How to Mail Framed Art: Best Shipping Boxes & Protection Materials

What It Takes to Mail Framed Art Without Damage 

Framed art is one of the trickiest things to post. The glass, the corners, and the surface all fail in different ways under the same knocks, which means protection has to work on several levels at once, not just cushioning the outside.

The materials that handle each risk are acid-free tissue against the surface, small bubble wrap as the main cushioning layer, and foam corner protectors over the corners that take the hardest hits during drops. The box ties it all together: a double-wall carton for glazed or heavy pieces, and a flat single-wall box for smaller, lighter frames where keeping the parcel slim saves on postage.

For sellers and galleries posting regularly, getting packaging right also protects your business. A damaged piece means a refund, a replacement, and a frustrated buyer who is unlikely to order again. Consistent, reliable packaging removes that risk and builds the kind of trust that turns a one-time buyer into a repeat customer.

Best Shipping Boxes for Framed Art

Flat Single Wall Boxes for Small, Light Frames

Slim, flat-profile boxes such as the 18"x12"x3" single wall size suit small prints, photo frames, and lightweight pieces. Their shallow depth keeps the parcel within affordable postal dimensions while still leaving room for a couple of bubble layers. 

They suit unglazed or plastic-fronted frames where the total weight stays low. For a snug fit on a smaller frame, a flat box often beats forcing the piece into a box that is too deep, since less void fill is then needed to hold it steady.

Flat single-wall boxes are ideal for shipping small, light frames, keeping parcels within affordable postal dimensions.

Double Wall Boxes for Large or Glazed Pieces

For bigger frames, glass glazing, or anything with real weight, a double-wall box is the safer choice. These are built with a genuine BC flute around 7mm thick in a 125K/T grade, giving far more crush resistance than a single-wall box. Sizes run up to 30" x18" x 12" and beyond, so most framed pieces will find a close fit that still leaves space for padding. 

The thicker board also holds a clean edge when taped, which matters for heavier frames that put strain on the seams. For very large or valuable artwork, two double-wall boxes nested together, or a sheet of rigid board added to each face, gives an extra margin against knocks.

Double-wall boxes offer superior crush resistance, making them the safer choice for large, glazed, or heavy framed pieces.

Best Protection Materials for Framed Art

Boxes stop the parcel from being crushed. The materials inside handle the rest, and three of them do most of the job. 

1. Small Bubble Wrap

Small bubble wrap is the main cushioning layer for framed art. The standard small bubble sits at around 10mm, and rolls come in widths of 300mm up to 1500mm and are supplied as standard in full 100m lengths, so you can match the width to how much packing you do. A 750mm or 1000mm width covers most picture frames in a single pass, which means fewer joins and less tape. 

Full 100m rolls are the cheaper option per metre for regular senders, while shorter rolls suit the occasional parcel. Wrap with the bubbles facing outward so the flat side rests against the tissue layer, leaving no impressions on the surface.

Small bubble wrap is the primary cushioning layer for framed art, available in widths up to 1500mm and 100m lengths.

2. Foam Corner Protectors

Foam corner protectors are U-shaped sleeves that cap the most vulnerable part of a frame. These lightweight protectors are well-suited to parcels, pallets, and picture frames, guarding sharp edges and corners. They come in internal-fit sizes of 15-25mm, 25-35mm, 35-45mm, 45-60mm, and 60-80mm, so you can pick a size that fits the frame thickness without slipping. 

Measure the depth of the frame molding first, then choose the band it falls into. For deeper or ornate frames, foam edge guards can run along the full length of each side as well, protecting the rails between the corners. 

Foam corner protectors cap vulnerable frame edges and come in internal-fit sizes ranging from 15mm to 80mm.

3. Paper, Tissue, & Void Fill

A smooth first layer matters as much as the cushioning. Acid-free tissue or glassine against the artwork stops bubble imprints on glass and delicate finishes, and it is worth using on anything with an original surface, such as a painting or signed print.

Kraft paper rolls and corrugated paper give a tougher outer wrap, and a cardboard layer pad behind the frame adds a rigid backing that resists bending. Once the frame is wrapped and boxed, pack any remaining gaps with scrunched paper or void fill so nothing moves, then finish with fragile printed tape so handlers treat the parcel with care.

Kraft paper rolls provide a tough outer wrap, while acid-free tissue protects delicate artwork surfaces during shipping.

How to Pack Framed Art For Mailing: Step by Step

The order matters: a smooth surface layer first, then cushioning, then corner defense, then a box that resists crushing.

1. Protect the glass. Wipe the glass or artwork clean, then run low-tack painters tape across the glazing in a cross or star pattern. If the glass cracks, the shards remain in place rather than sliding into the frame or artwork.

2. Protect the surface: Lay a sheet of acid-free tissue or kraft paper over the front so nothing presses directly against the finish.

3. Wrap in a bubble. Add two layers of small bubble wrap, bubbles facing outward, and secure the wrap with tape. Keep tape off the frame itself, since adhesive can lift paint or veneer.

4. Cover the corners. Slide a foam corner protector over each corner. Corners absorb most drops and bumps, so this single step prevents the most common type of damage.

5. Pick the box. Choose a box roughly 50mm larger than the frame on every side and place the frame gently in it. Fill the gap with a cardboard layer pad or void fill so the piece sits snugly and cannot shift.

6. Seal and label. Tape every seam with strong parcel tape, mark the parcel as fragile, and add a "this way up" note to keep it upright.

Framed Art Packing Materials at a Glance

Preparing Your Framed Art for Shipping with Globe Packaging Supplies

Match the box to the frame, layer the protection in the right order, and framed art reaches its destination the way it left. Globe Packaging stocks every item needed to do that, including double-wall boxes, flat single-wall boxes, small bubble wrap, foam corner protectors, and acid-free tissue, all from one UK depot.

The products are sized to work together, so corner protectors grip the frame thickness and the box still closes cleanly over the padding. Orders placed before 4pm are dispatched the same day, with next-working-day UK mainland delivery on orders over £50. Browse the full framed art packaging range at Globe Packaging and get everything you need in a single order.

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