Packing 24" x 30" prints to go as checked bags on international flight.

[KirbyKrieger]

Hi.  Anyone have any suggestions for a successful way to package three 24" x 30" prints so that a buyer can check them as baggage?  The prints are on medium-heavy stock (Epson Hot Press matte paper:  18 mil, 330 g/m^2).

I assume a very stiff roll might work.  Prob. need c. 6" in diameter.  Where to get?

Is glassine OK for interleaving?  Are prints rolled print-side out, or print-side in?

Thanks.

[jferrari]

Several of your questions are answered here.

[KirbyKrieger]

Perfect!

Thank you jferrari  .

[Colorado David]

How about PVC pipe with two end caps from Home Depot?

[jferrari]

Thinking outside the box, what about something like this?

It's reusable, rugged, easy to carry, blends in with other luggage and may be easier than cardboard or PVC if the TSA wants to inspect the contents. Not really that expensive either.    - Jim

[KirbyKrieger]

How about PVC pipe with two end caps from Home Depot?

Brilliant, me thinks.  Prob. what I'll do.

The fly-fish-rod case (see other response) is tempting, but it's only 4" diameter and I'd like 6".

Thanks for the suggestion    .

[Colorado David]

I carried an O'Connor 50 tripod and head, which aren't light by any stretch, for years as airline checked baggage in a PVC pipe with end caps.  It probably took fifteen years for the baggage handlers to break it.  I have another hard (not as hard as PVC) plastic tripod case that's survived now for twenty years.  This one is actually a tripod case and costs more than a bit of PVC from the home center.  I can't remember the name of it and the logo has long since worn off.

[Colorado David]

Here's an option; http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/17656-REG/Fiberbilt_by_Case_Design_FBP50805_P508_Adjustable_Tripod_Case.html

Still costs more than a PPVC Pipe.

[Ken Doo]

Thinking outside the box, what about something like this?

It's reusable, rugged, easy to carry, blends in with other luggage and may be easier than cardboard or PVC if the TSA wants to inspect the contents. Not really that expensive either.    - Jim

Nice idea.  If they add "photo or print case" to the product title offering, they would jack up the price by a hundred or so.   

[KirbyKrieger]

Went with 6" PVC pipe with end caps.

Purchased 10' of pipe and cut it to length on a table saw.
Each cap is made from an externally-mounted adapter and a screw-in top.  (Done this way so there is nothing in the way when sliding rolled prints in or out.)
Final "case" is 8" diameter and 32" long.  Indestructible.

Thanks for all the input.

[Colorado David]

When referring to airline baggage handlers, indestructible is a relative term.     I'm sure it will be since there is almost no weight inside.  Good luck with it.  How much were the materials?

[KirbyKrieger]

When referring to airline baggage handlers, indestructible is a relative term.     I'm sure it will be since there is almost no weight inside.  Good luck with it.  How much were the materials?

I habitually exceed design requirements.     I'd guess that if I built ten of these, and threw them all off a ten-story building, about half would crack and in no cases would the prints be damaged.

Cost:
10' of 6" diameter PVC pipe:  $42.50.  Used only 30", cut on table saw.
2 pc of 6" diameter threaded adapters: $23.50.
2 pc of 6" diameter threaded clean-out plugs:  $10.00
TOTAL: $76

Way overbuilt for mailing, but just "overbuilt" for going as checked baggage.