How to pack art to travel

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Permalink Reply by Dave Hinde on February 26, 2010 at 9:26am

I have a pickup, so it's not as big an issue, but here's what I did. I measured my work then went down to Lowes and Target to find the plastic tubs that fit the best. Inside the tubs I put some thin foam on the bottom, and then made cardboard dividers. With the dividers, it's quick to pack up at the end of the show. The tubs also work well for storing work between shows and they can stack to save space at home. I'm starting to print some larger photos, so I think I'll end up with a tub without a lid.

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Permalink Reply by Geoff Coe on February 26, 2010 at 10:34am

Dave's suggestion is great for the matted prints. For the framed work, consider purchasing some padded bags. They protect the frames from scratches, and glass from breaking, obviously...but the real advantage I've found is how much space they save! You can stack framed prints on top of each other to the roof of your cargo area, if you like. (Best to put something like a stiff piece of cardboard behind them to keep them from shifting backward or banging up against other cargo.) See proartpak.com and gallerypouch.com. You could also try making them yourself from rolls of bubble wrap, I suppose...I've never tried that.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Hinde on February 26, 2010 at 10:54am

Actually, the tubs are what I use for my framed prints. My 11 x 14 and smaller matted prints I carry in plastic milk crates. I probably should have mentioned that I use the heaviest corrugated cardboard I can find for my dividers, to protect the glass in my frames.

Another method I've seen for protecting frames is to sew two heavy towels together, basically making a type of pillow case out of them. This protects good from scratches, but will not protect the glass. You could possibly use the towel cases with a heavy sheet of cardboard slipped in to protect the glass.

One other tip: I carry a couple wood scratch repair crayons with me. I've loaned them out to others that discovered scratched frames while unloading!

Geoff Coe said:

Dave's suggestion is great for the matted prints. For the framed work, consider purchasing some padded bags. They protect the frames from scratches, and glass from breaking, obviously...but the real advantage I've found is how much space they save! You can stack framed prints on top of each other to the roof of your cargo area, if you like. (Best to put something like a stiff piece of cardboard behind them to keep them from shifting backward or banging up against other cargo.) See proartpak.com and gallerypouch.com. You could also try making them yourself from rolls of bubble wrap, I suppose...I've never tried that.

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Permalink Reply by Sara Youngman on February 26, 2010 at 6:29pm

Whoa - I can already see the stuff falling out the windows of my CR-V. When I had the tent in it the back was about half full - meaning the bottom half, so everything else will go on top of the 3 bags of tent. My pieces are generally about 9x10 - 14x14, so a box per would be a lot of boxes, meaning I'll need a lot of pieces to fill the walls. All the ideas are interesting - some a little more practical than others, but they've all helped me focus a bit.

Thank you.

Leo Charette said:

Hi Sara,

I can relate to your packing issue... for the first few years, I went to art shows using only a Subaru Outback... I took everything including a handtruck, Trimline canopy with all the trimmings (french wall, awnings, etc). Compression and speed of packaging were important. (I now pull a 5X8 trailer.)

For framed items I still use empty 32X40 foam core and matte boxes. Matte boxes are perfect and you can get them at any frame store. Since I do my own matting, I have have quite a stock pile of these boxes. They're a little tall, so you'll need to cut them down a bit.

To protect the frames from getting scuffed by the cardboard, I used to slide my frames into a polyethylene foam pouch from Uline
( http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_854.asp ). You might want to consider this though they do tear and need replacing every now and again.

Over the years my frames sizes have grown, so I've had to come up with other solutions. So, let me tell you about art garters, they work great! Here's an outfit that makes them, however, we make our own for next to nothing.
http://www.artgarters.com/

This is the perfect time of year to go get materials for this. Go to any TJMax or Marshall store and look for their marked-down quilt blankets (color is not an issue and several holiday versions should be in the bins). Buy a king or queen size blanket; you'll need it. Any fabric store will sell you the elastic straps and then with a triangle cuts and a little sewing, presto, you have reusable corner protectors that cost you maybe 5 to 10 dollars. I put the garters on and then slide the frames into the retrofit matte boxes. I've never had a frame get damaged. I should also add that I also like that the matte boxes can only hold one frame per box. If I sell a frame off the wall it is easy to find a replacement. Each frame goes in it's own box.

I also make my own boxes for my matted prints again using old foam core boxes. It really isn't that difficult, a couple hours work. I don't have the template with me right now, but I could send you a .pdf template for making 16X20 boxes which you could adapt for any size. The boxes usually last me for a couple seasons and cost me nothing but a little time.

Cheers,
Leo

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Permalink Reply by Sara Youngman on February 26, 2010 at 10:28pm

Good lord, can you come over and pack my car for me? I was so much more organized when I was younger. Think the creative side of me finally bursting forth is wrecking havoc with my left-brain. I have an enormous amount of cardboard which I would love to use. I do my own matting also and have many boxes from that, buying 32x40 sheets of paper, etc. Hadn't figured out what to do with it all, so maybe I'll start cutting it up into frame-sized enclosures. I also have a lot of bubblewrap, so I'm thinking bubblewrapped frames inside cardboard enclosures/boxes. Then a covered container, or two, for the matted pieces. Very workable. I did buy a foldable 2-wheel dolly also.

