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Author Topic: How do you package and ship your prints?  (Read 4178 times)

davewolfs

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How do you package and ship your prints?
« on: June 13, 2009, 01:20:45 pm »

Hello everyone,

I just got my first order for prints and will have to ship them.  I'd like to know how some of you send your prints out.  They will be handling the framing and matting so I'm just sending the print itself which will be done on Satin paper.

Any tips on how the prints should be packaged would be appreciated.  I was thinking some small cardboard boxes that were separated by glassine sheets as seen here: http://apps.webcreate.com/ecom/catalog/pro...ProductID=21276

Unfortunately I'd like to pick something up locally today   So any advice is appreciated.

Dave
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brianrybolt

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How do you package and ship your prints?
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2009, 01:50:50 pm »

Quote from: davewolfs
Hello everyone,

I just got my first order for prints and will have to ship them.  I'd like to know how some of you send your prints out.  They will be handling the framing and matting so I'm just sending the print itself which will be done on Satin paper.

Any tips on how the prints should be packaged would be appreciated.  I was thinking some small cardboard boxes that were separated by glassine sheets as seen here: http://apps.webcreate.com/ecom/catalog/pro...ProductID=21276

Unfortunately I'd like to pick something up locally today   So any advice is appreciated.

Dave
Depends upon the size & amount of prints your sending. . .   I use either 4, 5, or 6 inch inside diameter mailing tubes.  They have survived both the USA & English postal systems!  My tubes have a 3.5 mm wall thickness and I suggest you don't use anything thinner.

good luck,

Brian

jasonrandolph

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How do you package and ship your prints?
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2009, 02:23:15 pm »

Check out the current issue of Photo Techniques.  Ctein has an article on just this subject.

JimBobTX

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How do you package and ship your prints?
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2009, 02:44:30 pm »

Quote from: brianrybolt
Depends upon the size & amount of prints your sending. . .   I use either 4, 5, or 6 inch inside diameter mailing tubes.  They have survived both the USA & English postal systems!  My tubes have a 3.5 mm wall thickness and I suggest you don't use anything thinner.

good luck,

Brian

Dave,
In addition to using a tube as Brian mentions, I roll the print around a smaller tube, using interleaving paper (paper like you have in your link) as I roll it, and covering the outer surface of the print in the tube, then put it in the tube and use some lightweight paper crumpled up at both ends to keep the inner tube ends safer. It is also safer to put the print and inner tube in a plastic bag taped closed, before you seal it in the outer tube--just in case in rains and the outer tube gets wet during shipment. Wrapping the print around an inner tube helps to keep it from getting crushed or dented inside the outer tube. I've shipped this way from the States to Europe with no problems.

Jim
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bill t.

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How do you package and ship your prints?
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2009, 02:44:43 pm »

I buy 4" diameter tubes from the local company that mostly supplies bubble wrap and other shipping supplies.  They happily cut them to length and supply plastic caps.  About 1/4" thick walls protect from just about anything, as Brian pointed out go for thickness.  You can apply a large piece of tissue or other roll paper to your print before rolling it up.  Always best to roll up on a smaller diameter tube, the will expand once inserted inside your shipping tube. Avoid diameters below 3" as they will put a curl on you art that is hard to remove.  If you use really large diameter tubes your print might collapse inward, so stuff the air space with crunched up paper.

Would really not want to use anything flat.  But if absolutely necessary get Lowes etc to cut up a piece of dirt-cheap 1/8" Masonite just a little bigger than your print, wrap your print in paper, then tape that to the Masonite.  Top the exposed side with some cardboard.
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dct123

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How do you package and ship your prints?
« Reply #5 on: June 16, 2009, 03:38:25 pm »

Quote from: davewolfs
Hello everyone,

I just got my first order for prints and will have to ship them.  I'd like to know how some of you send your prints out.  They will be handling the framing and matting so I'm just sending the print itself which will be done on Satin paper.

Any tips on how the prints should be packaged would be appreciated.  I was thinking some small cardboard boxes that were separated by glassine sheets as seen here: http://apps.webcreate.com/ecom/catalog/pro...ProductID=21276

Unfortunately I'd like to pick something up locally today   So any advice is appreciated.

Dave

Here's an excellent source for shipping supplies:

http://www.uline.com/

Uline usually ships the same day. I receive my order the next afternoon (In Northen california). They stock every kind of shipping material and tools you'll ever need.

Just a word of caution about shipping prints in a tube....Most of my clients want their prints shipped flat so they don't have curl to contend with when mounting. This method costs more to ship than in a tube, but they don't seem to mind the extra cost. Canvas can be rolled (face out) and shipped in a tube with no adverse effect. I use inexpensive 32 Lb. plain paper printer roll material for interleaving. Also, remember to let the prints dry and cure sufficiently before packaging. I allow DesignJet Dye prints 48 hours, and DesignJet Pigment prints 24 hours time in an air drying rack (No heat), before packing and shipping.

If you're located in the US, in most cases I find that the USPS is the most reasonable way to ship. Get a USPS scale ($35) and print your own shipping labels. You'll get a discount on shipping cost, free tracking and insurance, and the mailperson will pick up your packages at your home or business.

Hope this helps you,
DC
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neile

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How do you package and ship your prints?
« Reply #6 on: June 18, 2009, 12:57:26 am »

I'll second the recommendation for uline if you do a lot of shipping. I got a set of boxes that are perfectly sized for the folio covers I sell. And, USPS is great. I can print the labels out on my computer and schedule carrier pickup, then leave them on my porch. No need to go to the post office!

Clearbags (www.clearbags.com) is also a good source if you want protective bags to surround your prints. I haven't yet found a good source for interleaving paper, however. Light Impressions Direct is useless, as everything is always backordered

Neil
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Neil Enns
Dane Creek Folio Covers. Limited edition Tuscan Sun and Citron covers are now in stock!

mikev1

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How do you package and ship your prints?
« Reply #7 on: June 18, 2009, 02:13:39 am »

Quote from: pearlstreet
Try http://www.talasonline.com for the interleaving paper.
Uline sells glassine as well.
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neile

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How do you package and ship your prints?
« Reply #8 on: June 18, 2009, 11:26:55 am »

Quote from: mikev1
Uline sells glassine as well.

I didn't see any sheets of glassine for sale at Uline. The Tals only had it in a few of the sizes I was looking for

Neil
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Neil Enns
Dane Creek Folio Covers. Limited edition Tuscan Sun and Citron covers are now in stock!

mikev1

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How do you package and ship your prints?
« Reply #9 on: June 18, 2009, 11:47:48 am »

Quote from: neile
I didn't see any sheets of glassine for sale at Uline. The Tals only had it in a few of the sizes I was looking for

Neil
http://www.uline.ca/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?model=S-12942

Here is the direct link.  I ordered it from the Canadian site.  I can't image that the U.S. site wouldn't have it.  This is a roll and it is easy to cut it to size plus it folds really well too.
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