How a Brassai Print Reaches Your Door

Framed pieces and canvases travel differently, and the difference matters for damage risk. Here is how each format is packed, why rolling is standard for canvas, and what to check on arrival.

Auvrique Editorial · Fine Art Editions

The short answer

Framed prints ship flat, packed face-protected inside rigid cardboard with corner guards. Canvas prints ship rolled in a sturdy tube, typically 4 to 6 inches in diameter, so the print surface never bears the weight of stacked parcels. Rolled canvas flattens fully within about 24 hours of unboxing.

Two formats, two packing methods

The short answer is that it depends on the format. A framed Brassai print cannot be rolled, so it travels flat. The print is sandwiched between protective sheets, the glass or acrylic face is guarded, and the whole parcel is boxed in rigid board with reinforced corners. Flat shipping is the only safe option once a frame is involved, because any bend in transit transfers straight to the glazing.

Canvas works the other way. A canvas print ships rolled around a core inside a tube, which sounds alarming and is in fact the gentler method. The curve spreads stress across the whole surface instead of concentrating it at pressure points. Anyone weighing up the two formats before ordering can compare them in detail when choosing between a canvas print and a framed poster for Brassai's work.

Why canvas is rolled rather than boxed

The instinctive worry is that rolling creases the image. It does not, provided the roll diameter is generous. Canvas is a flexible woven material, and a print rolled at the standard 4 to 6 inch tube diameter will unroll flat with no memory of the curve. The real risks in transit are crushing and moisture, and a sealed tube resists both better than a large flat box, which is easier to dent, drop, or stack weight onto.

There is also a cost argument, and it is honest to name it. A tube is lighter and smaller than a flat crate, so shipping runs cheaper and the parcel is handled less. For a stretched, ready-to-hang canvas the piece travels in a fitted box with edge protection instead, since stretching removes the option of rolling. Readers ready to order can buy the canvas edition of Landscape in Snow and see the format specified at checkout.

What protects the print

A rigid tube or flat crate rated for parcel stacking, not a soft mailer
Acid-free interleaving between the print surface and any wrapping
Corner guards on every framed parcel, taped not glued to the frame
A sealed outer layer that keeps rain and condensation off the print

What to do when it arrives

Open a tube end, never squeeze the print out through it. Let the canvas relax at room temperature for a day before framing or stretching, and keep it away from a radiator or direct sun while it settles. A print that has travelled in cold weather may feel stiff at first, and warmth restores its natural give within hours.

Inspect before you sign for anything visibly crushed. A dented tube does not always mean a damaged print, but it is the moment to photograph the parcel and raise it. Framed pieces should be checked for glazing cracks and corner chips the same day. If a piece arrives flawed, the refund policy covers the resolution rather than a repair argument. For a sense of what the finished piece looks like on a wall, buy the canvas edition of Brzeg morski and unroll it flat within a day.

A tube looks like the risky option and is usually the safe one. Packaging that looks fragile often is.

Format	Ships as	Main transit risk
Framed print	Flat in rigid board box	Glazing cracks, corner chips
Unstretched canvas	Rolled in sealed tube	Crushing if tube is dented
Stretched canvas	Boxed with edge protection	Surface pressure, frame stress

Shipping format by print type

Key takeaways

Framed Brassai prints ship flat because a frame cannot bend.
Canvas prints ship rolled in a tube and flatten within about a day.
A sealed tube protects better against crushing and moisture than a flat box.
Inspect and photograph any dented parcel before signing for it.

Related questions

Will a rolled canvas print have creases when it unrolls?

No, not if the roll diameter is adequate. Canvas is a woven, flexible material and a print rolled at 4 to 6 inches unrolls flat with no lasting curve. Give it a day at room temperature and any slight memory of the tube disappears before framing or stretching.

Is flat shipping safer than tube shipping?

For framed work, yes, because glazing cannot flex. For unmounted canvas, a tube is usually safer. Flat boxes present large surfaces that can be dented or stacked onto, while a round tube deflects impact and resists crushing along its length. The format dictates the method, not the other way round.

What should I check before signing for a framed print?

Look at the corners of the parcel first, since damage shows there. Shake the box gently for the sound of broken glass, then open and inspect the glazing and frame edges the same day. Photograph any visible carton damage before signing, because carriers treat a clean signature as evidence of safe delivery.

How long does a rolled canvas take to flatten?

Roughly 24 hours at normal room temperature. Lay it image-side up on a clean, dry surface and let it relax on its own. Do not weigh it down with heavy objects or apply heat, since gentle time does the job without stressing the print surface or the coating.

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