Sending prints can be a daunting task. you want to make sure your art arrives safe and sound, but you don’t want to spend a fortune. I’ll show you how to send art prints the easy way.
The safest way to ship art prints is in a mailing tube, one with a poly liner. To ship a flat print, first, slide the print into a self-sealing cellophane bag, then flatten it between two backing boards. place it snugly in a mailing box and tape everything together.
Here are some tips to help you ship your art prints so they arrive in perfect condition.
(I earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. However, I only promote products that I like and recommend)
how to package art prints for shipment
kerching! you got a notification and made a sale – woohoo! the first of many without a doubt, and all you have to do is send it. easy
what could go wrong? well, it could be…
- crushed
- bent
- wrinkled
- wet
- lost
If something can go wrong, believe me, it will go wrong in the end. the best thing you can do is limit the problem by preparing for all eventualities.
When submitting art prints, it’s important to use the correct materials. you will need some basic office supplies. (amazon affiliate links)
- craft knife
- cutting mat
- packing tape< /li
- self-sealing cellophane wrappers
- poly bags
- postal tubes, envelopes with cardboard, or cardboard envelopes
- metal ruler
there are some optional extras. I like to weigh my packages on a kitchen scale myself, address my own labels and have a roll of custom statement stickers on hand, as well as some sheets of airmail stickers.
Okay, let’s start with the basics.
how big is your font?
This is significant because it will determine your shipping costs. if you do this wrong, you will lose your profits, especially if you export it abroad.
Your postal company will calculate the costs by weight and size. if your print is too well packaged or too large, you will tip the price scale and pay a high price for your mistake.
Ideally, you will have a standard size print size that will fit in a standard size envelope.
This post goes deeper: what sizeof art sells best? frames and openings – free graphic
This was a mistake I made.
all my art prints are printed on a3 paper and sent in 13″ postal tubes. until a few years ago, you could ship them in 2 1/2″ (65mm) diameter tubes. no problem
that saved me storage space and money. then I changed my role without thinking it through, and they didn’t roll tight enough.
Now, I have to use 3″ (75mm) diameter tubing, which costs more to buy, more to post, and is hard to store. damn it
If you haven’t had time to create a brand, now is the time to start. these are the best classes on udemy if you want to do it yourself
Do you have plastic wrap?
couriers work insane hours, often in a panic, and have to get the job done as quickly as possible. they don’t read stickers urging them to ‘handle with care’
Your art print had better be well packaged because the package will fall off, be thrown around, and get caught on sorting equipment.
Not only that, it will be stored overnight in a warehouse or, in some cases, for a week in a bonded warehouse, and will be delivered in any weather.
You must wrap your footprint in a waterproof bag.
I like to use a3 size cellophane bags. self-adhesive cellophane wrappers cost very little and are available in a multitude of sizes. I also use poly bags for my mailing tubes.
or if you want a budget logo made for you, try fiverr
which is better for sending art prints, flat or rolled?
The size of your art print will also determine how you publish it.
given the option, most people would want to receive a flat print. that’s fine, but larger prints need stronger packaging and, for the most part, mailing tubes are the most practical option.
any print below a3 size, in the us. uu. which would be called a tabloid or ledger (11″ x 17″), can be mailed cheaply and conveniently in a mailbox.
small packets seem to survive bumps well. they fit in mail bags and are light enough not to be damaged when dropped.
You can get envelopes for a3 and larger prints, but they are more easily damaged in the system.
I witnessed what can happen when I took an a3 print to my local post office. I did everything I could to avoid a problem, including adding extra cardboard reinforcements and writing “fragile” in bold.
The woman took the print and, realizing it was too wide for the parcel container and too stiff to fold, proceeded to karate cut it in half. work done. he was not a happy bunny.
It is best to roll larger prints in a tube. your mail may occasionally get misplaced, but it doesn’t get damaged. that has never happened in the 20 years that I have been sending prints.
costs and storage problems
When it comes to packaging, costs are greatly reduced by buying in bulk.
you will need a lot of storage space; in fact, there was a time when I had to rent extra storage just for my mailing tubes. They take up a lot of space when you buy them in bulk.
envelopes, on the other hand, fold up and you can store them stacked in the corner. not only that, they are cheaper than postal tubes.
Related Post: How to Safely Store Drawings: The Ultimate Guide
put impressions in a mailing tube
There’s more to rolling paper than you think. can’t afford to be lazy.
paper is easily damaged,
- when you roll them up carelessly,
- when you slip them into the tube,
- when your customer pulls them out.
Here’s how to safely place prints in a mailing tube in 10 steps:
- Get a mailing tube that is big enough for your prints. you don’t want them to be too tight, as this could damage the prints.
- slide a thin polythene bag partially into the tube, as your liner, leaving the end open.
- li>roll the paper up carefully, taking special care not to roll it up too tight.
- slide your print into the bag and push it down into the tube.
- let the paper sit unroll making sure it is aligned so the edges of the print are flush with the top and sides of the tube.
- if you are sending more than one print, do the same and insert the second.
- insert any promotional or business cards.
- tuck polythene inside top and attach end cap.
- attach end caps with a criss-cross tape
- wraps more tape around the ends of the tube.
When the customer opens the tube, they pull the poly bag and everything comes out undamaged and unfolds smoothly. this system has never failed me.
if I’m shipping an expensive print, I’ll place the print in a cellophane bag before rolling it up and slipping it into the liner.
how to ship flat art prints
to minimize the risk of damage and ensure your prints arrive in perfect condition. follow these instructions.
Here’s how to send flat art prints in 9 easy steps:
- First, prepare your work area. you’ll need a cutting mat, craft knife, ruler, and packing tape.
