Shipping prints, matted prints and framed prints.
There are multiple posts about similar subjects, but none address mine specifically. My biggest hindrance to selling my photography online has been shipping. How to do it and how much it costs. Right now, I am mostly interested in how to do it. I am leaning towards sandwiching simple prints, matted prints, and framed prints, (everything) between two sheets of 1/8 inch hardboard. A 4' x 8' sheet is $14 at Home Depot. I plan to use glassine paper on both sides to protect the print, matted print, or framed print. I suppose a layer of bubble wrap on the latter would be a good idea. I haven't figured out exactly how I will stabilize any of the above. Nor have I figured out what to use and how I will wrap it all up. For everything, but the framed print, I thought, maybe using craft tape to tape the hard board pieces together. I haven't figured out how to connect the two pieces of hardboard for the framed print. If anybody has any ideas, I would appreciate it.
Another option is to ship unmounted prints rolled up in a tube.
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Jklovell wrote:
There are multiple posts about similar subjects, but none address mine specifically. My biggest hindrance to selling my photography online has been shipping. How to do it and how much it costs. Right now, I am mostly interested in how to do it. I am leaning towards sandwiching simple prints, matted prints, and framed prints, (everything) between two sheets of 1/8 inch hardboard. A 4' x 8' sheet is $14 at Home Depot. I plan to use glassine paper on both sides to protect the print, matted print, or framed print. I suppose a layer of bubble wrap on the latter would be a good idea. I haven't figured out exactly how I will stabilize any of the above. Nor have I figured out what to use and how I will wrap it all up. For everything, but the framed print, I thought, maybe using craft tape to tape the hard board pieces together. I haven't figured out how to connect the two pieces of hardboard for the framed print. If anybody has any ideas, I would appreciate it.
There are multiple posts about similar subjects, b... (
show quote)
Uline.com makes many products that would help you out. On shipping try GROUND ADVANTAGE through USPS. You could save some bucks using this service for anything under 70 lbs.
The prints I receive from the printer in SLC is wrapped in a plastic print bag, then sandwiched between two sheets of very sturdy cardboard. That would be a lot cheaper (and lighter) than hardboard and easier to handle.
AzPicLady wrote:
The prints I receive from the printer in SLC is wrapped in a plastic print bag, then sandwiched between two sheets of very sturdy cardboard. That would be a lot cheaper (and lighter) than hardboard and easier to handle.
And mark "PHOTOGRAPH - DO MOT BEND".
Longshadow wrote:
And mark "PHOTOGRAPH - DO MOT BEND".
From the wadded up and creased packages that I sometimes find forced into my curbside mailbox, that would seem to be surefire way to get it bent double.
Alafoto wrote:
From the wadded up and creased packages that I sometimes find forced into my curbside mailbox, that would seem to be surefire way to get it bent double.
Are the bent ones marked not to be bent? I'll guess not.
Maybe the carrier companies should do a psych profile before they hire people.
MOST would acknowledge the request.
Sounds like you might be very tempted.......
TriX
Loc: Raleigh, NC
I have Bay photo print any for sale photos and ship directly to the customer. My experience is they pack extremely well, and if the print is damaged in shipping, they replace it immediately. Problem solved.
Jklovell wrote:
There are multiple posts about similar subjects, but none address mine specifically. My biggest hindrance to selling my photography online has been shipping. How to do it and how much it costs. Right now, I am mostly interested in how to do it. I am leaning towards sandwiching simple prints, matted prints, and framed prints, (everything) between two sheets of 1/8 inch hardboard. A 4' x 8' sheet is $14 at Home Depot. I plan to use glassine paper on both sides to protect the print, matted print, or framed print. I suppose a layer of bubble wrap on the latter would be a good idea. I haven't figured out exactly how I will stabilize any of the above. Nor have I figured out what to use and how I will wrap it all up. For everything, but the framed print, I thought, maybe using craft tape to tape the hard board pieces together. I haven't figured out how to connect the two pieces of hardboard for the framed print. If anybody has any ideas, I would appreciate it.
