipped. When it is time to ship, I remove the stamp, and stick the tape-hinge back on the page (they are reusable, but the reason I do this is expediency).
I like the SOR templates because you can easily add notes on the pages, cat number, year, remarks or whatever, (and they stay on)... which should help the buyer as scans may not tell enough. rrr... Little bits of paper on Hagner, Vario, Lindner etc do tend to move.
It is personal preference, but it is also cost efficient.
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
Think we have a small typo, should it be 811 tape?
801 comes up as screeding!
vic
Login to Like
this post
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
Hi Everyone;
Here is something I learned the hard way. Don't buy clear-pocket stock pages, from a shop where the owner is a smoker, unless they are still in the factory-sealed packaging. Instead of clear-pocket stock sheets you will get yellowish stock sheets, and your scanned stamps will also look yellowed too. I ended up throwing mine out to the trash.
TuskenRaider
Login to Like
this post
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
Steve,
In this context: I updated the approval template pages with a couple of more different layouts which can be downloaded here. I also want to add that Ralph's suggestion of using peel-able tape is a good one. I have purchased many stamps from him and there is no issue with this tape. You would never know the stamps were hinged.
I cannot offer advice or opinion on a preferable brand of black stock sheets, but I have been lucky to score some collections or lots on black pages which added both, useable supplies and stamps. I mention this because you said that the selling supplies will have to come out of the hobby budget so looking out for opportunities to double dip is one way to optimize. If you go the route of stock sheets, I am in favor of physically numbering the stamps on the sheet (as opposed to digital numbering overlays) and also caution against removing the stamps from the sheet before selling. The less you handle the stamps, the more efficient, and -- importantly -- the less room for error. However, you will have to find your own workflow and what works best for you.
Arno
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
Thank you all very much for the input. And since I have very happily purchased approvals from three of you, this is the right set of experts!
I think I'll go with the paper and downloadable forms in my first go-round for three reasons: cost, ease of use (esp. stamp description), and inventory management. Now, I used to have a spare half ream of light blue paper... Wonder where I put it?
And Arno, thanks for adding the 4x7 and 4x4 templates. I think that the 4x7 will come in handy.
Steve
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
Thanks Vic. yes 811.... my mistake.
I used to buy it from Home depot or Office depot, but they don't always have them in stock, and Amazon is much cheaper.
rrr...
Login to Like
this post
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
Ralph, I just looked at the 811 tape on Amazon. One remaining question: is it single-sided or double-sided? And, if it is single-sided, do you fashion small hinges out of the tape?
-Steve
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
30 Nov 2014
11:52:43am
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
It is single sided. You need to order a dispenser if you do not already have one. I believe Ralph said in another post that he removed a small piece from the dispenser and it quite easily folds into a hinge like shape.
BTW, while I do not use it on stamps, I have been using it for quite some time for sealing shipments to Buyers. It functions just like regular cellophane tape and the Buyer does not have to damage the stamps removing all the excess tape I use.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
I've been using Prinz pages for a while. Double sided pages. I've got about 160 of them. Now I've been told by the old chap in the stamp shop that double sided pages are really bad and I should be using single sided.
I'll need to buy 320 of them!! That's a lot of money I'd rather spend on stamps. And then .. what do I do with my 160 double sided pages??
Any thoughts?
Login to Like
this post
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
I used the old double-sided Leuchtturm pages and discovered that they scuff lightly after years of use. If I were to do it all over again, I'd find suitable archival paper interleaving pages. It would be an added cost, but I think it would keep the double-sided pages looking nice for a very long time, and it should be less expensive than buying 320 new pages.
Login to Like
this post
re: Hagner vs. Vario vs. Paper for Approvals?
My 10 yr older Hagner's have started to fall apart - clear mylar separating from the cardboard backing. These did a good job holding stamps in place. The newer Hagners (ordered last year are not as good in holding stamps (lack of the curl). I purchased double side Vario and the closed sides have advantages and disadvantages - seem more durable but stamps move more, plastic gets kinks with handling, harder to remove.
Login to Like
this post