Cardboard Insert - Packaging

[RacingMoose]

I've done some searches on here and google; and have looked through numerous sites without coming up with something that seems so simple.

I'm looking for a place to buy the stiff cardboard inserts that are included with photos (such as with costco, etc.) in the packaging to provide support to the envelope. Hopefully, there's a place out there to buy them relatively cheap since we're talking about a piece of cardboard. I started printing some of my own 4 x 6 up to 8 x 10 prints and have the plastic bags but need the cardboard.

Any suggestions where to look?

Thanks in advance!

[tim]

I use rigid cardboard envelopes when I deliver prints. Maybe they'd be easier to find.

[MJPhotos24]

www.bagsunlimited.com - free shipping, amazing company so far in my dealings. When I mailed everything, hundreds of packages, I used the rigid white mailers plus the fillers. However now only mailing every so often use the manilla and stuffers as they are cheaper.

Direct link - the "fillers" on the bottom.
http://www.bagsunlimited.com/cart/browse.asp?subcat=503

[convergent]

Those inserts are called "chipboard" by the packaging resellers. If you google around on "chipboard" and insert, photo, packaging, etc... you'll find plenty of suppliers for them. They aren't that expensive but don't forget the shipping since the package will be quite heavy. I bought a case of these several years ago and have barely dented it.

[Patrick]

Uline has one of the largest selections of shipping materials. They are not specific to photography but rather a general shipping/packing product supplier.

[RacingMoose]

Those inserts are called "chipboard" by the packaging resellers. If you google around on "chipboard" and insert, photo, packaging, etc... you'll find plenty of suppliers for them. They aren't that expensive but don't forget the shipping since the package will be quite heavy. I bought a case of these several years ago and have barely dented it.

Thanks for the chipboard terminology. I did find some additional packaging resellers using that.

Uline has one of the largest selections of shipping materials. They are not specific to photography but rather a general shipping/packing product supplier.

Uline was one of the companies I found, but unfortunately their CSR told me that their chipboard inserts aren't acid-free and they don't recommend their use with photos.

www.bagsunlimited.com (http://www.bagsunlimited.com) - free shipping, amazing company so far in my dealings. When I mailed everything, hundreds of packages, I used the rigid white mailers plus the fillers. However now only mailing every so often use the manilla and stuffers as they are cheaper.

Direct link - the "fillers" on the bottom.
http://www.bagsunlimited.com/cart/browse.asp?subcat=503

Thanks for the links!

I use rigid cardboard envelopes when I deliver prints. Maybe they'd be easier to find.

Searching for rigid cardboard envelopes turned up more information, thanks!

[BusToBedlam]

He is correct. Chip board is not acid free or even a buffered material so is not safe for photography but if its just very short term packaging, it might not be a problem. It should just not be used as part of the matting and framing of the art. Here is a source for a bright white chip board (http://www.redimat.com/products/supplies_mounting_board/cb_board.html). Another option that might be in the price range would be blanks of cheep buffered mat board. This would be made from the same material for the windowed mat but just cut to the outside dimensions and no opening.

Thanks for the chipboard terminology. I did find some additional packaging resellers using that.



Uline was one of the companies I found, but unfortunately their CSR told me that their chipboard inserts aren't acid-free and they don't recommend their use with photos.



Thanks for the links!



Searching for rigid cardboard envelopes turned up more information, thanks!

[Mike R]

You can find acid free chipboad at www.clearbags.com

[BusToBedlam]

I could not find the term "chipboard" used on any of their products. The use of the term "acid free" is way overused in the framing industry to the point of not meaning very much. Buffered wood pulp matting and backing is not the same thing as a true acid free alpha cellulose purified wood pulp or cotton rag and "chipboard" is neither.

You can find acid free chipboad at www.clearbags.com (http://www.clearbags.com)

[Mike R]

I could not find the term "chipboard" used on any of their products. The use of the term "acid free" is way overused in the framing industry to the point of not meaning very much. Buffered wood pulp matting and backing is not the same thing as a true acid free alpha cellulose purified wood pulp or cotton rag and "chipboard" is neither.

Sorry, I was reading the other posts and just typed chipboard. I think this is wahat you're looking for.

http://www.clearbags.com/?overview|backing#BACD

[BusToBedlam]

Sorry, I was reading the other posts and just typed chipboard. I think this is wahat you're looking for.

http://www.clearbags.com/?overview|backing#BACD (http://www.clearbags.com/?overview%7Cbacking#BACD)


No problem. I just like people to know what they are getting no matter what the product is or if from Redimat.com (http://redimat.com) or from Clearbags.com (http://clearbags.com) or some of the other companies out there. Too many of them just talk to sell and not actually want to help us make informed decisions.

[Mike R]

No problem. I just like people to know what they are getting no matter what the product is or if from Redimat.com (http://redimat.com) or from Clearbags.com (http://clearbags.com) or some of the other companies out there. Too many of them just talk to sell and not actually want to help us make informed decisions.

It's sad that all too often, compaines get away with it. I try to stay with only a few vendors, even if others may be slightly cheaper.

[RacingMoose]

Thanks for that extra information about "chipboard". For me, someone who has never ordered this type of thing, it's confusing when many of these vendors use similar terminology but the products seem different.

[Sports_Dude]

Everytime I pick up pictures at Costco, I always ask for a couple of extra chipboards. Over time, it all adds up.

[RacingMoose]

Everytime I pick up pictures at Costco, I always ask for a couple of extra chipboards. Over time, it all adds up.


Great suggestion. Are they usually accomodating and give you a couple extra?

[Sports_Dude]

Great suggestion. Are they usually accomodating and give you a couple extra?

I usually don't ask for more than 5 extra. I go to the Costco photo lab so much that the people there seem to know me. The other thing you can do is if you are sending in a bunch of pictures (ex: 8x10s), you can send them separately so that they package them individually with separate envelopes and chipboards.

[Buskerdoo]

I was looking for acid fre chipboard and found this thread. I've decided in my search for anything acid free to try and get samples and then test becasue so many people on the phone don't know the answers. I use a basic pH test. I've tested chipboard from uline and tehy are acid free (or at least neutral).

[Pyromaniac]

http://www.artsupply.com/foamcore/acid_free.htm There you can get 32x40 inch sheets of 1/8 or 3/16 inch thick acid free foam core mounting boards in 25 packs. All you need to cut it is a straight edge and razor knife. I need to do 55 11x14, 27 16x20 and 19 18x24's and 25 sheets is enough to do it with a couple of extras.

[D.C.]

Clearbags gives me good service.