Shipping a framed picture safely comes down to protecting the glass, cushioning the frame, and choosing the right box. A well-packed framed picture can travel across the country through standard carriers without damage, but skipping any step in the process dramatically increases the risk of cracked glass or a dented frame. Here’s how to do it right.
Gather Your Supplies
Before you start packing, lay out everything you’ll need so the process goes smoothly:
- Painter’s tape or masking tape for the glass surface
- Bubble wrap (several layers’ worth)
- Cardboard corner protectors (foam or cardboard)
- Corrugated cardboard sheets for inner liners
- Packing tape for sealing
- Packing paper, foam sheets, or air pillows for filling empty space
- A sturdy box at least 2 to 4 inches larger than the frame on every side
Specialty picture boxes with telescoping sides are sold at most shipping stores and online. They let you adjust the box to fit your exact frame dimensions, which cuts down on excess space you’d otherwise need to fill. For frames larger than about 24 by 36 inches, double-wall corrugated boxes provide significantly more rigidity than standard single-wall cardboard.
Protect the Glass First
Glass is the most vulnerable part of a framed picture, and protecting it requires two layers of defense. Start by applying painter’s tape directly to the glass in a large X pattern, extending each strip all the way to the inner edges of the frame. Then add horizontal and vertical strips to create a grid. If the glass shatters during transit, the tape holds the shards in place and keeps them from scratching or puncturing the artwork underneath. Painter’s tape peels off cleanly without leaving residue, so it won’t damage the glass or frame when you unpack.
Next, cut a piece of corrugated cardboard, foam board, or bubble cushioning to the exact dimensions of the glass and place it flat against the taped surface. This acts as a shock absorber between the glass and whatever is pressing against it inside the box. Without this layer, even well-wrapped frames can crack from direct pressure on the glass face.
Wrap the Entire Frame
With the glass protected, wrap the entire framed picture in several layers of bubble wrap. Start with the bubble side facing inward (toward the frame) and work your way around all four sides, folding the wrap over the edges so no part of the frame is exposed. Secure the bubble wrap tightly with packing tape, but avoid taping directly onto the frame surface, as adhesive can damage wood finishes or gilding.
Slide cardboard corner protectors over all four corners of the wrapped frame. Corners take the most abuse during shipping because they’re the first point of impact if a box is dropped or bumped. Foam or cardboard corner guards distribute that force across a wider area instead of concentrating it on a single point.
Box It With Room to Spare
Place cardboard liners along the inside walls of your box before inserting the frame. These liners add an extra layer of rigidity that resists bending and keeps the frame from rattling around. For the best protection, orient the corrugated ridges (called flutes) on the liners perpendicular to the flutes on the box itself. This cross-grain approach makes the overall structure much harder to crush.
Lower the wrapped frame into the box so it sits centered, with a buffer of 2 to 6 inches between the frame and every side of the box. The larger or heavier the frame, the more buffer space you need. Fill all remaining gaps with crumpled packing paper, foam, or air pillows. The frame should not shift at all when you gently shake the sealed box. Pack tightly enough to eliminate movement, but not so tightly that you’re pressing inward on the glass or bowing the frame.
Seal the box completely with packing tape, reinforcing all edges and seams. Run tape along every corner where two flaps meet. There should be no loose sections or exposed gaps that could catch on equipment during sorting.
When to Use a Wood Crate Instead
Standard cardboard packing works well for most domestic shipments, but certain situations call for a wooden crate. As a general guideline, artwork valued over $10,000 should be shipped in a custom-built wood crate designed for vibration resistance. The same applies to pieces with real glass (as opposed to acrylic glazing) that are large or especially fragile, and to anything shipping internationally by sea or air, where packages face rougher handling and longer transit times.
Professional crating services build a fitted wooden frame around your piece with internal padding, and the cost typically runs from $100 to several hundred dollars depending on size. For a framed family photo or a moderately priced print, this is overkill. For original art or anything irreplaceable, it’s worth the investment.
Choosing a Carrier
UPS, FedEx, and USPS all handle framed pictures, though your experience will vary based on size and weight. Both UPS and FedEx charge additional handling fees for large, bulky, or heavy packages, which framed art often triggers. FedEx offers more specialized options for fragile items, including early morning delivery windows that reduce the time your package spends in transit.
Shipping cost for framed pictures is heavily influenced by dimensional weight, not just actual weight. Carriers calculate dimensional weight by multiplying the box’s length, width, and height, then dividing by a standard factor (typically 139 for domestic shipments). You’re charged whichever is higher: the actual weight or the dimensional weight. Because framed pictures require oversized boxes with generous cushioning, the dimensional weight often exceeds the real weight by a wide margin. A 5-pound frame in a well-padded box can easily be billed as if it weighs 15 or 20 pounds.
To keep costs reasonable, use the smallest box that still provides adequate cushioning. Specialty picture boxes that adjust to your frame’s dimensions help eliminate wasted space.
Add Shipping Insurance
Carriers include limited liability coverage by default, but it rarely covers the full value of framed artwork. Purchase additional shipping insurance for anything you’d be upset to lose or receive broken. Most carriers let you declare a value and pay a small premium at the time of shipping.
To protect yourself in case you need to file a claim, photograph the artwork and the packing process thoroughly. Take detail shots of the art itself before you wrap it, photos of the frame packed inside the box before you seal it, and a shot of the sealed box with any shipping labels visible. If your piece has been appraised or sold, keep receipts, payment records, and any correspondence discussing the item’s value.
If a package arrives damaged, photograph the exterior damage before opening, then photograph each stage of unpacking. This sequence of images proves the damage happened during transit, not after delivery. Without this documentation, carriers can dispute claims or reduce payouts.
Labeling and Drop-Off
Mark the outside of the box with “FRAGILE” and “THIS SIDE UP” labels or write them clearly in large letters. While these labels don’t guarantee gentle handling, they do flag the package for workers during sorting. Place arrows indicating the correct orientation so the frame travels upright rather than flat, which reduces the chance of something heavy being stacked on the glass face.
When you drop off the package, ask for a tracking number and keep your receipt. If you purchased insurance, confirm that the declared value appears on your shipping record. For high-value pieces, consider requiring a signature on delivery so the package isn’t left unattended on a doorstep.