Not sure if this is the right place for this question

[ChowChi-Ching]

But I was wondering what the best way to ship large format pictures would be? (16x20 - 20-30, etc) I have heard to use the postal service tubes but have also been warned against that as customers are not always gentle about removing the contents and can scratch the picture, as well as they can get bent, or the picture can crease in there.....and I have also been told to order hard pre made cardboard boxes and place my picture between to corrugated cardboard piece and have it shipped that way.
I also have not decided whether or not to matte my photos or not, I am not framing them for the buyer but was told that it is customary to matte them? I have taken pictures forever, but am new to the business end of it. I don't want unhappy customers. So what is a really good, and SAFE way to ship my pictures, should I matte or not, and how much will all this cost me?? So many questions!! :mad2:

[mjs1973]

I've never shipped anything like that, but everything I order from mpix.com, comes flat, and I like that. Even the 16x24 print. They tape the corners to a flat piece of carboard with gaffer tape, then wrap the whole thing in what looks like wax paper. Then it all goes in a flat cardboard box.

[ChowChi-Ching]

I am also having a hard time finding a seller of the flat cardboard boxes......anyone know of one? That is my preferred way to ship but I do not know where to buy the stuff to do it! LOL

[another view]

U-Line has boxes of about any shape and size you might want. I bought a couple of different sized smaller boxes when I was cleaning out all of my film equipment and they were very easy to deal with. Cheap in quantity too.

I'd recommend a box larger than the print and at least 1" (probably more for boxes these sizes) deep for some strength. My wife and I bought a print on a trip a few years ago and asked the gallery to ship it to us. They used a box that was probably 3" larger than the frame on each size, and it was packed in sheets of foam.

One thing about matting - if you do it, then you control the quality and have the potential to make a few more dollars from it. Plus, you know that it is done, rather than having your print just thrown into a frame and resting against the glass. If you do enough of it, you might look into buying a mat cutter that will handle a full sheet (32" x 40"). Could be cheaper in the long run. I bought one a year ago that I haven't tried yet though...