How do you ship a print flat?

Information on shipping, storing and repairing your art, plus your reviews on products for art collecting, making, storing, etc..
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seeker1115
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Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:16 am

I've got a print that I would like to unload, but the trick is that it's custom framed. I really don't want to dismantle the frame just to get it out, so I reach out to you, EB, what is the best way to ship a framed print? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
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jamesgunter
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Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:25 am

done it many times... can i just say... ITS A PAIN IN THE ASS!

it has to be packed WELL, and its EXPENSIVE! i would ship unframed any day over the hassle of shipping a framed print!

if you HAVE to do it, just PACK IT WELL!!! i use multiple layers of bubble wrap over the print, then i add corner protecters, put it in a HUGE box, add Styrofoam popcorn around that, and in the end it ends up costing me about $120 to ship.
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mistersmith
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Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:15 am

Dude, it's not so hard. Find a box at your office that fits, or go buy a mirror box from a moving store, UPS/FedEx store, whatever. Then, if your glazing is real glass, put a tic-tac-toe board of the really expensive blue masking tape on there in case there's a crack in shipping. Then, slip the frame into a polybag (or trash bag if you have to) and tape that closed real nice. Bubble wrap that bastard real good, slip all that into the box with a bunch of peanuts. No problem.

But a serious bump can still dislodge whatever mounting system you used, so, nothing's perfect. But you'll be fine.
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treweman
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Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:50 am

Have to agree with Smith, not too difficult. From my experience, the best boxes for this are sold at FedEx (roughly $10). These are dedicated art boxes ... if you go look at one, you will see why. Be sure to use the Z-fold cardboard on the inside that keeps the art from touching the walls of the box. I ship using USPS, but get the supplies at FedEx.
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HappaHaoli
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Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:59 am

tpeazy is the gold standard in shipping prints flat! Maybe these will give you some ideas... like the paper corners. Good luck.

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suchanoo
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Wed Jul 25, 2012 2:00 am

Just received this from Stanley Mouse - not often I get a print flat packed from accross the pond, especially without asking for it to be done. The poster was very well protected with minimal packaging: The poster held in a large polyester sleeve, which was folded in half with the poster in one side and a backing card in the other, then encased in two sheets of thick card, with a few reinforcement strips and lots of tape...poster arrived minty fresh...

Outer packaging:
flatpacked-1.JPG
Inner packaging:
flatpacked-2.JPG
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