Posted by Austin Booth on May 23, 2011 at 11:28 AM
So I finally got myself a wide format printer capable of making high enough quality prints that I can sell. I've decided to start offering prints available on my website through my website through paypal. My wife is a web designer so she can take care of the website part of it but I have some questions regarding order fulfillment.
First of all what is the best way to pack a print for shipping. I'm assuming rolling it up in a tube is a no-no and it should be shipped flat with some sort of cardboard backing to protect it. Is it sufficient to have it sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard in a large oversized envelope? If somehow it is damaged during shipping I would definitely ship another one out free but would I also want to refund like %10 of the purchase price back or only ship another free of charge?
Second, what method should I use to ship it? USPS is definitely cheaper than UPS or FEDEX and they offer a variety of express and overnight services but do they handle it as well? I would like to ship it as cheaply as possible but I'd also like it to be handled with care and arrive in one piece and if USPS is more likely to damage a package than USP or FEDEX then I would rather pay more to make sure it arrives in better shape.
If anyone has any other advice to someone entering the world of online print sales and shipping please share it. Thanks.
Here is a good, basic 'sandwich' for sending an unframed print.
1. Sandwich the print between two pieces of tissue
2. Carefully slide into a plastic bag (clearbags.com)
3. Tape the bag closed to seal it
4. Tape the corners of the bag to a piece of cardboard, or mat board, that is larger than the bag.
5. Lay another piece of cardboard over top of bag.
6. Tape the sandwich together. One piece of tape per side.
7. Place the sandwich into a box that will keep the sandwich from moving about.
8. Include a letter stating what to do in case the print is damaged during shipment.
9. Seal the box.
The USPS will transport boxex up to certain size and weight. If your package meets the specs, use Priority or Express Mail. UPS, or FedEx will ship larger containers. Honestly, you 'pays your nickel, and takes your chance' with any courier. Be sure to insure the package and obtain tracking numbers.
Preston offers very sound instructions. Whenever possible, ship flat, for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, beyond a certain size, say 16 X 24 or 24 X 36 print size (YMMV) shipping flat becomes inconvenient and more prone to damage. For these larger prints, I roll the image around a tube (at least 2.5 to 3" OD) layered with tissue and/or a clearbags plastic bag cut open to roll as a single layer to roll smoother. This, in turn, is wrapped in a turn or two of thin bubble wrap and then slid inside a protective triangle tube with a bit of bubble wrap stuffed into each end. Shipping to date is all USPS, with no issues.
I have never had a print damaged in shipping. In fact, all feedback typically begins with comments on the "carefully packaged print". My shipping costs are figured at a flat $10 per print, and these days I may lose a bit on that rate for individual orders (it costs the same to ship multiple prints as singles), but the lack of returns, satisfies customers and general peace of mind make it worthwhile.
From personal experience: I made the mistake of leaving a packaged order on the top of my car and drove off to the post office a few months ago. I realized my mistake when I saw the package bouncing end over end down the street behind me in my review mirror! The prints were completely unharmed. 'Nuff said!
You might want to check out Uline.com for shipping materials. It is often difficult to find appropriate materials locally for art/photo shipment and/or they are prohibitively expensive. I find the USPS to be as or more reliable than UPS or FedEx. I've had the latter leave packages on my porch that I was supposed to sign for when I wasn't at home. They never did get a signature, at least not from me or anyone else that I know of. I don't know how that worked out with their record keeping.
I agree with Preston on getting insurance on any package. I sent a print to Florida, (24x30). I was packed much as Preston described. The cardboard layers ended up being a minimum of 2 inches thick. Didn't matter. When it arrived it had been folded almost in half by UPS. Then they fought about who was at fault. The receiving UPS wanted to blame the sending UPS and the sending UPS said it was fine when it left. Sheesh!!
I ship lots of prints. I use two stiff pieces of cardboard for the outside(slightly larger than the print to protect the corners of the photo and a third inside for good measure. I pack the photo in a "clear bags" sheet of plastic and a slice of matboard. Seal it all up with packaging tape. A delivery person would have to go out of they're way to bend one of my packages.
It's simple, cheap and it works. I've had almost no problems with damage so I don't even bother with insaurance anymore.
Thanks for all the shipping info. So my printer does up to 13"x19" prints but that seems like somewhat of an odd size for a photo print. What print sizes should I offer? 8"x10", 11"x14" and 16"x20" (from a photo lab)? Or is it fine to offer an odd size like 13x19 because they can always use a bigger frame and have the mat cut to size? Also I'm assuming I should sign each print, I was wondering where I should sign it?
Discussion
7 repliesFirst of all what is the best way to pack a print for shipping. I'm assuming rolling it up in a tube is a no-no and it should be shipped flat with some sort of cardboard backing to protect it. Is it sufficient to have it sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard in a large oversized envelope? If somehow it is damaged during shipping I would definitely ship another one out free but would I also want to refund like %10 of the purchase price back or only ship another free of charge?
Second, what method should I use to ship it? USPS is definitely cheaper than UPS or FEDEX and they offer a variety of express and overnight services but do they handle it as well? I would like to ship it as cheaply as possible but I'd also like it to be handled with care and arrive in one piece and if USPS is more likely to damage a package than USP or FEDEX then I would rather pay more to make sure it arrives in better shape.
If anyone has any other advice to someone entering the world of online print sales and shipping please share it. Thanks.
Austin Booth
1. Sandwich the print between two pieces of tissue
2. Carefully slide into a plastic bag (clearbags.com)
3. Tape the bag closed to seal it
4. Tape the corners of the bag to a piece of cardboard, or mat board, that is larger than the bag.
5. Lay another piece of cardboard over top of bag.
6. Tape the sandwich together. One piece of tape per side.
7. Place the sandwich into a box that will keep the sandwich from moving about.
8. Include a letter stating what to do in case the print is damaged during shipment.
9. Seal the box.
The USPS will transport boxex up to certain size and weight. If your package meets the specs, use Priority or Express Mail. UPS, or FedEx will ship larger containers. Honestly, you 'pays your nickel, and takes your chance' with any courier. Be sure to insure the package and obtain tracking numbers.
I hope this helps,
--p
Preston offers very sound instructions. Whenever possible, ship flat, for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, beyond a certain size, say 16 X 24 or 24 X 36 print size (YMMV) shipping flat becomes inconvenient and more prone to damage. For these larger prints, I roll the image around a tube (at least 2.5 to 3" OD) layered with tissue and/or a clearbags plastic bag cut open to roll as a single layer to roll smoother. This, in turn, is wrapped in a turn or two of thin bubble wrap and then slid inside a protective triangle tube with a bit of bubble wrap stuffed into each end. Shipping to date is all USPS, with no issues.
I have never had a print damaged in shipping. In fact, all feedback typically begins with comments on the "carefully packaged print". My shipping costs are figured at a flat $10 per print, and these days I may lose a bit on that rate for individual orders (it costs the same to ship multiple prints as singles), but the lack of returns, satisfies customers and general peace of mind make it worthwhile.
From personal experience: I made the mistake of leaving a packaged order on the top of my car and drove off to the post office a few months ago. I realized my mistake when I saw the package bouncing end over end down the street behind me in my review mirror! The prints were completely unharmed. 'Nuff said!
It's simple, cheap and it works. I've had almost no problems with damage so I don't even bother with insaurance anymore.