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.

Comments

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

This is also a good idea if one is moving and has framed art to be protected.

Thanks for sharing this suggestion.

[clairenolen.livejournal.com]

great stuff!!!
looks perfect :-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, if you have the patience! It's ideal for a number of frames of identical size. I had to calculate, only once for four boxes, the dimensions of the foam pieces (with ½-inch foam board I had to make the box an inch longer, wider and deeper than the frame) and plan how to get eight large pieces and 16 side strips out of two sheets. With frames of varying sizes, it could quickly become a tedious and frustrating job. But it would be an excellent way to protect a few important frames going into storage.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks. And maybe useful for some, I hope!

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

I can imagine the calculations required to make it all work! :-)

Still, perhaps with some mods, it can work though, at least, something to rest inside the glass area to protect that at the very least.

[marian-w.livejournal.com]

I like the frame on that one. And is it just me or is the desk cleared off?

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I had to clear it off to make space to assemble these boxes. No actual tidying was involved. ;-)