Short answer
A picture frame box is a flat, deep sided corrugated box, usually made to the exact outer size of the frame plus a cushioning allowance. For most framed prints a single wall 150BC box with corner pads is enough. For glazed frames, mirrors and anything over about 800mm on the long edge, move to double wall board and add edge protection. We make picture frame boxes to measure at our Letchworth Garden City factory, so the box fits the frame rather than the frame rattling inside a stock box.
Why frames get damaged in transit
Almost all frame damage comes from three things: glass flexing until it cracks, corners taking a point load when the parcel is dropped on its end, and the frame moving inside an oversized box. Couriers sort parcels on their edges and corners, so the corners are exactly where the protection needs to be.
- Glass or acrylic cracking because the face of the box has nothing supporting it
- Crushed or split corners from an end drop
- Rubbed and scuffed frame mouldings where the frame has slid inside the box
- Board collapsing under stacking weight when the box is too tall and too thin
Box styles that work for frames
- Made to measure FEFCO 0201 with a shallow depth. Simple, strong, and the cheapest per box on longer runs.
- Book wrap or postal wrap for smaller unglazed prints and canvases up to around A2. Folds around the item and needs no void fill.
- Two piece telescopic boxes for large or awkward frames where a single blank would be unwieldy. Also useful when one size has to cover a range of frames.
- Corner pads and U profile edge protectors inside any of the above. This is the part people skip and then regret.
Common picture frame box sizes
These are the sizes we get asked for most often. They are internal dimensions and already include a small allowance over the frame, but the safest route is to send us your actual frame sizes and let us cut the box to fit.
| Frame size | Suggested internal box size (mm) | Suggested board |
|---|---|---|
| A4 print | 230 x 320 x 40 | Single wall 125K |
| A3 print | 320 x 450 x 50 | Single wall 150BC |
| A2 framed print | 450 x 630 x 60 | Single wall 150BC |
| A1 framed print | 630 x 880 x 70 | Double wall 200BC |
| Large mirror up to 1200mm | 800 x 1250 x 90 | Double wall 200BC with edge protection |
| Deep box canvas | Frame size plus 60mm on depth | Single wall 150BC |
Board weight varies between mills, so treat grades as a guide rather than a fixed specification. We will confirm the grade on your quote.
How to pack a framed picture properly
- Tape the glass in a cross pattern, or fit a sheet of glass film, so that if it does break the shards stay put.
- Wrap the frame in tissue or foam wrap to stop the moulding rubbing.
- Fit corner pads on all four corners. On anything over 800mm add U profile edge protection along the long edges.
- Slide the frame into a box that fits, with no more than 10 to 15mm of movement on any face.
- Fill the remaining void with paper air cushions or paper pads so nothing shifts.
- Tape all seams with paper tape and mark the parcel as fragile and flat, not to be stacked.
Printed boxes for galleries and framers
If you ship frames regularly, a printed box earns its keep. One or two colour flexo print on the box carries your logo, handling marks and a this way up instruction, and it makes the unboxing feel like part of the product rather than an afterthought. For shorter runs or seasonal ranges we can arrange litho laminated or digital print through our print partners.
Courier size limits worth knowing
Most UK courier networks charge on volumetric weight and apply a length surcharge past around 1200mm, with hard limits on anything over 1500mm. Getting the box depth down often moves a parcel into a cheaper band, which is why a made to measure box frequently costs less to ship than a stock box that is 40mm too deep.
Send us the frame dimensions, the glazing and the courier you use and we will come back with a box size, a board grade and the protection you need, with a sample before you commit to a run.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you make picture frame boxes to measure?
- Yes. We manufacture corrugated picture frame boxes to your exact frame sizes at our Letchworth Garden City factory, from one off samples through to pallet quantities.
- What board should I use for a glazed frame?
- Single wall 150BC is fine up to around A2. Above that, or for any mirror, use double wall 200BC and add corner pads and edge protection.
- Can I get picture frame boxes printed?
- Yes. One and two colour flexo print in house, with litho lamination and digital print available through our print partners for higher coverage work.
- What is the minimum order quantity?
- It depends on the size and style, but made to measure runs usually start in the low hundreds. Ask us and we will tell you the honest break point on price.
Get a picture frame box quote
Send us your frame sizes, whether they are glazed, and how they ship. We will quote a made to measure box with the right board and protection, and make you a sample first.
Request a quote