How to Pack Picture Frames for Shipping

Co-authored by Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®

Last Updated: October 17, 2024 References

Like all forms of art, picture frames require a little extra attention during the shipping process. Whether you’re sending someone a gift, submitting your work to a gallery, or moving away, properly packing your picture frames will help ensure they arrive at their destination in one piece.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Protecting the Glass

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1
Grab a roll of artist tape. To help protect your frame throughout the shipping process, you’ll cover it in a layer of artist or painters tape. That way, if it breaks during transit, the shattered shards will stick to the tape instead of falling onto the artwork. Do not use masking tape or similar high-tack adhesives since they are difficult to remove and can leave an annoying film on the frame. ^{[1]
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- Artist tape is available at most craft, home supply, and discount stores.
Lay down 2 strips of artist tape over the glass in an X formation, with each piece stretching diagonally from 1 corner to the other. Then, lay down 2 more strips in the form of a cross or plus sign, with the tape stretching from the midpoint of 1 side to the midpoint of the other. ^{[2]
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Lay down strips of vertical and horizontal artist tape over the entire sheet of glass. You can apply the strips in any order, but by the end they should cover every section of glass. For extra protection, lay the tape down in an overlapping grid pattern. ^{[3]
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Tape can be particularly difficult to remove from a border and, in many cases, will create unnecessary damage. If you have extra tape at the end of a strip, either cut the ends off with scissors or fold the ends back on themselves and secure them with more tape. ^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Covering the Frame

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1
Wrap brown paper around the frame. Place a sheet of brown paper on a flat surface. Smooth out the paper, then set your picture frame on top of it facing down. Grab the long edges of the paper and pull them over the picture frame, securing them with artist tape. Then, fold the small edges of the paper in, pull them over the picture frame, and hold them in place with more tape. ^{[5]
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- You can purchase brown shipping paper at most craft and shipping supply stores.
Buy 4 protective cardboard corners, typically available at a craft supply or shipping store. If they do not come pre-built, put them together by following the instructions included with the purchase or printed on the corners themselves. Then, place a cardboard protector on every corner of your picture frame, better shielding them from impact damage. ^{[6]
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Grab a sheet of cardboard that is about the same size as your painting. Lay it over the top side of the picture frame so that the glass has an extra layer of defense. Though not necessary, you can secure it to the brown paper with artist tape if you wish. ^{[7]
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4
Cover your picture frame with bubble wrap. Put down a piece of bubble wrap and set your picture frame on top of it. Grab the long ends of the protective material and wrap them tightly around your frame, securing them with masking tape. Then, fold the short ends up over the frame and tape them down. For picture frames containing particularly valuable works of art, add 1 to 2 additional layers of bubble wrap. ^{[8]
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- Look for bubble wrap at discount, craft, and shipping supply stores.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Boxing the Frame

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Go to a shipping supply or craft store and buy a slim cardboard packing container. The box should be thick enough to withstand general wear and tear. If possible, get a box that is slightly larger than your picture frame, that way you can pad it for extra safety. ^{[9]
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Expert Source

Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®
Professional Move Manager

Expert Interview. 14 January 2020.}
If you’re using a top opening box, put a layer of bubble wrap down, set your picture frame on it, and cover the frame with another layer of bubble wrap. If you’re using a side-opening box, place a small tube of bubble wrap inside, slide your art in, then place another tube of wrap on top. ^{[10]
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To keep your picture frame from shifting during transit, fill any empty areas with bubble wrap or a similar thick packing material. Put in enough bubble wrap that if you shake the box while it’s closed you cannot feel the painting move. ^{[11]
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Expert Source

Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®
Professional Move Manager

Expert Interview. 14 January 2020.}
Close the lid of your box and secure the seam with masking tape. Then, wrap all 4 thin sides of the box with additional masking tape, making sure no area goes uncovered. The tape will help reinforce your box, making it less likely to bust open. ^{[12]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Where can I get boxes if I'm packing a bunch of frames and photos?

Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®
Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager
Marty Stevens-Heebner is a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Clear Home Solutions, a home organizing and senior moving management company based in Southern California. Marty is the President of the National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers (NASMM), with certifications in Senior and Specialty Move Management, Professional Organizing, and Aging in Place. Clear Home Solutions was the first nationally accredited firm in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Marty is the first Certified Senior Move Manager (SMM-C) in the United States and has been acknowledged as a Hoarding Specialist and ADHD Specialist through the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Marty also hosts How to Move Your Mom (and still be on speaking terms afterward), a podcast dedicated to later life and all its idiosyncrasies. She received her B.A. in History from Cornell University and an MFA from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®

Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager

Expert Answer

You can always go to a store and buy moving boxes, but this can be a little costly depending on how much stuff you're packing. Another option is to start collecting boxes in advance. Hold on to all of those Amazon boxes and keep the boxes you pick up when you're shopping. You can also go to a restaurant or supermarket and see if they have boxes they're giving away.

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Question

How do you wrap a framed picture for shipping?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Start by protecting the glass. Lay down 2 strips of artist tape over the glass in an X formation, with each piece stretching diagonally from 1 corner to the other. Then, lay down 2 more strips in the form of a cross or plus sign, with the tape stretching from the midpoint of 1 side to the midpoint of the other. Then, wrap a sheet of brown paper around the frame and use cardboard covers to protect the frame corners. Grab a sheet of cardboard that is about the same size as your painting. Lay it over the top side of the picture frame so that the glass has an extra layer of defense. Finally, wrap the whole frame in a layer of bubble wrap to really protect it against bumps. For picture frames containing particularly valuable framed pictures, add 1 to 2 additional layers of bubble wrap.

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Question

What is the best way to pack large picture frames for moving?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Tape the glass in a grid pattern to protect against breaks. Lay down strips of vertical and horizontal artist tape over the entire sheet of glass. You can apply the strips in any order, but by the end they should cover every section of glass. Then, warp the frame in brown paper and stick cardboard covers on the corners to guard against bumps along the way. Put a cardboard sheet on the top side of the frame and wrap the whole thing in bubble wrap. Get a box that is slightly larger than your picture frame, that way you can pad it for extra safety. Slide your wrapped frames in the box and fill the open space with bubble wrap. Close the lid of your box and secure the seam with masking tape. Then, wrap all 4 thin sides of the box with additional masking tape to help reinforce the box.

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Things You’ll Need

Picture frame
Artist and masking tape
Scissors
Brown paper
Cardboard corners
Cardboard sheet
Bubble wrap
Cardboard shipping box

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Expert Source

Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®
Professional Move Manager

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How to Pack Picture Frames for Shipping

Steps

Protecting the Glass

Covering the Frame

Boxing the Frame

Expert Q&A

Tips

Things You’ll Need

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