How We Pack and Ship Fine Art Prints (And Why It Matters)

If you’ve ever bought or sold art prints online, you’ll know that shipping can make or break the customer experience. No matter how beautiful the artwork or precise the print, if it arrives damaged, bent, or creased, it’s a disappointment for everyone involved.

At Giclée UK, we understand how important packaging is — especially when you’re trusting us to handle high-value, limited-edition, or irreplaceable work. That’s why we take packing and shipping as seriously as the printing itself.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how we prepare, protect, and ship fine art Giclée prints, and explain why these steps are so important for artists, collectors, and customers alike.

📦 Why Packaging Matters for Fine Art Prints

Giclée prints are designed to be archival, long-lasting, and visually perfect. But they’re also delicate. Even small scuffs, dents, or creases can affect their value and appearance — especially if they’re being sold as limited editions or collector’s items.

Professional packaging is about more than avoiding damage:

• It protects your reputation as an artist or brand

• It adds perceived value for the customer

• It shows respect for your own work

• It reduces refunds, returns, and complaints

In short: how the print arrives says a lot about where it came from.

🧴 Step 1: Protective Handling from the Start

Before packaging begins, we always ensure that handling is done with care.

• Prints are allowed to fully dry after printing to avoid smudges or marks

• We handle all prints with clean, dry hands (gloves for sensitive papers)

• Your print is placed on an acid-free surface and inspected for dust or imperfections before packing

This may seem like a small step, but it’s essential to keeping your artwork in flawless condition.

🧻 Step 2: Acid-Free Tissue Wrap

Every print is wrapped in acid-free tissue paper, which protects the surface from:

• Scratches

• Dust or dirt

• Ink transfer (especially important with matte or textured papers)

We never use wax paper, plastic sleeves, or sticky materials directly on your artwork. The tissue wrap provides a clean barrier that won’t affect the print over time.

🪵 Step 3: Choosing the Right Packing Format

Depending on the size, paper type, and quantity of prints, we choose from two primary shipping methods:

✅ 1. Flat Packed (Best for Smaller or Heavier Papers)

For A4, A3, or small batches of thick, textured paper, flat packing is the safest method.

What we use:

• Stiff backing board (to prevent bending)

• Acid-free tissue paper

• Rigid mailer or double-wall cardboard envelope

• Optional: plastic sleeve around entire bundle for weather protection

Best for:

• Prints with texture or curl-resistance

• Smaller open-edition runs

• Ready-to-frame pieces

✅ 2. Rolled in a Tube (Best for Larger Sizes)

For A2, A1, and larger-format prints, we roll your artwork with great care and ship it in a heavy-duty cardboard mailing tube.

What we use:

• Acid-free tissue paper (inner layer)

• Roll with the printed side facing out to prevent cracking

• Inner sleeve or second wrap to prevent movement

• 3mm–5mm wall cardboard tubes with plastic end caps

• Optional: bubble wrap around the outside if going via courier

Best for:

• Posters

• Oversized artwork

• International shipments

💡 Note: We always roll loosely — not too tight — to protect against paper cracking or warping.

🌍 Step 4: Choosing the Right Courier or Postal Service

We ship using tracked and insured delivery methods wherever possible. Based on destination and urgency, we’ll recommend:

• Royal Mail Tracked 24/48 – For most UK orders (great for A4/A3 flat packs)

• ParcelForce / DPD / UPS – For larger or high-value orders

• International Tracked Services – With customs-compliant packaging and labels

We’ll always provide a tracking number once your order has been dispatched.

If you have a preferred courier or account number, we can ship using your method too — just let us know.

🎁 Optional: Branding and Extras

If you’re selling prints through your own brand or store, we can work with you to add:

• Custom stickers or labels

• Thank-you cards

• Certificates of authenticity

• Branded packing slips

This is especially useful for artists selling drop-shipped orders — we can print and ship your work directly to your customers without them ever knowing it came from us.

Want to include a free gift or promotional flyer? Just send it to us and we’ll pack it with care.

🛡️ What If a Print Gets Damaged in Transit?

It’s rare, but no shipping method is 100% foolproof. That’s why we:

• Use insurance on high-value or international orders

• Ask customers to photograph any damage upon arrival

• Offer reprints or replacements where appropriate

We track packing trends closely and tweak our methods over time based on feedback and success rates. If there’s ever a problem, we’ll make it right — fast.

🔄 Drop-Shipping for Artists & Online Stores

Running an Etsy store? Selling on Shopify or WooCommerce? We can ship directly to your customers with:

• No branding from us

• Custom packaging as needed

• White-label paperwork

• Your return address (optional)

This service is perfect if you want to offer prints without holding stock or worrying about fulfilment.

We already work with many independent artists and photographers around the UK doing exactly this.

📤 Sustainable Packaging Options

We’re committed to being environmentally responsible and are gradually integrating more eco-friendly options into our packaging, including:

• Recyclable tubes and mailers

• Plastic-free tissue wrap

• Minimal packaging where appropriate

If you want your prints packed using fully recyclable or biodegradable materials, just let us know — we’re happy to tailor the solution to your values.

📋 Summary: What You Can Expect from Giclée UK

🏁 Final Thoughts

Great printing deserves great presentation — and at Giclée UK, we take every step to ensure your prints arrive in perfect condition, beautifully packed and ready to impress.

Whether you’re printing for yourself or selling to customers around the world, we treat your artwork with the same care we’d want for our own.

Got a specific shipping request? Drop us a line — we’ll make it work.