Posting your racket for a professional restring is one of the easiest ways to keep your game sharp — especially if you don’t have access to a trusted local stringer. Whether you play badminton, tennis or squash, using a postal restringing service gives you reliable results without needing to travel.
This guide walks you through how to safely package and post your racket, the best couriers to use, what to include in the parcel, and how to avoid common mistakes that lead to damage or delays.
Why Postal Racket Stringing Is Safe and Reliable
A well-packaged racket travels safely through the postal system. Thousands of players across the UK use postal restringing every year because it is:
- Convenient — no need to book appointments or travel
- Fast — typically returned within a few days
- Professional — precise tensioning and high-quality strings
- Consistent — your racket is restrung by the same expert every time
With the correct packaging, your racket will be fully protected from impact, compression, and bending during transit.
How to Package Your Racket Safely
1. Wrap the Frame and Head
Start by protecting the most vulnerable part of the racket — the head.
Use one of the following:
- Bubble wrap (recommended)
- Foam wrap
- Thick layers of newspaper
Wrap the entire frame in two full layers, ensuring no bare areas remain. Secure lightly with tape (avoid placing tape directly on the frame).
2. Add Extra Padding Across the String Bed
Although the strings will be replaced, protecting the string bed helps keep the frame rigid and prevents crushing.
Good options include:
- A cardboard frame ring
- A folded piece of bubble wrap
- A thin piece of foam cut to shape
Place the padding directly over the string area before adding outer wrapping.
3. Protect the Handle
The handle is less vulnerable, but padding helps prevent dents or scuffs.
Wrap the grip with:
- Bubble wrap
- A soft cloth
- Foam sheet
Tape lightly to secure.
4. Choose a Strong Outer Package
This is crucial. Avoid thin mailing bags or non-padded envelopes.
Best packaging options:
- A strong cardboard box (ideal)
- A padded racket mailer
- A double-layered postal box
Choose a box at least 5–10 cm longer than your racket to allow room for padding at both ends.
5. Add Internal Padding to Prevent Movement
Place your wrapped racket in the centre of the box and fill any gaps with:
- Crumpled paper
- Bubble wrap
- Air-filled packaging pillows
Your racket should not move when the box is shaken gently.
6. Include Your Details Inside the Box (optional)
This helps the stringer match your racket to your order quickly.
Include:
- Your name
- Order number
- Return address
- String selection
- Preferred tension
- Any additional notes
A simple handwritten note is perfectly fine.
7. Seal the Parcel Securely
Use strong packaging tape and seal all edges.
For extra security:
- Add a second layer of tape to the central seam
- Reinforce corners if using a repurposed box
Which Postal Service Should You Use?
Choosing the right courier is important to ensure your racket arrives safely and on time. Here’s a breakdown of the options we recommend based on value, convenience and reliability.
Evri (Recommended for value and convenience)
Evri is one of the most cost-effective and convenient ways to send a racket for restringing. Because they charge by weight rather than parcel size, you avoid the high costs that often come with posting sports equipment.
Evri also offers:
- Hundreds of local drop-off points including supermarkets and corner shops
- Budget-friendly services for non-urgent deliveries
- Fully tracked options
- Reliable delivery times
This makes Evri an excellent everyday choice for single or multiple rackets.
Yodel (Recommended for flexible delivery options)
Yodel also charges by weight, helping to keep postage costs low even when sending bulkier parcels.
Players appreciate Yodel for:
- A wide network of Yodel Direct drop-off locations
- Clear and dependable tracking
- Multiple service levels to suit different budgets
- Simple drop-and-go convenience
If you want affordable postage with flexible delivery choices, Yodel is a strong option.
Royal Mail (Recommended for speed and remote areas)
Royal Mail is a great alternative if you need a quicker service or live in a location where couriers are less reliable or slower to collect.
Ideal when you need:
- Tracked 24/48 services for faster turnaround
- Delivery to or from hard-to-reach UK postcodes
- A well-established and trusted national network
- Enhanced insurance options
Royal Mail is generally more expensive for racket-sized parcels, but offers excellent coverage and consistency, especially for urgent restrings.
Summary – Which Should You Choose?
- Best value: Evri
- Most flexible/accessible: Yodel
- Fastest or remote areas: Royal Mail
All three are safe options — choose the one that best suits your budget, timing and location.
How Long Does Postal Restringing Take?
On average:
- Post to stringer: 1–3 working days
- Restringing: 24–48 hours
- Return delivery: 1–3 working days
Most players receive their restrung racket within 4–6 days total, depending on courier speed.
Tips to Avoid Damage or Delays
✓ Use a box, not a mailing bag
✓ Add padding to both ends of the racket
✓ Keep the racket from moving inside the box
✓ Choose tracked postage
✓ Avoid sending on Fridays (to prevent weekend delays)
✓ Keep your order details inside the parcel
✓ Consider sending multiple rackets together to save on postage
Can You Post Multiple Rackets?
Yes — simply:
- Wrap each racket individually
- Stack them with padding between each
- Place them in a secure, appropriately sized box
This helps reduce postage cost and ensures they arrive together.
What Happens Once Your Racket Arrives?
Our professional stringers will:
- Unpack and inspect your racket
- Confirm string choice and tension
- Clean or tidy the frame
- Restring using calibrated and professional machine
- Quality-check tension and finish
- Apply any requested customisations
- Repackage securely and send it back
The process is quick, safe and designed to minimise time off court.
Conclusion
Posting your racket for restringing is a simple, safe and effective way to keep your equipment performing at its highest level. With the right packaging and a trusted postal restringing service, your racket will travel safely and return to you freshly strung and ready to play.