To pack picture frames for shipping, wrap, pad, double-box, and seal seams tight so the glass and corners stay protected.
Why Packing Frames The Right Way Pays Off
Glass cracks, corners crush, and hanging hardware pokes through boxes. A smart method stops all that. You’ll build a shock buffer, lock the glass in place, and give the frame a snug ride from door to door. The steps below work for family photos, poster frames, and gallery pieces. Swap materials when sizes change, but keep the same order.
Supplies And What Each One Does
Before any wrapping starts, set up a clean table and gather the kit. This first table lists what to buy and why it matters.
| Supply | What It Does | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glassine Or Acid-Free Paper | Shields art surface from scuffs and moisture | Better than tissue, leaves no lint |
| Blue Painter’s Tape | Creates a gentle X on glass to reduce shards shifting | Peels off cleanly |
| Corner Protectors | Guards the frame’s edges from crush | Foam or cardboard styles |
| Bubble Wrap (Small + Large Cell) | Small for tight wrap; large for outer cushion | Wrap with bubbles facing in |
| Rigid Cardboard Sheets | Adds front/back stiffeners | Cut slightly larger than frame |
| Stretch Film | Binds the bundle so parts don’t shift | Light tension only |
| Packing Tape (2–3 in.) | Seals seams and anchors pads | Use shipping-grade tape |
| Outer Box + Inner Box | Double-box builds a crush zone | 2–3 in. clearance on all sides |
| Kraft Paper Or Foam Sheets | Fills gaps without mess | Avoid loose peanuts |
| Fragile/Glass Labels | Signals handling care | Place on multiple sides |
How to Pack Picture Frames for Shipping: Step-By-Step Method
This method hits the needs of wood, metal, and composite frames. It also suits acrylic glazing. Read each step, then set a steady pace.
Step 1: Prep The Frame
Lay the frame face up. Add a light X of painter’s tape across the glass. The tape holds shards if anything goes wrong. Flip the frame and snug the backing clips. Remove any loose hardware or wires and pack them in a small zip bag.
Step 2: Wrap The Art Surface
Cover the front with glassine or acid-free paper. Tape the paper to the back side so adhesive never touches the art. If the piece has no glass, add an extra layer of paper for scratch defense.
Step 3: Add Corner Protection
Slide on four corner guards. If you don’t have pre-made guards, fold them from cardboard with a 90-degree channel. Corners take the first hit in transit, so this step matters.
Step 4: Stiffen The Bundle
Cut two rigid sheets a bit larger than the frame. Sandwich the frame between them. Wrap the sandwich with small-cell bubble and tape the wrap to itself. No tape on the frame.
Step 5: Cushion With Bubble
Add one or two layers of large-cell bubble around the sandwich. Pay attention to the edges. Tape the bubble to itself. Then use light stretch film to lock the bundle.
Step 6: Pack The Inner Box
Pick an inner box that gives about one inch of space on every side. Line the base with foam sheets or crumpled kraft paper. Set the bundle in the center. Fill side gaps tight with foam sheets. The bundle should not rattle when you shake the box.
Step 7: Build The Outer Box
Choose an outer box that leaves two to three inches around the inner box. Pad the base, drop the inner box in, center it, and fill the gaps with layered foam sheets or kraft paper. Close the lid and check for movement. No movement means you set the buffer right.
Step 8: Seal And Label
Use the H-tape pattern on every seam. Add fragile and glass labels on multiple sides and the top. Write “This Side Up” if orientation matters. Place the shipping label flat, not across a seam.
Packing Picture Frames For Shipping Safely: Box And Cushion Guide
Box choice and clearance drive survival rates. Use strong cartons, not thin moving boxes. Full overlap styles add stiffness. Carriers also advise a double-box for framed art. FedEx shares artwork-specific packing tips, and USPS lists which tapes and fillers hold up in transit.
