Packaging of pictures to go with a carrier

[Hayend]

For the first time I am doing an order which I need to send by carrier, and I was wondering how most of you pack pictures for this? I have seen that Lion do special boxes but at quite a price. I have five to send with the largest being about 60x50cm.

I see there is a lot of talk about carriers so I will have a read through that for ideas on who to use.

Many thanks

[Grahame Case]

our first framed picture that is too large for these "Pack A Frame" thingymajigs is about to be sent,

(3ft by 2ft)

what i've done is put cardboard corners on it, hot glued a bit of Corricor on the glass wrapped it three times with bubble wrap, put larger cardboard corners on and then wrapped with brown paper.

held together with copious quantities of "FRAGILE" tape and marked extensively as "GLASS PLEASE HANDLE WITH CARE"

hopefully it will arrive without incident, it is all about picking a careful carrier too,

[Vix]

Hi Hayden,

I actually manufacture the PACKaFRAME picture shipping box and would be happy to supply you with details and current prices if you would like them.

Currently our prices are at a more competative rate than other similar products on the market due to the fact that we now supply direct to the customer therefore cutting out any middlemen.

Our large box should be big enough to fit your frames but we can manufacture to bespoke sizes too.

Anyway hope this helps.

[Grahame Case]

Hi Hayden,

I actually manufacture the PACKaFRAME picture shipping box and would be happy to supply you with details and current prices if you would like them.

Currently our prices are at a more competative rate than other similar products on the market due to the fact that we now supply direct to the customer therefore cutting out any middlemen.

Our large box should be big enough to fit your frames but we can manufacture to bespoke sizes too.

Anyway hope this helps.

*puts his hand ups*

could you supply us with the above please?

we bought ours from Lion when they used to distribute them, and find them mighty expensive to justify using, so have sat in our cupboard.

[realhotglass]

Also, tape the billy-o out of the glass. /// \\\ |||| ====
Will dampen vibrations, and keep glass together (hopefully preventing damage to the art in event of breakage).

We ship a lot, recycle a LOT of bike boxes from the local retailer, as well as having our own boxes custom made in various sizes.
Bike boxes are great for first carton, especially flat-ish items), and (if you can justify the time) double box.

Isolated items in the centre of the box, ditto double box.
We use foam in bag packing, which is excellent for this, but pricey (see also comment at bottom re Grahams box use problems, applies even more to foam packs).

Extra cardboard layers inside is also a good idea for stiffening up the base and sides.
I include a lot of floating second floors in my cartons, and IF the carriers keep it right way up (as labelled) this dampens their speed hump / pothole / slight dropping mishaps.

One thing I have found is having goods arrive undamaged is in reality down to LUCK !!
Even the best carriers can and do stuff up (one bad egg in the line is all it takes to muck up a good system) . . . over engineer packaging, label the he77 out of it, cross your fingers, and all is probably going to go well.

Re cartons and other expensive materials for packing . . .

"and find them mighty expensive to justify using, so have sat in our cupboard."

I have the same problem Graham, even though the mind set costs me occasionally and I KNOW this ! : )

[Paul Hardy]

If we make a shipping case, the 6' x 8' polystyrene insulating sheets from builders' merchants are very useful for the lining.

Paul Hardy
http://www.sudbury-picture-frames.co.uk