Packing and Shipping Framed Prints Without Damage
Shipping framed prints across Australia requires more than a quick trip to the post office. With distances stretching from Perth to Brisbane and unpredictable weather along the way, even a short domestic delivery can put a delicate frame through the wringer. Photographers, artists, and gift-givers all face the same challenge: getting a glass-fronted piece from point A to point B without a single crack, scratch, or shifted corner.
The good news is that with the right preparation and a few locally-sourced materials, framed prints can travel safely by road or air. Australia Post, StarTrack, and a growing network of regional couriers each offer different advantages depending on whether you are posting a small keepsake or a metre-wide canvas. Understanding how these services handle fragile goods, and how Australian conditions affect packaging, is the first step toward a damage-free arrival.
Choosing an Australian Carrier for Framed Prints
For most Australian senders, the choice begins with Australia Post. The national network reaches every postcode from Cairns to Kalgoorlie, and its Parcel Post and Express services include options for fragile items. StarTrack, owned by Australia Post, is often faster between major capitals such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, though it charges a premium for the speed. Private carriers like Toll, CouriersPlease, and Sendle provide alternatives, especially for businesses shipping in volume from Brisbane or Perth.
Regional considerations matter too. A print travelling from Hobart to Darwin will pass through multiple distribution hubs and several climate zones, including tropical humidity and outback heat. Senders should factor in transit times of three to seven days for standard services, and always opt for a carrier that scans packages at each handover point. Tracking visibility makes a real difference when something goes missing between sorting facilities.
Essential Packing Materials and Where to Find Them
Start with a double-walled cardboard box that is at least 8 to 10 centimetres larger than the frame on every side. Australian packaging suppliers such as Packline in Melbourne or Brisbane-based Pack Plus stock specialty boxes designed for flat artwork. You will also need acid-free tissue paper, bubble wrap with a minimum 10mm bubble diameter, cardboard corner protectors, and strong packing tape — not cheap masking tape, which loses grip in humid coastal air.
Local framing shops in cities like Adelaide and Fremantle often sell offcuts of foam core and cardboard at low cost, which is useful for custom-fitting the box. Avoid polystyrene peanuts if you can; they shift during transit and can scratch the frame's surface. Crumpled kraft paper or corrugated cardboard inserts hold the print in place far more reliably and are easier to recycle once the package is opened.
Wrapping the Frame
Before any bubble wrap touches the glass, lay a strip of painter's tape across the surface in an X or hashtag pattern. This technique holds shards together if the glass cracks, preventing loose fragments from damaging the print behind it. Many Australian framers in Brisbane and Sydney recommend this as a low-cost insurance step, particularly for older pieces with original glass that may already have small stress fractures.
Next, wrap acid-free tissue around the entire frame to protect the finish, then add a layer of bubble wrap secured with tape. Slip cardboard corner protectors over each of the four corners — these are the most vulnerable points during handling, especially when Australia Post drivers stack parcels in delivery vans. Tuck any loose tape ends inward so they do not snag on other surfaces during the journey.
For photographers who print their own work, consulting a guide on proof sheets can help you choose which shots are worth framing in the first place, saving you the heartbreak of shipping a print you later wish you had kept as a digital file.
Boxing the Framed Print Properly
Place a layer of crumpled kraft paper or corrugated cardboard on the bottom of the box. Set the wrapped frame upright inside, never flat, as flat positioning puts pressure on the glass and can cause it to bow or crack. Fill the remaining space on all sides with cushioning material so the frame cannot shift when the box is lifted or tipped.
The right approach depends on the size and weight of your piece.
| Method |
Best For |
Cost |
Protection Level |
| Single box with bubble wrap |
Small frames under 30×40 cm |
Low |
Moderate |
| Double-box method (box within a box) |
Medium frames, glass-fronted |
Medium |
High |
| Custom foam-lined crate |
Large prints, originals, canvases |
High |
Very high |
| Telescopic cardboard box |
Variable frame sizes |
Medium |
High |
Most photographers shipping standard A3 or A2 frames opt for the double-box method. This involves placing the wrapped frame inside a snug inner box, then surrounding that box with at least 5 cm of cushioning inside a larger outer box. The outer carton absorbs any impact before it reaches the glass, while the inner carton keeps the frame stable. Seal both boxes with at least two strips of packing tape on every seam, and press firmly to remove air pockets that could let moisture in during a sudden Brisbane thunderstorm or a Perth heatwave.
Labelling, Insurance, and Tracking
Clear labelling prevents a lot of damage before it starts. Write "FRAGILE — GLASS" in capital letters on at least two sides of the outer box, along with directional arrows indicating "THIS WAY UP." Avoid relying on fragile stickers alone, as automated sorting systems do not always honour them. Add a return address on the inside of the box as well, in case the outer label is damaged in transit.
Australia Post and most private couriers offer optional transit insurance for valuables. For prints valued over $500, this small fee is worth the peace of mind. StarTrack's Premium service includes insurance up to $5,000 by default, which suits galleries shipping from Melbourne to Sydney. Always photograph the package and the wrapped frame before sealing the box; timestamped images provide evidence if you need to file a claim.
When you are ready to send the parcel, drop it at a post office rather than a red street mailbox, so a staff member can confirm the address label and weigh it accurately. Customers who order their prints directly from The Photo Place website can also arrange courier pickup for finished wall decor, removing the need to visit a post office altogether.
Navigating Quarantine for International Shipments
Sending framed prints overseas from Australia involves an extra layer of biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry requires that all wood packaging materials — including wooden crates, plywood, and even some cardboard with wood fibre — be treated and marked in line with ISPM 15 international standards. Most cardboard boxes sold in Australian hardware stores already meet this standard, but it is worth checking the stamp on the side of any wooden crate before using it.
Biosecurity officers may inspect incoming parcels at the destination country. New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries, for example, frequently checks packages arriving from Australia for organic material such as plant-based inks or untreated timber. Indonesian and Singaporean customs apply similar scrutiny. Always declare the contents accurately and attach a copy of the invoice to the outside of the box in a clear pouch, so customs agents do not have to open and disturb the packaging.
Customs delays can be frustrating, and many senders spend the waiting time browsing other online content — perhaps even an unrelated read found while exploring the lab's blog between shipments.
A well-packed framed print will survive almost anything the Australian delivery network throws at it, from a four-day truck ride across the Nullarbor to a sudden tropical downpour in Far North Queensland. The key is generous cushioning, sealed seams, accurate labelling, and realistic insurance coverage. Before taping the outer box shut, double-check that the inner frame is snug, the glass is taped in an X pattern, and your tracking number is saved to your phone. Your next step is straightforward: weigh the sealed package at your local post office, compare the Parcel Post and Express rates for your route, and choose the option that balances cost against transit time.
