September 12th, 2018 by Chris Race
A stone sculpture requires a heavy crate
We built a sturdy wooden crate for this 400-pound Colorado Marble cougar sculpture from John Kessler. Total shipping weight of 500 pounds meant it shipped to Florida with a freight carrier.
John Kessler cougar sculpture
Posted in Artwork Shipping, Crating, LTL Truck Freight
April 9th, 2018 by Chris Race
Weight and dimensions determine shipping methods
Pictures tell the story. Even though the packages in the first photo look “large,” they are actually small packages shipping FedEx Ground. They include a rug and some paintings from the Discover Goodwill online auction. The second and third represent freight shipping — from prepping to pickup by the carrier. The crate (barely visible near the door) in the third photo contains a bronze bird. The boxes on the floor are from an estate and the boxes on the pack table are a sentimental cradle. The three pallet shipments in the second photo are the cradle, the estate items, and a van conversion kit from Wayfarer Vans.
Small Packages Ready for FedEx Ground
3 Pallets Ready for Freight Pickup
3 Shipments: Two on Pallets; One in a Crate
Posted in Artwork Shipping, Auction Shipping, Crating, Custom Box, Estate Shipping, FedEx, Freight, Pallet, Shipping
February 24th, 2018 by Chris Race
Pak Mail builds custom corrugated boxes & wood crates
Mailbox customer looks at the large corrugated box being prepared for a grandfather clock and says, “Now that’s a big box!”
Another private mailbox renter comments on a very large (80″ tall) wood crate, “I don’t think that’s big enough!”
Our regular customers enjoy seeing our shipping challenges and express disappointment when the front lobby is empty. Luckily, that’s a rare occurrence. This week was a mix of Goodwill auction, estate (the clock), basketball tournament, USAFA, online returns, small business, and gift shipping. Some items ship as small packages with UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS; some require a pallet and ship with LTL freight carriers.
We never know what will come through the front door next! It keeps our regulars entertained.
large custom wood crate
large custom corrugated box
Posted in Crating, Custom Box, DHL, FedEx, LTL Truck Freight, Shipping, UPS, USPS Priority Mail
October 30th, 2017 by Chris Race
Fragility, value and shipping method determine packaging preparation
Pak Mail prepares items for packing and shipping based on several factors including fragility, value, and shipping method. Packaging prep for non-fragile items like clothing or soft toys is simple: place the items in a bag to keep them clean, then into the appropriate box for shipping with UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS, or freight. Easy!
Packaging preparation for shipping other items is a little more complicated. The shipping method — freight on a pallet or small package — is the first consideration.
- Freight on a pallet: Small pieces of framed artwork require glass mask, small bubble, and corrugated sandwiches. A small amount of cushioning material will keep them safe during transport. These pieces shipped with the furniture shown in #4. This same artwork shipped as a small package requires two inches of protection around all dimensions (large bubble and packing peanuts).
- Small package with FedEx ground: High-value artwork needs soft foam on the plaster frame, acid-free paper on the painting, and Styro lining before being placed in a custom wooden crate.
- Freight on a pallet: Van conversion kits from Wayfarer Vans are wrapped in felt blankets and placed in custom corrugated boxes.
- Freight on a pallet: Delicate furniture is wrapped in a felt blanket before placing in a Styro-lined box.
1. preparing framed artwork
2. preparing high-value artwork for crate
3. preparing van conversion kit
4. preparing fine furniture
Posted in Artwork Shipping, Crating, DHL, FedEx, Freight, Furniture Shipping, Packaging, Packing, Pallet, Shipping, UPS, USPS Priority Mail
June 21st, 2017 by Chris Race
Building a picture crate
Last week’s shipping challenges included artwork that required a wooden crate. We often build them for bronze artwork; sometimes for medical equipment. This crate was for a large, framed historic piece of art from a local gallery.
Picture Crate – Building the Frame
Picture Crate – Cutting the Sides
Picture Crate – Assembling the Pieces
Posted in Artwork Shipping, Crating, Gallery Shipping, LTL Truck Freight
April 28th, 2017 by Chris Race
Crating process for bronze artwork shipping
Pak Mail ships bronze artwork for local galleries. This Jane A. Rankin bronze required a wood crate on a pallet. Wood braces are covered with a soft material, strategically placed against the bronze, and screwed to the crate. When the crating process is complete, the bronze is secure and ready for freight shipping.
Pak Mail ships artwork — all shapes, sizes, and art media.
Starting the crating process for bronze by Jane A. Rankin.
Bracing inside crate for Jane A. Rankin bronze.
Completed crate for Jane A. Rankin bronze ready for carrier pickup.
Posted in Artwork Shipping, Crating, Freight, LTL Truck Freight, Packaging, Shipping
March 5th, 2017 by Chris Race
Ship happens!
Bad news: The flu hit Pak Mail Colorado last week, adding a bit of craziness to what turned out to be a very busy six days.
Good news: We took turns catching it, including the grandkids. That helped.
Good news: Daily operations — small package shipping (UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS), mail sorting, packing and shipping quotes — all went smoothly, even through solo shifts. Our customers are awesome and very understanding… THANK YOU!
Prepping Headboard for Custom Boxed Freight Shipment
Good news: Some of the freight shipments left the store during the week. Saturday we all tackled the remaining freight shipments and one painting for FedEx Ground (small package). Happy to say they’re all packed and ready for shipment on Monday! Two of the freight shipments are shown here; more pics to follow.
