Mailing prints?

[Nick Zentena]

I need to mail some 11x14s to Europe. Likely less then six unless I print way too many. Is there some sort of standard mailer I should look for? Unmounted RA-4 prints.

 

[Dave Parker]

Most photo stores carry photo mailers, myself I use a padded envelope then insert a couple of pieces of cardboard on either side of the prints to help with the bending ability, also, you should put the prints in somekind of envelope that won't alow them to move and scratch each other in transport, then mark fragile and do not bend, photos enclosed.

Dave

 

[bobfowler]

I mailed my blind exhange print to France on Friday. I sandwiched the mounted and matted print (mounted on foam core, overall size 12X12") between 2 oversized pieces of heavy 3 ply mount board (each about 3/16" thick), taped the sandwich tight, and stuffed it in an oversized padded enveloped. With any luck, it'll arrive intact! Airmail postage wasn't unreasobable at all and the expected transit time is 4 to 7 days.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

For 11x14's I just found an excellent corrugated box from Staples. They are 2" thick, so you can fill the extra space with bubble wrap or corrugated cardboard sheets. They come in packs of 5 for about $9.

 

[Nick Zentena]

The staples Canada website doesn't seem to have any corrugated boxes smaller then 12" deep-( Maybe it's an in store item only.

OTOH they have some padded envelopes. I think I've got an empty 11x14 paper package. The kind that held 10 sheets of paper. How about putting the prints in the paper package. Then stuffing that into the padded envelope? Should even be enough room for some cardboard in those big envelopes.

 

[Dave Parker]

The staples Canada website doesn't seem to have any corrugated boxes smaller then 12" deep-( Maybe it's an in store item only.

OTOH they have some padded envelopes. I think I've got an empty 11x14 paper package. The kind that held 10 sheets of paper. How about putting the prints in the paper package. Then stuffing that into the padded envelope? Should even be enough room for some cardboard in those big envelopes.

Nick,

That would probably work great, I have shipped alot of glass to europe, simularly packaged and crossed fingers, so far no problems.

Dave

 

[Nick Zentena]

It's not a big risk. I can always just reprint. I just noticed one of the negatives I did this morning likely will need to be reprinted. It's just that the people receiving the prints aren't likely to complain. If I knew they'd mention the prints showing up ruined I'd worry less.

I'll go with the padded envelopes and hope for the best.

 

[Graeme Hird]

I send my unmounted prints around the globe in cardboard mailing tubes. Roll the prints with sheets of tissue paper between them to protect their surfaces and they'll be fine.

Cheers,

 

[Ian Grant]

Yes I agree Graeme, cardboard mailing tubes are far safer and less prone to damage.

Some are better than others, those on offer here in the UK Post Offices are a little smaller in diameter than I'd prefer but still work perfectly.

Ian

 

[MikeSeb]

Mailing tubes with tissue interleaving between prints.

 

[rexp]

For my prints I have sent (I dry mount) I sandwiched them between sheets of sytrofoam insulation. Take a sheet of 1/2" insulation from the local hardware place, and cut two pieces, each about 2" larger that what you are sending. I put my prints in plastic bags, and taped to one sheet. I laid the other over the print, and taped the edges. It is lightweight and very stiff.