Buying a Custom Sized Cardboard Tube to Roll a Canvas Painting in Art Museum

Hi Museum Trade Trbe,

We were recently faced with the prospect of having to roll up a giant painting nine feet by 32 feet. I’m not looking forward to it, but hey, it has to be done. I’ve bought 12 packs of 8′ tubes before, but nothing this big. I thought I’d share a couple of vendors here for everyone. Please feel free to add to this list, let’s grow this over time so we don’t have to reinvent the handler, preparator, or technician wheel. Each company name is linkable to thier site FYI.

Chicago Mailing Tube Company

Chicago

This is where my journey started. They were great on the phone, but they had to be honest (and something I had already suspected) the shipping was going to be painful. But at least I got the ball rolling and I had a starting price. A worst-case scenario. A (an expensive) get-out-of-jail-free card. Very rough number it was going to be around $2,500 with shipping. VERY rough numbers. They referred me to the Pacific Paper Company as an alternative.

The Pacific Paper Company

Northern California

Again, super great over the phone. I followed up with specs in an email and should hear soon. They are only 45 minutes away so we could technically do the pick-up ourselves with a rented box truck. Their site leaves a little something to be desired.

Spiral Paper Tube & Core

Southern California

Nice website, but I haven’t reached out to them yet. They are further away from us. I’m figuring our tube will cost about the same in most places and delivery will make the difference on this. But if Pacific Paper is wildly more expensive when compared to Chicago Mailing Tube, then I’ll get on the phone and get a price.

I’m not really looking forward to this maneuver, but it has to be done. I’ll update you when we complete the mission, wish us luck.