Folding delicate fabrics such as satins and silks can leave unsightly wrinkles. Thus, it is best to ship this kind of fabric in rolls. Here are some tips on how to properly pack and ship fabrics.
Go to your local fabric store and ask if they have empty cardboard fabric tubes. Bolts of fabric sold in stores are rolled in these tubes. When the fabric sold out, the tubes are usually discarded so you can ask if you can have them or pay for a minimal fee. Alternatively, get a length of PVC pipe at your local hardware store.
Make sure the cardboard tubes or the PVC pipes are clean before using them. You may want to wrap the tube in a couple of layers of muslin cloth to be sure.
Lay your fabric on a wide and clean surface. Carefully roll the fabric into the tube. Then, wrap the entire roll of fabric in clear plastic and secure it with tape. Make sure to provide extra plastic on both ends and stuff the excess wrap inside the hole of the tube.
Wrap it again in a couple of layers of bubble wrap for more protection. Insert the fabric in an open-ended tube box with a cap or triangular tube box which is available in most shipping supply stores. If your rolled fabric is longer than the boxes, you may combine two tube boxes together.
Fill empty spaces with more bubble wrap or packing peanuts to prevent the content from shifting.
Close the tube box and seal ends with packaging tape.
Address the package and take to your shipping company or post office.