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

[ZoneIII]

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

 

[Paul Sorensen]

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.

 

[ZoneIII]

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.

 

[Jon Shiu]

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

Jon

 

[Murray@uptowngallery]

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.

 

[kjsphoto]

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.

 

[Murray@uptowngallery]

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....

 

[Joe Lipka]

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.

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.