Use a mailing tube to keep your photos from being damaged during shipping.
Whether your photography is a business or just a hobby, when sending your work to friends, family, or clients, you want to make sure it arrives safely. Here are some tips from Fine Art Nature Photography on how to ship photographs.
If you want to send your photos unframed, there are several options. The best option is to use a mailing tube. First, roll the photo in a piece of interleave paper to protect it from getting scratched. Before placing the photo in the tube, put some crumpled newspaper at the bottom of the tube to cushion the edges from the cap. After sliding in your photo, add more newspaper before fastening the cap on the top. If you would rather keep your photograph flat, a protective envelope, such as a corrugated envelope or a rigid mailer, will work fine. Make sure to stamp or label the envelope with “Fragile” or “Do Not Bend.”
When sending a matted photograph, you will have to use a flat envelope. A bubble mailer works very well, since it provides some cushioning for the mat. For extra protection, you can sandwich the photograph between two layers of cardboard. Use pieces of cardboard that are larger than the matted photo. Put the matted photo into a clear plastic bag, and then tape each corner of the bag to a piece of cardboard, so that it’s in the middle. Then cover it with another piece of cardboard, and tape the two together, and then slide into an envelope.
If you’re shipping a framed photograph, especially one with glass instead of plexiglass, you will need added protection. First, wrap the entire photo in bubble wrap and tape to secure. Next, wrap the photo in a piece of corrugated cardboard, and leave openings at both ends, which you can fill with packing peanuts. Then, put the piece into a larger cardboard box, and fill with peanuts. Make sure to label the package as “Fragile.”
So next time you wish to send out some of your photos, you can rest assured they will likely arrive at their destination safe and sound.
