Bubble Wrap Bags for Paintings: Sizes & Prices

Why Use Bubble Wrap Bags for Paintings?

Bubble wrap bags cushion a painting’s surface and edges against the knocks, drops, and pressure a parcel takes in transit. Paintings are harder to post than most flat items, because raised paint, glazing, and frame corners can all be damaged by the same impact. A sealed pouch wraps the whole piece in one even layer, which loose sheets of wrap can’t guarantee once they shift inside the box.

That protection depends on the fit. A pouch that’s too tight can press into raised paint or catch the frame edge, while one that’s too loose lets the piece slide and knock against the seams. The bubbles also shouldn’t touch the paint directly, as they can leave air-cell impressions on the surface, especially when the plastic is pulled taut. 

At Globe Packaging, we list each pouch’s face dimensions and the 30mm sealing lip separately, so you can check the fit against your measurements before ordering.

Bubble Wrap Bag Sizes & What They Fit

Bubble pouches are sold by BP size code, but exact dimensions can vary between suppliers, so always check the listed measurements before ordering.

Small Sizes BP1 to BP4 for Cards & Mini Prints

The four smallest BP sizes suit flat pieces under A4, such as greeting cards, postcards, and miniature prints. 

• BP1: 100 × 135mm, best for very small prints or components, generally too small for standard artwork.

• BP2: 130 × 185mm, suited to small cards, mini prints, or small flat pieces.

• BP3: 180 × 235mm, a possible fit for small prints or artwork cut to a similar size.

• BP4: 230 × 285mm, a possible fit for compact prints or small flat artwork.

Larger Sizes BP5 to BP7 for A4, A3 & Larger Unframed Work

Once artwork reaches A4 size or larger, BP5 to BP7 become the relevant options.

• BP5: 280 × 360mm, recommended for A4 prints and small illustrations.

• BP6: 305 × 435mm, a snug fit for unframed A3 prints and medium watercolours. 

• BP7: 380 × 435mm, the largest pouch in the range, for larger unframed work such as prints, mixed-media boards and shallow canvases. 

Every BP size, from BP1 to BP7, includes a 30mm sealing lip beyond the stated dimensions. The lip closes the bag but adds no space for the artwork, so check the face dimensions alone before assuming a pouch will fit a framed piece. 

What the 30mm Sealing Lip Means for Your Measurements

The sealing lip lets you fold over or peel and seal the pouch’s open end, but it adds no room for the artwork itself. A BP7 pouch gives you 380 × 435mm of usable space, with the 30mm lip sitting beyond that, so it isn’t an oversized frame bag despite being the largest option in the range. 

This distinction matters most for framed work, where people assume the largest listed size will accommodate a frame simply because it's the biggest pouch available.

For canvases or anything with depth, add the depth to both the width and the height before comparing against the pouch size, since a flat pouch has to wrap around the sides as well as the face. 

How Do You Choose the Correct Bag Size for Your Painting?

Ornate gilt frames can add several centimetres to each side, so measure across the outermost edge of the moulding before choosing a pouch.

Getting the size right starts with the artwork itself. Frames, glazing and corner protectors all add millimetres that a bag's nominal size code won't account for.

Work through these steps to measure and pack the painting safely: 

1. Confirm the paint surface is fully dry and stable before packing.
2. Measure the artwork's full outer width, height, and depth, including frame and glazing.
3. Compare your measurements against the pouch’s usable dimensions, remembering the 30mm lip is listed separately. 
4. Add an acid-free tissue interleaf between the bag and the artwork surface. 
5. Protect the face and corners, and add rigid boards where needed.
6. Slide the artwork in without forcing it, leaving no excess room for movement.
7. Place the bagged piece in a sturdy outer box with cushioning.

A pouch that's too tight can catch the artwork's edge or press against a raised paint surface, while one that's too loose lets the piece shift and knock against the bag's seams in transit.

If the painting is noticeably smaller than the bag, pack stable backing and cushioning around it so it can't move once sealed. For anything valuable or fragile, treat the bubble bag as one layer of protection rather than the entire packaging system, since rigid boards and a well-fitted outer carton still carry most of the weight.

How Much Do Bubble Wrap Bags Cost in the UK?

Bubble wrap bags are sold in packs, and larger packs reduce the cost per bag. The table below shows our prices at the time of writing (excluding VAT) for BP1 to BP7 pouches across a range of pack sizes. 

For artists posting a few prints a month, a 100-bag pack keeps upfront costs low. Galleries and online print sellers that ship daily get better value from larger packs.

Match Every Painting to the Right Bubble Pouch with Globe Packaging

Globe Packaging, a UK supplier of bubble pouches, bubble wrap rolls and edge and corner protection.

The right bubble wrap bag depends on the painting’s packed size, measured across the frame, glazing, and boards, not the paper alone. Choose a pouch that holds the piece snugly, back it with rigid boards and a sturdy box, and buy the pack size that matches how often you ship. 

At Globe Packaging, we stock bubble pouches from BP1 for small prints up to BP7 for larger unframed work, plus bubble wrap rolls up to 1500mm wide for bigger canvases and framed pieces. Orders placed by 4pm leave our depot the same day, and UK mainland orders over £50 (exc. VAT) qualify for free next working day delivery. Shop our bubble pouches today and post your next piece with confidence.

*Note: Product listings, prices, and delivery times shown are approximate and subject to change. Contact Globe Packaging for the latest information.