Mir Emad Hassani prints ship flat in rigid packaging

Auvrique sends reproduction prints flat rather than rolled, so the surface stays uncreased on arrival. The real question is not the method but how the package survives the journey and what to check before you sign.

Auvrique Editorial · Fine Art Editions

The short answer

Auvrique ships reproduction prints flat, not rolled. Each print is placed between rigid boards and sealed in a box designed to resist bending. If a print arrives creased or damaged, photograph it before unpacking the rest and contact support within a short window. This shipping method for art prints keeps the surface flat, though no transit method removes every risk.

How the print leaves the studio

Auvrique packs reproduction prints between two flat boards before sealing the outer box. The boards stop the sheet from flexing inside the carton. A rolled tube would be cheaper to ship, but it introduces a crease risk that the studio avoids by sending the sheet flat. The package is built to survive normal handling, not rough treatment. If a box is dropped or crushed, the boards still protect the print better than a tube would. The method is straightforward and it is the same approach used for other reproduction work on the site.

The flat pack costs more to ship than a rolled print, which is why some retailers default to tubes. Auvrique accepts that cost because the surface stays level from studio to door. You do not need to unroll anything or press the sheet flat yourself. The print arrives ready to handle, though you should still open the box on a clean surface. If you want to compare how a framed poster and a canvas edition arrive, the choice between those formats is covered separately.

What the package protects against

Flat packaging addresses the most common complaint with art prints: creases that appear after a tube is opened. A rigid board on each side keeps the sheet from folding, and the outer box resists impacts that would otherwise dent the surface. The protection is not absolute. A severe crush can still mark the print, and moisture in transit can affect paper even inside a sealed carton. The goal is to reduce the odds of damage, not to guarantee a perfect arrival every time.

When the box reaches you, open it carefully and check the print before removing it from the boards. Look for tears, dents, and any moisture mark on the surface. If the print looks damaged, keep the packaging intact and photograph the damage before you contact support. Auvrique's shipping policy sets out how damaged items are handled, and the refund policy covers the window for reporting a problem. Acting quickly matters more than arguing about the cause.

What flat packing does

Keeps the print surface flat from studio to door
Reduces the chance of creases that a tube can cause
Resists ordinary handling and light impacts in transit
Does not remove every risk from crushing or moisture

What to do on arrival

Open the box on a table or floor with enough room to lay the boards flat. Slide the print out gently rather than pulling it at an angle. Check the corners first, since those take the most stress in transit. If the print is undamaged, remove it from the boards and let it rest flat for a short time before you frame or hang it. Paper can hold a slight memory of the boards, and a brief rest helps it settle.

If anything looks wrong, stop and document it. Photograph the print, the boards, and the outer box before you throw anything away. A damaged print is easier to resolve when the packaging and the damage are both visible in the same set of images. The studio can then decide whether the issue happened in transit or before dispatch. That distinction matters for how the claim is handled, and it is easier to make when the evidence is still in front of you.

A flat pack costs more to ship than a tube, and the studio accepts that cost because the surface stays level from dispatch to door.

Concern	Flat pack response	Remaining risk
Creases from rolling	Print stays between rigid boards	None from rolling itself
Bending in transit	Outer box resists flexing	Severe crush can still mark the sheet
Moisture damage	Sealed carton limits exposure	Humidity in transit can still affect paper
Damage on arrival	Photograph before removing print	Claim window still applies

Key takeaways

Auvrique ships reproduction prints flat, not rolled, between rigid boards inside a sealed box.
Flat packaging removes the crease risk that a tube introduces, but it does not remove every transit risk.
Open the box on a clean surface and check the print before removing it from the boards.
Photograph any damage and keep the packaging before contacting support within the reporting window.

Related questions

Why does Auvrique send prints flat instead of rolled?

A flat pack keeps the surface level from studio to door and avoids the crease risk that a tube can leave behind. The trade-off is a higher shipping cost, which the studio accepts because the print arrives ready to handle. You do not need to unroll or press the sheet flat yourself.

Can a flat-packed print still arrive damaged?

Yes. A rigid board and sealed box reduce the odds of damage, but they do not remove every risk. A severe crush can still mark the surface, and moisture in transit can affect paper even inside a carton. Checking the print before you remove it from the boards gives you the best chance to document any problem early.

What should I do if the print looks creased or torn?

Keep the packaging intact and photograph the print, the boards, and the outer box before you contact support. Do not try to smooth or repair the surface yourself, since that can make the damage harder to assess. Reporting the issue quickly, with clear images, is the most useful thing you can do.

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