Decorative ceramic plates or platters are popular collectibles that are usually used as decorations for homes. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can be hand-painted or sculpted with intricate designs. These items can be hanged on the wall or placed on a stand as tabletop decor. Antique plates or pieces from rare dinnerware collections are most sought after items used as decorative plates.
Apart from ceramic, these decorative plates can also be made from various materials including glass and porcelain. Because of their fragile and highly breakable nature, these plates must be properly packed prior to shipping. Here are tips on how to appropriately pack and ship decorative plates to ensure that they arrive in excellent condition.
Wrap the plate or platter with tissue paper, then with at least 2 layers of bubble wrap. Use tape to keep the wrap in place. If shipping more than one plate, wrap each item individually before stacking them together and wrapped in shrink wrap. Only stack a maximum of 4 plates and make sure to pack together similarly shaped and sized items.
Place the plate or stack of plates in a box which can snugly accommodate the fragile items. Place pieces of foam boards, bubble wrap, or packing peanuts on empty spaces on the sides and corners of the box. The plate/plates should not move or shift in the box. Close the box and seal with packaging tape.
Get a larger shipping box that can accommodate the first box and allow at least a couple of inches of space on all sides, top and bottom, for more packing materials. Place the inner box inside the outer bow with a lining of packing materials on the bottom. Fill the spaces on the sides and top of the inner box with more fillers until there is no more space for movement. Close the outer box and secure it with packaging tape. Also, reinforce the bottom flaps to prevent the box from bursting open during transit.
Address and label the package and take to your local post office or shipping company.