- slide your art print into cellophane wrap and seal.
- choose a sturdy mailing box that be slightly larger than the print itself.
- cut two sheets of cardboard to fit the box (or order pre-cut)
- tape the wrapper to the first sheet of cardboard, securing at each corner.
- Place the second sheet of cardboard over the print and glue both boards together.
- Place in the box and, if there is too much space, cover with bubble wrap and/or tape it down
- add your promotional flyers
- finally, seal the box with packing tape and clearly label it
By taking these precautions, you can ensure your art print arrives in the best condition.
If you have a small art print, it may be shipped in a padded envelope with stiff boards on both sides.
these posts are related:
- Do artists need business cards? (warning: they can kill your business)
- how to name your art and find a title that sells
- name your business from art: don’t do what i did
how to ship art prints internationally
With the advent of e-commerce and online sales, you’d think sending mail abroad would be easy. it is, if you pay through the nose or if you are in the eu internal market. otherwise, there are things to keep in mind.
If you’re shipping prints internationally, here are a few things to check:
- Check shipping rates with several carriers and don’t assume the post office will be the cheapest or most reliable service.
- Choose a shipping service. note: standard airmail will not be tracked.
- You will also need to ensure that prints are packaged properly so they are not damaged in transit.
- use the lightest materials to keep low weight.
- Please fill out all customs declaration forms truthfully
- Finally, be aware of any customs regulations that may apply to your shipment. there may be additional taxes to pay.
Overseas shipping prices have risen in recent years, and you may find that the hassle and economics of selling overseas make things unfeasible.
first, the united states withdrew from an international shipping rate treaty and that drove up prices. Then the EU started playing the game by forcing all countries outside the bloc to pay an additional 20% VAT on all imported goods, no matter what the cost.
Now, at the time of writing, the oil crisis has made things even worse. what can you do?
how to choose a shipping service
When shipping fine art prints, you want to make sure you choose a reputable company.
You have several options:
- use the post office
- use a major international courier service
- use a discount courier service
postal service remains the first choice for many. old habits die hard. if you prefer to deal with the guy behind the counter, that’s fine.
from what i’ve read usps is often the cheapest offer, in my experience in the uk royal mail is rarely the cheapest offer.
n.b. I’ll just add that shipping standard mail to the states from the UK is often held up in US customs. uu. it can take weeks to release. paying for a tracked service speeds things up.
The next option is to connect and see all the offers offered by the big players
- dhl (united kingdom)
- dhl (united states)
- oops (us)
- ups (uk)
- fedex (us)
- fedex (united kingdom
- dpd (eu)
In addition, you’ll want to choose a service that offers tracking so you and your customer can monitor your shipment every step of the way.
With a little research, you can find a shipping service that will give you peace of mind and ensure your art prints arrive safely at their destination.
in britain, discount courier services are the cheapest option. they buy empty slots from the big discount couriers and pass on some of those savings.
- parcelhero
- delivery of my parcel
- delivery of parcels all over the world
- parcel2go
Should I buy postal insurance?
read the fine print if you use a courier service, especially cheap ones.
You have a reasonable chance of getting compensated with the larger couriers, but good luck getting the discount couriers to pay. I’ve tried and never succeeded.
They offer insurance, but when you look at the exclusions, they list everything you can think of. what do they ensure?
I have personal experience of using UK services, so I can’t speak to services in the US. I suspect slippery insurance policies are the same.
I have never received a payment for lost or damaged goods. The last claim I made was for an extra strong hard plastic box, almost impossible to break, that I bought because the previous one had been thrown away.
The contents survived, but the box alone cost £20, so this time he wanted them to pay for it. I asked them to refund me, but unfortunately they didn’t cover the packing materials. surprise surprise.
even real mail lacks integrity.
When a limited edition print went missing, I made a claim. I had all the shipping proofs, I waited 3 weeks for them to appear and the only thing they compensated me for was the cost of the paper, not the lost limited edition!
Personally, I don’t bother with insurance anymore. now I write it off as part of business expenses.
I didn’t realize until I checked this article that there is another option, a third-party insurer. I just found these sites. These aren’t my recommendations because I’ve never used them, but they’re worth checking out.
- shippo (us)
- secursus (uk & eu)
- cabrella (us)
I took a screenshot of the shippos landing page for the pricing example:
I am not advising you not to get insurance coverage, I am advising you to check every detail before purchasing any coverage.
how to submit art prints: final thoughts
I’ve been sending my art prints for 20 years and I can only promise you one thing. nothing is guaranteed. things will and will go wrong. once the impression is published, it loses control.
all you can do is accept that you will annoy some customers through no fault of your own.
If you keep your client informed, why wouldn’t you? the vast majority of people will be understanding and agreeable. You need to understand that some people will be suspicious, which is why I offer money back guarantees and I stand by my word.
I have reimbursed people for delays (usual customs delays) and then received a refund when the print finally arrived. it happens.
if you want an alternative to amazon, check out art supplies from arteza or blick
everyone wants to sell online, but why? I’ve been trading for over 20 years in a summer market and earn enough to hang out in the tropics all winter! Why not copy what I do?
If you found this post useful, there are more like this one:
- can you copy art and sell a painting of a painting? i discovered
- 25 platforms for artists to sell their art online and earn money
- is redbubble worth it? pros and cons for artists and designers
- where to print etsy art prints (downloads/printables)
- how to make etsy art prints your art: art print explained in detail
- is it worth selling on etsy? pros and cons for artists and crafters
- 19 ways to make money as an artist online and offline – no fluff!
also, find an online course that suits you.
domestika coursesare professional and super affordable
fix it and save it