Shipping a Fiber Based Print - Rolled Or Flat?

[mtbbrian]

I need to ship a print, so that the person I did the portrait of can write some text on it and then send back to me.
The print is 16''x20'' and is on fiber based paper.
For the ease of shipping and handling on the part of the person I am sending it to, I am not sure if I should send it flat in an envelope or whatever or if I should send it rolled up in a tube.
I have the time and stuff available to flatten the print back out.

Thoughts, Suggestions?
Thanks!
Brian

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

In that format, I like to ship flat. For an unmounted print, the print goes in a protective sleeve, sleeve is taped to an oversize corrugated cardboard sheet, another sheet of corrugated cardboard behind that, two sheets on top, tape it up and ship. West Coast Imaging ships this way, but with the four sheets in a fitted cardboard box.

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

Should prints above that size be sent in a tube? I have a couple large prints that will soon be done and need to be mailed, both probably near double that size.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Dead Link Removed

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I don't usually print big, but WCI goes up to 20x24" flat, I think (check westcoastimaging.com--they have a page about their packing methods), and larger than that they roll the print in a sleeve on the outside of a tube, roll bubble wrap around the print, and then ship the whole thing in a long box.

 

[Vaughn]

My choice would be to ship it flat -- probably in a 16x20 photopaper box...with a extra piece or two of carboard in the box (print in a plactic bag). Sounds like a curled print would be a hassle for the person receiving it -- they have to find a flat place to store it awhile for the paper to relax before doing the wording.

If you do it the way David suggests, alter the orientation of the cardboard for max. strength.

Gorden, a 20x32 print could still be shipped David's way -- tho you might want to go with 6 pieces of cardboard (again, alternate the orientation of the board).

Tubes are fine -- but thicker paper is a hassle to work with if they maintain the curl. I have seen tubes crushed, also. If you go this way, it might be a good idea to roll the prints up in a smaller diameter than the tube -- that might save the print if the tube gets slightly chrushed.

Vaughn

 

[plummerl]

I've had better luck using foam board, rather than cardboard. It is a bit stronger in both directions, unlike cardboard.

larry

 

[wfe]

Flat

Cheers,
Bill

 

[mtbbrian]

Flat

Cheers,
Bill

Is that your final answer Bill?
:rolleyes:
Thanks everyone!
Brian

 

[tim_walls]

Cool, I came here to start this very thread (I've got to ship an 11x14" and a couple of 10x8"s, all FB, across the Atlantic,) and it's already been answered... thanks everyone .