1964 Yamaha Crated Ready for Freight Pickup
1964 Yamaha Stabilized in Custom Crate for Freight Shipping
Posted in Crating, Freight, Local Business, LTL Truck Freight, Packing, Shipping
March 8th, 2016 by Chris Race
Jim with Yoda
A breakfast networking meeting with folks from the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce was the beginning of a delightful day. Upon my return home, my husband Jim invited me to stay home for the day. Perfect!
First on the agenda was clearing my mind. A brisk two-mile walk and then fiber spinning did the trick. Spinning tends to empty my mind of clutter and focus it on a specific task. Today the rhythm of the wheel and the creation of yarn from fluff – llama, wool, and mohair – pushed me to look around at the collections acquired throughout a 40-plus-year-and-counting marriage. Then I started thinking about some of the treasures we ship for our customers – assortments of sentimental photos, stamps, coins, antique dolls, porcelain figurines, and a high-value Star Wars® prop.
This reverie brought to mind packing and shipping collectibles in our Pak Mail store. Books, photos, letters, and other non-fragile items may only need protection with acid-proof paper or simple poly bags. Kachina dolls are packed with lots of packing peanuts and then double boxed. Lladro® or Hummel® figurines and pottery are wrapped in bubble wrap, floated in peanuts, and boxed or double boxed, depending on the value and/or sentimentality. Intricate and very fragile porcelain pieces are floated in mini-peanuts surrounded with bubble wrap and then floated in standard packing peanuts and double boxed. High-value collectibles like Yoda are secured in custom crates.
The shipping method is based on package size and weight, fragility of the item, total number of boxes, value, and destination. Smaller items ship with UPS, FedEx, US Priority Mail, or DHL (international only).
Simpich Doll Collection
Larger items or larger quantities of boxes ship with various freight carriers. The small move of household goods that included Yoda was shipped to Hawaii via ocean freight.
It was nice to have a day to reflect and create, and see how it all ties together. See you in the store.
Posted in Air Freight, Crating, Creativity, DHL, FedEx, Freight, International Shipping, Local Business, LTL Truck Freight, Ocean Freight, Packing, Shipping, Small Move, UPS, USPS Priority Mail
March 17th, 2015 by Chris Race
Small Move Boxes on Pallets
Small Move Estate Distribution
Packing for small move shipping requires a little more preparation than packing for UPS, FedEx, and DHL small package shipping. First, the items are inventoried and separated into categories – furniture, linens, clothing, jewelry, china, glassware, tools, non-fragile, fragile, size, value (especially higher value items). Then the appropriate packing methods are chosen based on how the small move is being shipped.
- Blanket wrap shipping requires the least amount of packaging. Furniture is wrapped in protective moving blankets and all fragile, high-value, and delicate items are packed according to carrier and insurance standards. High-value and extremely delicate pieces – artwork or grandfather clocks, for example – are often crated.
- Air freight, LTL truck, and ocean freight shipping require that all items be packed in boxes based on fragility and value. The boxes are then arranged on a pallet(s), shrink wrapped, and tied to the pallet(s) with metal banding. High-value and extremely delicate pieces are packed in Styrofoam-lined wooden crates.
- International shipments that are not crated are containerized with a corrugated tray on a pallet and a corrugated wrap and lid. The container is then banded to the pallet.
- All wood used in pallets and crates for international shipping must be heat treated and stamped with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM 15) mark, also known as the “bug stamp” or “wheat stamp.”
- Insurance coverage is only provided for appropriately packaged shipments. Customer-packed boxes are not covered unless inspection prior to shipping indicates proper packaging.
Pak Mail makes custom boxes, pallets, containers, and crates for any size or shape small move shipment.
Posted in Air Freight, Blanket Wrap, Crating, Freight, International Shipping, LTL Truck Freight, Moving, Ocean Freight, Packaging, Packing, Shipping, Small Move
July 21st, 2013 by Chris Race
Customers walk through our front door and say, “I need a box.” Our first response is, “Are you moving or shipping?” What’s the difference? Standard moving boxes from big-box stores, moving and storage rental businesses, or packing and shipping stores are not as sturdy as shipping boxes. Some have pre-cut side handles, which work well for moving. A box shipped with UPS, FedEx, or DHL does not necessarily remain upright in its journey, so small items might escape through the holes. Moving boxes are great for packing and moving everyday items, but even packing a heavier item for moving requires a sturdier box, or possibly a crate.
How do you know the strength of a box simply by looking at it? The bottom flap will most likely contain one of two stamps indicating the strength test certification for that box. For single-wall corrugated boxes, the stamp indicates Edge Crush Test (ECT 32) or Bursting Test 200#. Lee Fredrickson, owner of the Cedar Rapids Pak Mail, co-authored a franchisee newsletter article a number of years ago about box quality. The difference between the two tests (ECT and Bursting Test) is the orientation of the testing equipment – up and down on a vertically oriented sample of the corrugated (edge crush) or from the sides (burst). The strength of an ECT 32-stamped box can vary depending on the weight of the facing paper, which is not part of the ECT process and subsequently not controlled. A 200-pound Bursting Test carton will have minimum rated facing weights totaling 100 pounds (half the Bursting Test), using at least 50-pound paper on each facing.
Some moving and storage businesses claim their boxes are approved for shipping with UPS and FedEx. That’s true, but the statement is typically based on the ECT 32 rating and the box would only be suitable for soft light-weight, non-fragile items. Even when using the small moving box for moving books, the pre-cut handles should be reinforced with tape.
Are you moving or shipping? Choosing the right box can make all the difference in getting your treasures to their new home safely.
Bursting Test 200# stamp
Bursting Test 200# stamp
Edge Crust Test 32 stamp
Posted in Crating, Moving, Packaging, Packing, Shipping, Uncategorized