Alexei Volkov
Packaging art prints can be a challenge, especially when trying to avoid plastic. Plastic is often used to protect prints from moisture, but there are other ways to ensure your artwork arrives in pristine condition. Firstly, choose the right envelope or packaging for the size of your print. For smaller prints, a flat envelope or rigid mailer is ideal, while for larger prints, a mailing tube or box may be necessary. Next, consider using a protective covering such as archival paper, parchment paper, or glassine paper to prevent smudging or scratching. Then, use cardboard or chipboard backing sheets to prevent bending, and finally, seal your package securely with quality tape. With these steps, you can package your art prints without plastic and ensure they arrive safely and undamaged.
How to package art prints without plastic:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Envelope type | "Do Not Bend" envelopes with cardboard backing, rigid mailers, cardboard folders, mailing tubes, or boxes |
| Envelope material | Cardboard, corrugated cardboard, hardboard, kraft paper, archival paper (Tyvek or Glassine) |
| Seal | Adhesive strip, tape (packaging tape, Scotch blue painter's tape) |
| Stickers | "Do Not Bend", handmade |
| Inner covering | Kraft paper, archival paper (Tyvek or Glassine), parchment paper, waxed paper, foam board |
| Filler | Balled-up tissue, parchment paper |
| Other | Single-walled or double-walled cardboard pads, chipboard sheets, cardboard backing sheet |
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What You'll Learn
Use cardboard backing and envelopes
When packaging art prints, cardboard backing and envelopes are a great way to ensure your prints are protected without using plastic. Firstly, source a sheet of stiff cardboard or chipboard that is the same size as your print or slightly larger. You can purchase chipboard sheets from a packing supply store or craft store, or cut your own backing sheets from old cardboard boxes with a precision knife.
Next, you'll want to choose the right envelope for your print. For smaller prints, a flat mailer is ideal. Ensure the envelope is rigid and stiff enough not to bend easily. Seal the envelope with an adhesive strip and, for extra security, add some packaging tape across the flap. You can also purchase envelopes that already have "Do Not Bend" printed on them, or add a sticker or stamp to alert mail handlers to take extra care.
If your print is extra-large or poster-sized, it's best to roll it up and package it in a tube. Look for a mailing tube that's slightly longer than the shortest edge of your print. When rolling your print, first fold archival paper, such as Glassine, over the top and bottom of the print to provide extra protection along the edges. Then, carefully roll the print up inside the paper.
For added protection, you can also place your print inside a clear biodegradable cornstarch sleeve or cello bag before inserting it into the envelope or tube. Seal the sleeve with the print inside, ensuring the adhesive seal is on the opposite side from the front of the print.
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Seal prints in plastic sleeves
Plastic sleeves are a great way to package art prints for shipping. They are easily available online, at shipping supply stores, or arts and crafts stores. When purchasing plastic sleeves, look for bags that are labelled "Acid Free" and "Archival Safe".
To seal prints in plastic sleeves, first cut a sheet of stiff cardboard or chipboard that is the same size as your print or slightly larger. Then, carefully slide your print into the plastic sleeve with the design facing outwards. Ensure that the adhesive seal is on the opposite side of the front of the print. Next, place the cardboard backing sheet behind the print and seal the sleeve with the print and cardboard inside.
For extra protection, you can use a single-walled or double-walled corrugated cardboard pad as the backing sheet. This provides an additional layer of protection and a neat presentation upon opening. Make sure to use quality tape to secure the four sides of the cardboard and print together.
Finally, place the sealed plastic sleeve containing the print into a rigid mailing envelope. Seal the envelope with the adhesive strip and add packaging tape across the back flap for extra security. Label the envelope with a "Do Not Bend" sticker or stamp to ensure that mail handlers take extra care with your package.
