How to Package and Ship Small Watercolor Paintings for Sale

This is a brief summary of how I pack up and ship small (8x10 or smaller) watercolor paintings!
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Leave me a comment! I'd love to hear your thoughts and if you do anything different when you're shipping paintings.
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Here are the packaging materials I like to use:
Elmer's Foam Board, White Surface with White Core, 8x10 ➡️ amzn.to/3IjR56V
Clear Plastic Self Adhesive Sleeves ➡️ amzn.to/3lhcUtM
Pre-cut mats ➡️ amzn.to/3xuZTBO
Hard side mailers ➡️ amzn.to/3p1RPos
Brother Monochromatic Laser Printer ➡️ amzn.to/3D463Kt
Avery Internet Shipping Labels 5126 ➡️ amzn.to/3xB59nx
Tape Gun & Shipping Tape ➡️ amzn.to/3D1qLdO
Ribbon or twine
Thank you cards (I design my own)
🎥 Film & Editing Gear 🎞️
- Canon EOS R Plus RF24-105mm F4-7.1 is STM Lens Kit ➡️ amzn.to/3pC8mR9
- Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens ➡️ amzn.to/35uGlUS
- Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Vlogging Camera Kit with EF-M 15-45mm Lens ➡️ amzn.to/3MlGdYl
- Studio Lights ➡️ amzn.to/2Tz1xib
- Manfrotto 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod ➡️ amzn.to/3sNshi8
- Manfrotto 502 Video Head MVH502AH ➡️ amzn.to/35QTU0w
- pangshi 11inch Adjustable Articulating Friction Magic Arm ➡️ amzn.to/3CkT73X
Please note, some of these links are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. This allows me to continue creating helpful and entertaining free content! I only recommend products that I use and love.

[@mindeebeaver9688]

Very helpful as I'm getting ready to ship my first watercolor painting. I've only shipped acrylics on canvases before. Perfect timing for this information. THANK YOU!!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Oh I’m so glad!

[@carlatucker3447]

Thank you Emily! That was great

[@acerituraj4153]

Short but precise. Love the video. Keep up the good work and really eager for the upcoming artistic treats from this channel.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I appreciate that!

[@MastiffMike1]

Great info! Most of my work I do on 11x17 (tabloid) paper and I use 13x18 Stayflat mailers (though I use the white version). I use the tab version like you because I'm hand delivering them and therefore I don't close them (it's more to protect the paper during transport). However, if I was shipping or if they were going to be opened/closed multiple times, I'd consider paying the little extra and get the self-sealing version since the tabs can be a little finicky to insert into their slots (though the added cost impacts someone's bottom line). I find them also a handy way to store stuff when I'm done with the project (I use 12x18 size stacking paper trays for in-progress projects, and 11x17 hanging file folders for items I'm going to reference frequently over the years). Even though I have metal flat files, the Stayflats are easier to store and retrieve from as each project gets it's own labeled envelope instead of being buried in a drawer of a flat file. FWIW, looking at current pricing from ULINE they're a little cheaper than Amazon, but not significantly (case quantity = 100, price goes down if you order more though): NOTE: These are for the 13x18 sized ones, NOT the size shown in the video, just the size I use and showing the price changes based on which color/closure type desired: - 13x18 kraft tab version = $75 --------------- $68/case when ordering 2 cases --------------- $63/case when ordering 5 cases --------------- $56/case when ordering 10 cases - 13x18 white tab version = $77 - 13x18 kraft self-sealing = $84 - 13x18 white self-sealing = $87 - 13x18 black self-sealing = $119 - 14x17x1 gusseted white self-sealing = $89 [The side loading version is not available larger than 10x12] I'd also note, that while the Stayflats are available in sizes up to 22x27, they get pretty flimsy once the size gets above about 18" (because the thickness isn't increased, just the size is). Stayflats are awesome for 8x10's and under, but I'd hesitate to ship/mail something larger than 11x17 in them (for larger stuff I go the rolled route and use different products, but again, I'm delivering the work and not shipping).

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Great info! Thanks for sharing!

[@musicmom7889]

Thank you! I have been wondering how to package and ship👍

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

🙌

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

Excellent. I'm making a list of things I'll need to start selling.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

🙌

[@caressegarcia]

Thank you so much for sharing this helpful info and your painting was lovely. I do want to mention that you may want to blur the addresses that are on the receipt, they're legible.

[@aleksandrakoodziejczyk191]

Thank you for the video. I was looking for answer

[@Nasauniverse001]

Thank you for the demo. Can I just say tI would not use that thick string, because the way our mail gets jumbled about in transit, anything heavy on top would maybe make a string impression on the mount or worse still on the picture. Just a thought.

[@123yakissoba]

Thank you!🙏

[@Tammykaye]

Thank you so much, your packing process makes the product look absolutely enticing! Beautiful painting by the way 😊 Where do you get your foam core backing for packing? How much does it cost? Thank you!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I forgot to add that item to the description! Thanks for bringing that up! I use Elmer's foam core--you can get them in packs of 5 or 10, sized 8x10 or 11x14 or larger. The 8x10s are a little over a dollar a piece, but they add so much stability to your shipment and a quality touch, I feel it's worth the cost. Amazon or any craft store will sell them.

[@shoshirlb1165]

Thank you, Emily!!! :0)

[@rebeccam1495]

Thank you

[@cindybaird9589]

Really helpful, thank you!

[@IHaveaQuestion87]

This may be a stupid question but how do you stick the front part to the foam board?

[@beelovesbuzzing]

Quick question if you're still answering, if you sell A4 sized watercolour paintings, do you need to protect it with a transparent paper? Is it necessary to frame the artwork or can you give the artwork without framing it

[@alemanalondon]

thank you very helpfull

[@barbarawest1914]

Such a helpful video! What acid free tape do you use to mount paintings to mats? Do you have a link to it? Thank you.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I use Blick artist's tape. :)

[@Becismee]

Hiya! What paper do you use to do the watercolour paintings?

[@amydevaneart]

Hi! For your prints that you sell, do you print it yourself or do you use a printing company? I have thoroughly enjoyed your videos and I have learned so much in your watercolor mastery membership.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I do use a printing company--they do everything--print and drop ship it, and the quality is amazing.

[@amydevaneart]

@@EmilyOlsonArt can I ask your recommendations on printing companies? I’ve looked into Printify and Finerworks.

[@emilyo395]

@@amydevaneart I love Finerworks!

[@amydevaneart]

@@emilyo395 Thank you!

[@KARENK1]

What do you use to ship UPS or Postal Service. How expensive is it to ship 5x7 or 9x 12- Thank u 😘

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Usually USPS, and cost is usually between $8-10

[@KARENK1]

Thank u 😘

[@____vish]

First

[@bunnybom1596]

No rope.