CRATES FOR TRANSPORTING FRAMED PRINTS

We seem to be doing more exhibitions and it is always a challenge to deliver framed prints.  For years we used heavy cardboard boxes, but they are not that durable.  It was always nerve racking to handle a box of framed prints on a two wheel dolly when transporting a lot of framed prints.  There comes a time when you just have to  build what you need.  Wood crates are by far the best and safest way to transport multiple framed prints.  This is not a difficult project and when you build your own, you can design custom-size transport crates that suit your specific needs.

Building a custom transport box is nothing more than designing a simple wooden crate.  We also make a cover that slips over the top from regular corrugated board.  Gather a few pine boards and a sheet or two of 1/4″ plywood, some hardware and you are ready to start building.   I like to use an air brad nailer and a cutoff saw, but you can get by with a few hand tools.  I rip 1″x10″ lumber into 2″ runners and this requires a table saw.   You could buy pine in 1″x2″ and skip this step if you don’t have a table saw.   The side panels are made by cutting 1/4″ plywood to the desired size and then edging it by nailing and glueing 2″ runners on all four sides.  These panels are then assembled into the box using more glue, brads and deck screws.  The bottom of each crate is reinforced with wooden cleats and also have wooden skids with tapered ends.  Take a look at the photos to get an idea of how our crates are built.

Once the box is assembled, I will go over the outside with a belt sander to smooth things out.  Next I like to use a router with a 1/4″ round-over bit to round all edges.  A little hand sanding and any chance of splinters is pretty much eliminated.

The boxes we use are sized to be about one inch larger than the frames they hold.  Each box holds about 10-15 framed prints and are pretty heavy when filled.  I like to line the inside of the box with single-ply mat board.  This helps to keep the frames from scuffing against the raw wood.  We cut corrugated board just a little larger than the frames and use one sheet between each frame.

It is a pleasure to have nice crates to transport your framed photos.  A few nice sturdy crates protect your framed art and make moving much easier and safer for your work.

JB