How to Pack Your Artkive Box: Tips for a Smooth Journey

You've got the Artkive Box! You're ready to turn the pile of kids' arts and crafts into a cherished memory book. But, perhaps you need a bit of direction to make the most of your Artkive experience. This guide is here to help!

We recently started hosting live Packing Parties to walk families through the process and help them get their boxes out the door. Every time, the same questions came up. So we took the best answers and put them all in one place — a simple checklist from start-to-finish. Now, you can pack with confidence and get those memories on their way.

Queue up the Artkive Packing Playlist on Spotify and let's get started!

Still need to order your box?

Get Your Artkive Box HERE

1. Sort Before Packing Your Artkive Box

We photograph everything you send us and include it all in your final order. So, a few minutes of sorting through your children's art projects now saves you surprises later. While you can reorganize during the proof stage, it's much easier to edit upfront.

• Create a "keep" pile and a "set-aside" pile before anything goes in the Artkive Box

• Skip mostly-blank pieces (e.g., lightly scribbled coloring pages)

• We advise using homework/worksheets like a highlight reel to show progression; include the key moments and leave out excess fluff.

2. Label by Child and Grade

If you're sending art from more than one child, or want your book organized by grade, a little labeling goes a long way. Yes, this step is optional. You can choose to send everything loose and sort during the proof, but most parents find labeling helpful.

Write the child's name and grade on a sheet of paper, wrap it around the stack, and binder clip it

• Sticky notes alone can slide off in transit, so the extra paper wrap makes a difference

• No binder clips? Labeled bags work just as well — grocery bags, zip-locks, whatever you have

• Order within each stack doesn't need to be perfect; we'll arrange in order by grade

For a dedicated step-by-step guide to packing for multiple kids — check it out here.

3. How To Handle Special Pieces With Extra Care

Not all kids' arts and crafts projects are flat — and that's part of what makes them so great. Here's how to send the special stuff safely.

Fragile 3D pieces (clay, sculptures, etc.):

• Bubble wrap is your best friend here — it holds up much better than paper wrapping

• We photograph 3D pieces at a dedicated station so they look dimensional in the final book

Oversized pieces:

• Lightly fold large pieces to fit — a soft crease is fine

• Do NOT roll artwork; it makes it much harder to lay flat for photography

• If a piece is too large even for a bigger box, reach out to us before you ship, and we'll walk you through options

Framed pieces:

• Remove any glass before packing framed pieces. The frame itself is fine to include as part of the piece, but glass is a transit risk and a safety hazard

Glitter art:

• Seal glittery pieces in their own bag before placing them in the box (our photographers will thank you)

For a deeper dive on fragile and oversized art, see our full guide here.

4. Know the Rules for Double-Sided Work and Booklets

This is one of the most common questions we get at Packing Parties, so it's worth a quick explanation.

• Double-sided work counts as two pieces since each side requires a separate photo. If you only want one side captured, add a sticky note on the side to skip and write "don't photograph this side."

• Cards get photographed front and inside, and they'll appear side by side in your book so the spread reads naturally

• For notebooks or booklets, we'll photograph every page with artwork unless you flag specific pages. If you only want certain pages, use sticky notes that say "photograph this page only".

• Pre-collaged pieces are welcome (multiple artworks taped or glued to a single sheet). Just make sure everything is well-secured before you ship — however it looks when it arrives is how we'll photograph it

Have you ordered your Artkive box?

Get Your Artkive Box HERE

5. Fill Out Your Order Form

The order form is what tells us exactly what you want for your artwork book - don't skip this step.

• Select your keepsake type (art book or mosaic) and fill in the book title(s) on the back

• If you're ordering more than two books, download and print additional order forms from our FAQ page. Or, just write the details on a blank sheet and clip it together with the main form

• Use the pricing slider linked on the order form to get a cost estimate before you seal the box

6. Attach Your Label and Seal It Up

Almost there. The last few steps are quick.

• Place the prepaid return shipping label directly over the original label on the box

• Run tape along the sides of the box — three strips is all it takes — just for added security during transit

• Lost your label? Email us, and we'll send a replacement, or use this Request Form

Now Send Us Your Box - Your Art Book Awaits!

Seal the box, drop it at any UPS location, and you'll get an email as soon as it arrives at our facility. Turnaround time varies by season. During our busy season (end-of-school-year and winter holidays), expect a window of 6–8 weeks. Non-peak times move much faster.

Either way, a beautiful memory book of your kids' artwork is ready to make its way to you.

If you'd like to experience a live walkthrough, our Packing Parties are a free and friendly way to leave with all your questions answered. Reserve your spot here.