foam boxes for shipping framed art

[vaneramos]

Chris Ahrens at Wyndham Art Supply used a diagram to show me how to construct foam boxes to protect my framed drawings for shipping. The boxes get stacked inside the parcel, and are durable enough to continue housing the artwork after the show is over.

For four drawings in 12" x 15" frames, I needed two 30" x 40" sheets of ½-inch foam board, and one sheet of ¼-inch. The thickness of this last sheet must match how deeply the glass is recessed inside the front surface of the frame. The foam board cost $35, about $9 per frame.

A box cutter or sharp knife with replaceable blades is essential for cutting. For each box, I cut one piece of ¼-inch to fit snugly in the front of the frame (that's the piece lying off to the right) to protect the glass. The bottom, sides and lid were cut from ½-inch board so the frame would fit snugly inside. The bottom and sides were assembled using white glue reinforced with packing tape around the corners and edges. The lid was hinged along one edge with tape so the box can easily be opened and reused. The glue adhered readily with the foam board, so I was able to work quickly and construct four boxes in less than an hour.

They can then be stacked, tied together with masking tape or string to stabilize the pile without tearing the foam board, encased in bubble wrap, and packed in a mailing box.