Packing prints for shipping

[larkis]

Which is your preferred method for packing and shipping large photographic prints? I have been packing my photographs which are 24x30 together with acid free foamcore wrapped in a crystal-clear bag (and then boxed in cardboard). This keeps the image flat and has a nicer presentation when a customer receives and opens the package. I've had more of a predicament to do the same with my 34x44 images as the object is quite large and not everyone can fit it into their car to take to a framer (although they would have the same issue picking up a frame with that size image if the framer does not deliver).

My hesitation with tubes is that people can damage the image after receiving it, especially when they try to take it out to inspect it and roll it back up. Receiving a tube for a fairly expensive purchase is also less "striking" than a flat image that can be enjoyed even before framing.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[mearussi]

I first put my print in a clear plastic bag then put in a tube. A tube protects the print far batter than shipping it flat.

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[wickedweather]

Which is your preferred method for packing and shipping large photographic prints? I have been packing my photographs which are 24x30 together with acid free foamcore wrapped in a crystal-clear bag (and then boxed in cardboard). This keeps the image flat and has a nicer presentation when a customer receives and opens the package. I've had more of a predicament to do the same with my 34x44 images as the object is quite large and not everyone can fit it into their car to take to a framer (although they would have the same issue picking up a frame with that size image if the framer does not deliver).

My hesitation with tubes is that people can damage the image after receiving it, especially when they try to take it out to inspect it and roll it back up. Receiving a tube for a fairly expensive purchase is also less "striking" than a flat image that can be enjoyed even before framing.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Are you printing on an alpha cellulose base or a cotton rag base or similar?
I have found that it is much easier to damage alpha cellulose papers specifically when trying to get the curl out vs a cotton rag or something from the Hahnemuhle natural line.

I agree with you about presentation but I have to think the risk of damage is significantly greater when the photographs are flat. The tubes are much more durable.

[dgberg]

We ship in tubes and boxes. Hahnemuhle Fine Art Baryta does not like a tight curl at all. I have 3" tubes and they are not big enough. I tell clients to take directly to the framer and do not handle as it is so easy for a non experienced person to do damage. I am so happy 75% of our work is picked up.

[wickedweather]

We ship in tubes and boxes. Hahnemuhle Fine Art Baryta does not like a tight curl at all. I have 3" tubes and they are not big enough. I tell clients to take directly to the framer and do not handle as it is so easy for a non experienced person to do damage. I am so happy 75% of our work is picked up.

Dan,

That's one of the papers that I was thinking of when I posted my response. Along with HM Fineart Baryta Satin. I've had to limit my sizes to 17X22 sheets with that paper because de curling it is so difficult. If Red River Palo Duro Soft Gloss Rag carried the same cache as Hahnemuhle I'd print with that all day.

Jake

[larkis]

Do you guys roll the print with the image inwards or outwards? I guess one of the methods would jam the print in the tube a little more as the image would want to uncurl more back to it's "off the print roll" state.

[mearussi]

Do you guys roll the print with the image inwards or outwards? I guess one of the methods would jam the print in the tube a little more as the image would want to uncurl more back to it's "off the print roll" state.

The print has a natural curl which is image facing out. If you try to roll it with the image inside you take the risk of kinking the print as you're forcing it to go against its natural curl.

This is one of two reasons I put the print inside of a plastic bag first, to prevent the print being damaged by scraping the inside of the shipping box (the other reason is to protect it from possible water damage). Also by choosing a bag diameter smaller than the inside of the box, you're not jamming the print into the box as you're first forcing the print into a smaller diameter inside the bag.

This technique is also a very good way of storing a print for a long period of time as it's very protective.

[fdi]

Since I own a picture frame company I ship thousands of frames a month. If I could roll up our frames in a tube for shipment I would! Large flat boxes are fairly easy to damage in shipping and that is where most of our damages occur. Of course in some cases it will not matter how you pack it, even if crated it can still get damaged. Custom framers can handle rolled prints. They can leave them weighted to flatten over time or probably have a de-roller if the customer is in a rush. I like the advice of asking the customer to bring it to the framer for unpacking.