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Use mailing tubes for large prints
Mailing tubes are a common way to ship large prints, posters, or other artworks that can be rolled without risking damage. This method is ideal for large artwork that won't fit in an envelope. Here are some steps to effectively pack art in a mailing tube:
First, ensure your artwork is clean, dry, and free from any debris. Then, place a protective sheet, such as archival paper (like Tyvek or Glassine), over the surface of your print to prevent smudging or scratching during transit. You can also use parchment or waxed paper for this purpose. Fold the ends of the paper over the top and bottom of the print to provide extra protection along the edges. If you're shipping multiple prints in one tube, layer sheets of craft or archival paper between each print to protect them from damaging each other.
Next, carefully roll up your print inside the protective paper, starting from one of the short edges. Make sure the print is rolled tightly and securely, so it doesn't unroll during transit. Then, place the rolled-up print inside the mailing tube. The tube should be slightly longer than the shortest edge of your print to ensure a proper fit.
Finally, seal the mailing tube securely with strong packaging tape to prevent it from opening during transit. You can also add a “Do Not Bend” sticker or stamp on the outside of the tube to help ensure that mail handlers take extra care with your package.
Using mailing tubes for large prints is a safe and economical way to package and ship your artwork, ensuring that your delicate art arrives in pristine condition.
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Use biodegradable corn starch sleeves
When packaging art prints, it is important to ensure that they are protected from damage, moisture, and bending. One way to achieve this without using plastic is to use biodegradable corn starch sleeves. These sleeves are made from annually renewable corn and other sugar starches, and they are fully compostable and biodegradable. Here are some tips on how to use corn starch sleeves to package your art prints:
First, measure your print to determine the appropriate sleeve size. You can purchase corn starch sleeves online or from specialty stores. Make sure to select a size that is slightly larger than your print to ensure a proper fit. Slide your print into the corn starch sleeve, ensuring that the design is facing out. You can also include a cardboard backing sheet, such as greyboard or hardboard, for added stiffness and protection. This will help prevent your print from bending during shipping.
After inserting the print, seal the sleeve securely. You can use a sticker or a piece of tape to close the opening. If you're using a rigid mailing envelope, insert the sealed sleeve and print into the envelope and seal it with the adhesive strip. For extra security, add packaging tape across the back flap of the envelope. Label the package with a "Do Not Bend" sticker or stamp to ensure that mail handlers take extra care in handling your artwork.
When using corn starch sleeves, it's important to note that they may have a limited shelf life. Some users have reported that the sleeves can start to weaken after about a year, so they are more suitable for short-term use. Corn starch sleeves are a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic sleeves, but they may not offer the same level of long-term protection. However, by following the above steps and combining corn starch sleeves with sturdy backing and appropriate packaging, you can safely ship your art prints while reducing your plastic consumption.
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Use glassine or Tyvek archival paper
If you want to avoid using plastic when packaging your art prints, you can use archival paper such as Tyvek or Glassine. These papers are specially designed to protect delicate art and prints, but they are more expensive than basic Kraft paper.
Before you start rolling the print, fold the archival paper up and over the two shorter edges of the print. This will provide some extra protection along the edges, which can easily get bent or torn during the packaging and shipping process. If you are shipping multiple prints in one tube, protect them from damaging each other by layering sheets of archival paper between each print.
Then, carefully roll the print up inside the archival paper, starting from one of the short edges. You can also use archival paper for flat prints that are shipped in envelopes. Place a sheet of archival paper over the surface of the print to prevent smudging or scratching during transit. If you are sending multiple prints in the same envelope, cover each one individually so that paint or ink doesn't rub off or stick to the other artworks.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use cardboard envelopes, folders, or boxes. If you're packaging a poster or larger print, you can roll it up and package it in a tube.
You can use archival paper such as Tyvek or Glassine to protect your prints. Place the print in the centre of the paper and fold the ends over the top and bottom. Then, carefully roll up the print inside the paper.
You can use biodegradable cornstarch sleeves or paper envelopes with "Do Not Bend" printed on them. You can also use cardboard backing to prevent bending.