My biggest problem is giving up printing time to get on with the 'business' of this. Feels so much like work. But hopefully the end results will make it all worth it. Then I can spend the winter printing to my heart's desire. Thanks again for the good advice.

Leo Charette said:

Sara, Your CR-V must be larger than a Subaru Outback. In the back of a Subaru, I would pack 25 boxed frames which included a combo of 16X20 and 20X26 sizes (that covered the 3 walls and a 3ft french wall with a few extras frames. I also took three boxes of 16X20 mats (about 20 mats in each box), one box of 20X26 and large box of 11X14 mats. I also carried a Rock n Roller R12 handtruck ( I highly recommend), 4 - 40 lbs weights, a Trimline and all the fixing, an awning, mesh walls, a cooler for food, 3 canvas mat displays and other show stuff. I did tie stuff on luggage rack. It was a puzzle but it all fit. If your boxes are cut to the right size, you can fit a lot, cardboard is thin.

We did fifteen shows (mostly local) that first year and the Subaru handled it fine. The money saved was used to buy a trailer.

Cheers,
-- Leo

Sara Youngman said:

Whoa - I can already see the stuff falling out the windows of my CR-V. When I had the tent in it the back was about half full - meaning the bottom half, so everything else will go on top of the 3 bags of tent. My pieces are generally about 9x10 - 14x14, so a box per would be a lot of boxes, meaning I'll need a lot of pieces to fill the walls. All the ideas are interesting - some a little more practical than others, but they've all helped me focus a bit.
Thank you. Sara,

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Permalink Reply by Sara Youngman on February 27, 2010 at 2:19pm

I put my matted pieces in clear bags, but I've been buying them from the source. Next time I'll definitely check out the site you mention. Thanks.

Leo Charette said:

Sara,

Here's another solution for protecting frames instead of making cardboard boxes. It has merit, though price per frame could add up. BTW, FrameDestination is a very good resource for buying frames and ClearBags. ClearBags are actually less expensive here than going direct to the company.

Cheers,
Leo

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Permalink Reply by Charles Bingham on April 6, 2010 at 8:34am

Just thought I'd show off a few photos of my newest creation... I built a rolling box to hold all of my artwork and protect it from damage.

First, I was getting tired of hauling all of my art in hand-made cardboard sleeves. They involved a lot of handling that way, making for more opportunity for them to get damaged. Plus, I was at a show where there was a freak thunderstorm and my booth was in the path of a newly formed river of water that was ankle deep. All of my cardboard boxes were damaged and I risked a years worth of work being ruined. (none was). I was on a mission after that to make an efficient way of transporting and protecting my artwork.

Here is the result:

Big tires help it roll over any surface...

It is made of pine 1x3's and hardboard, then the outside is wrapped in sheet metal... only about $75 in materials and $50 in wheels.

The inside has foam at the bottom floor covered in cardboard. The pictures are kept separated by cardboard slats held in place by groves in the side walls.

This is best for someone with larger items... most of my 2-d wall art is at least 18x24. Some get up to 22x40". But, If I have smaller work, I can fit more than one item in each slot.

I actually have 2 of these and they hold all the art I need for a show.
Now rain is not a problem. Wheeling my artwork to my site is a breeze. I feel better knowing my art is safe and secure.

Chip
Battle Creek, Michigan

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Permalink Reply by Pauline Ross on May 11, 2010 at 1:45pm

It is always a challenge to pack up art. I use large boxes I get from the frame shop to hold 4-5 pieces with bubblewrap or lg. cardboard between them. Smaller art I have used plastic container/tubs and suitcases. Again with bubblewrap or cardboard between. I like the suitcases in various sizes. I found tubs for the prints in 3 sizes must be flat inside. Keeps them clean and stored well. Depends on how full you want your walls. It is all heavy no matter how you try to rearrange it though. lol I don't use the roof rack only because I am too short to reach it all up there on my own. So I stuff the car end to end including the icechest. I mostly can not see out the rear view window. I pray for lots of sales so the piles of boxes will go flat! lol

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Permalink Reply by Sara Youngman on May 11, 2010 at 5:47pm

With all the rain we've been having I wasn't comfortable using cardboard, so have 3 21-gallon plastic, covered bins with framed art (my stuff is small), which leaves about 4 pieces without a home, but wrapped in their new waterproof envelopes. Just got a 30-gallon bin into which fits all 100+ matted prints. As I filled it in the car I have no idea if I can pick it up. I have to use the roof rack (I will learn how Thursday night) as I'm not comfortable driving with obscured vision. So the tent has to go up top. I will let everyone know how my first fair went after the weekend. Probablay won't get home Sunday until midnight or so, but will report early in the week.


Pauline Ross said:

It is always a challenge to pack up art. I use large boxes I get from the frame shop to hold 4-5 pieces with bubblewrap or lg. cardboard between them. Smaller art I have used plastic container/tubs and suitcases. Again with bubblewrap or cardboard between. I like the suitcases in various sizes. I found tubs for the prints in 3 sizes must be flat inside. Keeps them clean and stored well. Depends on how full you want your walls. It is all heavy no matter how you try to rearrange it though. lol I don't use the roof rack only because I am too short to reach it all up there on my own. So I stuff the car end to end including the icechest. I mostly can not see out the rear view window. I pray for lots of sales so the piles of boxes will go flat! lol

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