When you’re getting ready to ship something breakable, having a plan makes all the difference. Whether it’s a framed painting, a glass lamp, or an antique passed down in your family, it only takes one hard jolt for something valuable to break or crack. That’s where custom crating comes in. A strong, well-built crate holds your item steady and shields it from bumps along the way.
Cold weather adds another layer. In Colorado Springs during January and February, icy roads and freezing temps mean packages can sit in trucks or warehouses for longer and suffer extra wear. Standard boxes just don’t hold up the same way. That’s why we take extra steps this time of year. With the right prep, fragile items can ship safely without leaving you on edge.
Start with a Careful Look at the Item
Before we build anything, we start by looking at the object itself. Every item is different, and the way we pack it depends on a few things.
• What is the item made of? Glass, wood, porcelain, or metal all respond differently to motion and temperature.
• What’s the shape? Items with odd angles or delicate corners can be more likely to crack or snap without support in the right spots.
• How heavy is it? Heavier pieces need strong cushioning, while lighter ones might only need well-placed padding.
• Are there existing weak points? Hairline cracks, loose pieces, or aging finishes usually mean we’ll need to add more layers of protection.
We don’t guess our way through that part. If it’s delicate enough for a crate, it’s worth giving it a close check to make sure we match everything to what it needs. Taking a few extra minutes now saves trouble later.
Pick the Right Packing Materials
The way an item is packed inside the crate matters just as much as the wood outside of it. The materials between the item and the crate wall are what absorb shock, limit shaking, and cushion the impact if something shifts during shipping.
• Foam inserts are great because they can be cut to match a shape exactly. That keeps odd-shaped items from tipping or sliding.
• Bubble wrap works well for wrapping around fragile parts, think legs on a small table or corners of a picture frame.
• Soft padding or blankets add a final buffer and help prevent surface scratches while everything is in place.
• Moisture-resistant wraps and shrink film protect against temperature swings and humidity, especially if the item might sit in a vehicle overnight.
These materials aren’t complicated. They just have to be right for the job. If an item has multiple fragile spots, we use a mix of materials to keep each one protected.
Pak Mail offers custom crates built from new wood, designed to meet ISPM-15 export requirements for international shipping.
Fit the Crate to the Job
A crate isn’t something we guess the size on. Each crate is measured and built to fit the object it’s holding. That’s what turns it from just a wooden box into a real layer of protection. No corners sticking out, no leftover space where the item could slide, and just enough room for padding without letting it bounce around.
• We measure length, width, height, and weight to get the right size box with the strength to match.
• Odd shapes may need blocks or braces on the inside to stop them from tipping or turning during the trip.
• For shipments in winter, we think about the crate’s exposure too. Items may sit longer in trucks or containers. That’s when we add water barriers or sealants to keep out freezing air and moisture.
Custom crating is really just careful planning and making sure the box fits the object instead of the other way around.
Our team specializes in packing for high-value items, including artwork, computers, medical devices, and antiques.
Coordinate with Freight and Delivery Services
Once a crate is ready, there’s still one more step to think about: how it’s getting to where it needs to go. For larger or long-distance shipments, that usually means freight or an international shipper like DHL. Making sure the crate works with that system helps avoid surprises along the way.
• Crates need clear labeling, especially if the item is fragile or has a specific side that needs to stay upright.
• We double-check the requirements for the shipping method. Freight stacks differently than air cargo, and both have different weight limits.
• Tracking can help with peace of mind, so we make sure everything is labeled properly and entered into the system.
• Timing matters too, especially with unpredictable winter weather. If we can, we schedule earlier pickups or give a little extra buffer to the delivery window.
Pak Mail provides in-house pickup, packing, custom crating, and freight shipping for both domestic and international destinations.
It helps when packing, crating, and shipping happen from one place. That way, nothing gets lost in translation between steps and the same eyes stay on the shipment from start to finish.
Peace of Mind with a Proper Plan
Shipping fragile items comes with a few more steps, but each one makes a real difference. We’ve seen how custom crating reduces movement, softens bumps, and stands up better against cold or shifting weather. When the crate matches the shape, the padding fits right, and the delivery plan lines up, there’s not much left to worry over.
In places like Colorado Springs, even short shipments in winter can get slowed or shifted from snow or low temps. Having the right packing setup from the beginning helps smooth that out and puts control back in your hands. Whether something is heading across town or overseas, a good crate takes the guesswork out of the equation.
Planning to ship something fragile this winter? With Pak Mail, you get the right setup from the start. We’ve helped customers protect everything from art to antiques, providing solid support to handle bumps, jolts, and cold temperatures. For shipments in and out of Colorado Springs, our approach to custom crating takes the stress out of winter transport. Let us pack your item the right way so you don’t have to worry. Call us today to talk through your shipping needs.