Clearance And Padding Targets
Use this table to pick box sizes and padding depth for common frame sizes. It keeps you from under-padding large pieces.
| Frame Size | Outer Box Size | Padding Clearance |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 8×10 in | Inner: +2 in each side; Outer: +4–6 in each side | Inner 1 in; Outer 2–3 in |
| 11×14 to 12×16 in | Inner: +2 in; Outer: +4–6 in | Inner 1 in; Outer 2–3 in |
| 16×20 in | Inner: +3 in; Outer: +5–7 in | Inner 1–1.5 in; Outer 2.5–3 in |
| 18×24 in | Inner: +3 in; Outer: +6–8 in | Inner 1–1.5 in; Outer 3 in |
| 24×36 in | Inner: +4 in; Outer: +8–10 in | Inner 1.5–2 in; Outer 3–4 in |
| Oversize (36+ in) | Inner: +4–6 in; Outer: crate or double-wall | Inner 2 in; Outer 4 in+ |
| Multi-Frame Box | Divider set in a larger outer | 2–3 in between items |
Fillers That Work Versus Fillers To Skip
Foam sheets and kraft paper stay where you place them. Loose peanuts settle and create gaps, which lets the bundle shift. Shifting leads to cracked glass and bent corners. Save peanuts for a light, non-fragile load.
Carrier Tips You Can Trust
FedEx outlines artwork packing steps, box picks, and when to double-box. USPS lists tapes that meet strength needs and warns against weak tapes like masking or cellophane. You can read the FedEx artwork guide and the USPS packaging tips through the links below.
See the FedEx artwork guide and the USPS packaging tips.
Special Cases And Pro Moves
Acrylic Glazing Instead Of Glass
Acrylic weighs less and shrugs off small bumps. It scratches more easily than glass, so keep the factory film on during prep. Wrap with glassine, not tissue. Never use solvents on acrylic before packing.
Old Or Valuable Pieces
Use acid-free materials end to end. Add corner braces made from dense foam. Skip peanuts and flimsy boxes. For museum-level pieces, ask a pro shipper for a crate.
Group Shipments
Use a divider set in a larger outer box. Wrap and stiffen each frame on its own, then place dividers so frames never touch. Fill all voids so the set rides as a solid block.
Cold, Heat, And Humid Days
Seal the bundle in plastic film to limit moisture swings. Use fresh cartons, since damp boxes lose strength fast. Keep the box indoors until the carrier scan.
How Fragile Labels, Tape, And Sealing Patterns Help
Labels do not replace padding. They still help handlers spot risk. Use bold labels on three sides and the top. Seal all seams with the H-pattern: one long strip across the center seam, then two side strips. Cover any slots or manufacturer joints as well. Pressure and time make tape stick best, so press every run firmly.
Common Mistakes That Break Frames
Peanuts As The Only Filler
Peanuts shift under load. Gaps appear and the frame slams into the box wall. Use foam sheets or kraft paper instead.
No Corner Guards
Corner dings bend metal and crush wood. Guards are cheap and save claims.
Thin, Reused Boxes
Old cartons fail at seams and corners. Fresh, rated cartons keep shape during drops.
Single Boxing Large Frames
One box leaves no crush zone. Double-boxing adds the space that protects glass.
Tape Overkill
More tape is not more strength. Use the right pattern and a quality roll.
Shipping Day Checklist
- Painter’s tape X on glass
- Glassine cover and two rigid stiffeners
- Corner guards on all four corners
- Small-cell wrap, then large-cell wrap
- Inner box with one inch of pad on all sides
- Outer box with two to three inches of pad on all sides
- H-tape seal on every seam
- Fragile and glass labels on multiple sides
If a step feels tricky, slow and check fit.
Pack Picture Frames For Shipping When You’re Rushed
Short on time? You can still keep the frame safe. Skip custom cuts and use a kit: corner guards, two rigid sheets, bubble, and a two-box set. Wrap tight, pad the inner, pad the outer, then seal. Even a quick pass with this order beats a loose wrap.
FAQ-Free Tips That Save Money
Pick Boxes By Strength, Not Just Size
Look for edge crush ratings on the flap. Double-wall adds stiffness for big frames. A snug fit means fewer claims than a huge box stuffed with soft fill.
Ship Upright
Stand the box on its short edge when possible. That reduces bending across the long span of the glass.
Insure Smartly
Document the packed state with photos. Save receipts for materials. Carriers and insurers like clear evidence.
Wrap-Up: Your Repeatable Method
If a friend asks how to pack picture frames for shipping, send them this method: tape the glass, protect corners, stiffen, bubble, double-box, fill gaps, and seal right. Pack this way once and you can repeat it for any frame size with small tweaks. With steady prep, your box arrives ready to hang.
Artists, sellers, and movers use the same plan for a reason. The steps raise the odds of a clean delivery without drama. When you need a reminder on how to pack picture frames for shipping, skim the tables above and walk through the checklist. That tight loop keeps glass safe and corners square.