Recommendations for where to get packing materials for large framed prints.

Can anyone recommend a good source for packing materials for large framed prints. I am finishing up a job for a commercial customer and I would like to package the large framed prints for safe delivery. I will probably deliver them myself but I would like them to be protected until hung and also I just want things to look professional since I am hoping a bigger contract comes out of this one.

Thanks

I suggest checking in your yellow pages for shipping materials or perhaps boxes. I was able to find a good wholesale packing materials supplier here in Denver and have been using them for a while. I think there are similar suppliers in any city and it sure beats the shipping costs of getting the stuff online, as it is all heavy and/or bulky.

Thanks, Paul. I live about 25 miles west of Chicago so we should have suppliers. But I was hoping to find a supplier who specializes in this type of packaging. I know there is such a business because I actaully saw their catalog long ago but I can't remember who they were. (It's not Light Impressions.) They had general packing materials too but they had a specialty section for boxes and packing for art including framed prints.

Hi, there is company called Uline (uline.com) that has packaging supplies.

Jon

packing materials

TK Projects (Tom Kedzie) is who I buy pre-perfed cardboard shipping protective corner covers from, in the Chicago suburbs somewhere.

I have an 800 number for hiim- let me know if hard for you to locate.

I have seen reusable shipping containers somewhere but I've never been able to justify the cost myself.

I have seen nice DIY shippers that come from a company I buy linen liners from. They basically 45 degree miter 1x2" lumber and nail them together like a picture frame. Top & bottom get 1/4" plywood, 1/8"melamine or masonite.

For stuff I or customer delivers with reasonable care (doesn't leave your control), I use the preformed cardboard corners and cut cardboard sheet to fit the framed art. Front only or front & back, put corners over the 'sandwich' and tape to the cardboard sheet to prevent coming off during transit.

ULINE has smaller boxes suitable for framed art too. The sizes I 've seen have never been practical for me because they tend to be 'standard' which I rarely see in practice. Take a 'standard size' photo and mat it and it's not standard anymore.

Some suppliers call these 'one-piece folders'.

There is also a flexible form of corrugated cardboard that comes on rolls. Comes plain or (no idea where to get this) precoated with rubber cement, roll & stick after wrapping around the object.

A box making company might be able to sell you flat sheets or roll material, depending on quantity you need. I had to buy a 500 sheet flat...took too long to use up.

A shipping/packing place might be able to help you with quantities smaller than the box maker, if the 'standard size' ones don't work for you.

Get some masontie and 1x2's. Stack the 1x2 to desired height. Drill, screw and glue together. Pad interior with a soft foam and line with a fleece lining. Paint the side with a nice gloss or flat paint. Cheap to make, looks nice and protect your artwork.

The only problem I had with the 1x2 & masonite was trying to do it with a saw horse and jig saw...I spent more time than I would have saved moneywise having a 3rd party shipper do it....

kjsphoto said:

Get some masontie and 1x2's. Stack the 1x2 to desired height. Drill, screw and glue together. Pad interior with a soft foam and line with a fleece lining. Paint the side with a nice gloss or flat paint. Cheap to make, looks nice and protect your artwork.

Click to expand...

That's pretty close to what I do, except I go for the 2" x 2", because they are 1-1/2" square. There's a little bit more room for the bubble wrap or packing for some extra cushioning.