There are multiple posts about similar subjects, b... (
show quote)
I do exactly the same with the cheap hardboard. I also save styrofoam pieces and cut them to form a border around the piece. I cut the paneling 1.5 inches larger and insert the styrofoam strips (cut at 3/4")
around the perimeter of the piece, then use packing tape to firm-up around the edge, making it brick-solid. Then wrap from there. I've shipped all over the US no problema. AFA single prints, the Bay Photo idea works well!
If you are shipping via UPS, a UPS store will be able to pack it for you. They will charge you but it is done well.
Hardboard 2" larger than the print will protect a package from corner damage and bending.
The matted print needs to be wrapped in plastic . You can use 1 layer of hardboard on one side and 2 layers of cardboard on the other to save weight. For framed prints you can do a similar thing with 2 layers of Hardboard separated by 2" wide strips of rigid foam insulation and bubble wrap around the print.
Heavy duty tape on the outside.
You can buy professional Art Mailer boxes and add a shipping charge.
Shipping is a risk, Insure it.
And mark "PHOTOGRAPH - DO NOT BEND".
Yes , modern electronics are smart and capable but they haven't been taught to read customers hand written notes and advisories on the outside of parcels.
The post office has a service for fragile items and a special label for such, but it is an extra cost service.
Writing "Fragile - Handle With Care" on the package doesn't get you anywhere with any of the shipping companies modern electronic sorting equipment.
When UPS (yes the brown trucks) was a young company, I worked for them as a sorter/handler. It's amazing they survived, "Fragile" meant throw it harder and farther!
rwww80a wrote:
And mark "PHOTOGRAPH - DO NOT BEND".
Yes , modern electronics are smart and capable but they haven't been taught to read customers hand written notes and advisories on the outside of parcels.
The post office has a service for fragile items and a special label for such, but it is an extra cost service.
Writing "Fragile - Handle With Care" on the package doesn't get you anywhere with any of the shipping companies modern electronic sorting equipment.
When UPS (yes the brown trucks) was a young company, I worked for them as a sorter/handler. It's amazing they survived, "Fragile" meant throw it harder and farther!
And mark "PHOTOGRAPH - DO NOT BEND". br ... (
show quote)
I've often suspected that marking something "Fragile" might trigger a psycho worker. Didn't know it was actually a thing.
Jklovell wrote:
There are multiple posts about similar subjects, but none address mine specifically. My biggest hindrance to selling my photography online has been shipping. How to do it and how much it costs. Right now, I am mostly interested in how to do it. I am leaning towards sandwiching simple prints, matted prints, and framed prints, (everything) between two sheets of 1/8 inch hardboard. A 4' x 8' sheet is $14 at Home Depot. I plan to use glassine paper on both sides to protect the print, matted print, or framed print. I suppose a layer of bubble wrap on the latter would be a good idea. I haven't figured out exactly how I will stabilize any of the above. Nor have I figured out what to use and how I will wrap it all up. For everything, but the framed print, I thought, maybe using craft tape to tape the hard board pieces together. I haven't figured out how to connect the two pieces of hardboard for the framed print. If anybody has any ideas, I would appreciate it.
There are multiple posts about similar subjects, b... (
show quote)
If you do not want to sell prints unmatted, you could cut a flexible mat (of a standard frame size) and hinge the print in position via appropriate tape. We used mailing tubes a lot in the art department where I worked (last century), and there were no complaints of damage to contents.
When we had to send something large and flat, we tried very hard to get a salesman to make a call on the customer. Bubble wrap was the best interior protection layer no matter how the art was shipped.
Boris
bdk
Loc: Sanibel Fl.
I put two layers of heavy cardboard over the print.
Then wrap the print in bubble wrap. Wrap it, do not put the print in the box and then put bubble wrap on top of it....as the bottom isnt protected. Then I put some masking tape over the bubble wrap to hold it in place.
Ive never had any problems. Now weigh it, then go on line to the postoffice and you can get an approx price to mail it . or go to UPS website.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.