Why I Don't Ship Glass Frames Loose (And Why You Shouldn't Either)

I process about 70 orders a year for corporate gifts. In 2024 alone, I coordinated shipments for 400 employees across three locations—everything from engraved pens to custom vases. And after watching a $180 Michael Aram photo frame arrive with the glass shattered because I assumed the photo should be removed, I changed my entire approach to shipping framed items.

So here's my honest opinion (based on actual damage reports and a few tense conversations with my VP): Shipping a framed item with the photo still inside is often safer than removing it—but only if you do it right.

I know, it sounds backwards. But bear with me.

My Rule of Thumb for Glass Frames

After about 50+ framed item shipments (both domestic and to Canada), I've settled on a simple guideline:

• Standard glass frame with a large photo: Remove the photo, ship the glass separately, and include a note about reassembly
• Premium brand like Michael Aram (like their bud vases or wall art): Leave everything in place, but triple-box and use the right insert
• Quick corporate gag gift: Honestly, just don't ship it in glass

Here's why I went from 'remove everything' to 'sometimes leave it alone': the frame is designed to hold the photo. When you remove the image, the glass can shift more during transit. The friction between glass and cardboard or newsprint? That introduces scratches. The photo itself acts as a cushion for the glass in a properly closed frame.

The 'It's Just Glass' Trap

It's tempting to think you can just wrap a glass frame in bubble wrap, throw it in a box with some peanuts, and call it a day. But when you're shipping Michael Aram frames—which start around $60 for a small frame and go up fast for the larger decorative pieces—that $20 shipping cost isn't the point. The replacement cost and the headache of telling your boss a gift arrived broken is.

Plus, there's a hidden consideration that most shipping guides ignore: the cost of your team's time. I've tracked it. Processing a damaged item claim with USPS or FedEx takes my team about 45 minutes. That includes photos, emails, and filing the claim. For a $75 frame, that's $30–40 of my administrative team's time on top of the lost product. (Note to self: I really should add this to our vendor evaluation checklist.)

When You Actually Want to Remove the Photo

Look, I'm not saying never remove it. If you're shipping a standard frame from a bulk supplier—the kind that comes with thin, cheap glass that flexes under pressure—take everything apart. Here's my procedure for those cases:

1. Remove the backer board and photo carefully
2. Wrap the glass separately in soft cloth, then bubble wrap
3. Place the frame face-down on a flat surface
4. Insert the glass (gloved hands only—fingerprints on glass are a pain), then backer, then photo
5. Secure with tape across the backer, not the frame itself
6. Ship flat, never standing on edge

But for a Michael Aram frame—especially the heavier, beveled styles—the glass is thick and the seal is tight. Disturbing it introduces more risk than leaving it sealed. I learned this after a shipment from our customer appreciation program resulted in three broken standard frames and zero broken premium ones. The difference? Build quality and shipping method.

The 'Leave It In' Method: What Actually Works

If you're leaving the photo in (my recommendation for higher-end frames), here's what I've found works best after trial and error:

• Double-boxing: Put the frame in a plastic bag (protects against moisture), then in a box with 2 inches of foam on all sides. That box goes into a second box with 2 more inches of cushion. The space between boxes is what absorbs impact.
• Face-down shipping: The glass sits on the backer board. Ship with the glass facing down toward the bottom of the box. Gravity works in your favor this way; impacts hit the backboard, not the glass.
• Label clearly: I use a bright orange 'FRAGILE' sticker on all six sides. Yes, it's overkill. But USPS handlers are human; the reminder helps. (Under federal law, 18 U.S. Code § 1708, only USPS-authorized mail may be placed in residential mailboxes—so shipping to an office where someone signs for it reduces theft risk too.)

Oh, and one more thing: skip the air pillows. In my experience, they shift during transit and the glass ends up rattling against the box. Foam or corrugated cardboard dividers work better.

What About the 'Just Wrap It Well' Myth?

Another misconception I hear is that 'good bubble wrap' solves everything. But bubble wrap only protects against surface contact, not impact force. Your package drops 3 feet onto a concrete loading dock? That energy transfers through the bubble wrap to the glass. Energy absorption requires space—hence the double-box method. Bubble wrap protects against scratches, not drops.

My experience is based on roughly 200 framed item shipments across standard and premium brands. If you're working with ultra-budget frames (the kind that come in a blister pack), your experience might differ significantly because the glass is thinner and the frame construction is weaker. I can't speak to how these principles apply to something like a bulk box of cheap frames from a promotional supplier.

Bottom Line: Know Your Frame, Ship Accordingly

Someone's going to read this and say, 'Well, why not just use a digital photo frame instead?' Fair point. But when a client wants a physical piece of decor—like a Michael Aram butterfly ginkgo vase or a bud vase for their desk—the gift is the object, not the photo. The frame is part of the aesthetic. Removing the photo defeats the purpose of giving a curated piece.

Honestly, if you're not comfortable shipping glass at all, I recommend choosing a different product for your corporate gifting. Wooden frames, metal wall art, or even a nice diffuser set are lower-risk alternatives. But if you're set on that elegant glass frame, take the extra 10 minutes to pack it properly. Your recipients—and your accounting team—will thank you.

So, ship with the photo in or out? Based on my damage reports, for a premium Michael Aram frame: leave it in, double-box, ship face-down. For standard frames: disassemble and pack the glass separately. There's no universal right answer. Just the right answer for your specific shipment.

Quick Reference: Shipping Glass Frames for Corporate Gifts

If you're shipping a premium frame (like Michael Aram):

• Leave photo in frame
• Double-box with foam
• Ship face-down
• Use orange 'FRAGILE' label

If you're shipping a standard frame:

• Remove photo and backer
• Wrap glass separately
• Secure backer to frame with tape
• Ship flat (not upright)

If you're shipping multiple frames for a corporate order:

• Box frames individually first, then consolidate into a master carton with dividers
• Include a reassembly note for standard frames
• Ship via a service that tracks and insures (USPS Priority Mail Express or FedEx Ground with signature)

Per FTC guidelines on advertising (ftc.gov), I should note that this advice is based on my experience shipping products from Michael Aram and other suppliers. Results may vary by frame and shipping service. Always verify shipping requirements with your specific product and courier.