The Artkive Packing Page: From Box to Memory Book (Free Guide)
- May 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 25
You ordered the box. It arrived. And now it's sitting somewhere, on a shelf, in a closet, maybe under a pile of the very art it was meant to hold.
"Several years and a house ago," one parent quipped at a recent Artkive Packing Party. Another told us she'd promised herself 2026 would finally be the year. One attendee had been holding onto her box since 2022 and admitted she was "so embarrassed" until she realized she was in a room full of people who completely understood.
If you're not familiar, Artkive turns your kids' artwork into a professionally designed memory book. The Artkive Box is how it starts: you fill it with art, send it to our studio, and we handle the rest. But for a lot of parents, the space between receiving the box and actually packing it is where things stall.
The overwhelm wasn't about the art; it was about not knowing what came next.
Why So Many Boxes Sit on the Shelf
The box isn't the problem. The kids artwork isn't the problem. The problem is the gap between "I have the box" and "I know exactly what I'm doing."
Most parents who receive their Artkive Box know they want a memory book for their children's drawings and keepsakes. What stops them is the uncertainty of where to start, especially when everything in the pile feels equally important to keep.
So we built something to close that gap.
Introducing the Artkive Packing Page
The Artkive Packing Page is a free, all-in-one guide designed to take you from "box on the shelf" to "box on its way to us." Here's what you'll find when you visit:
The Process, Broken Into Three Steps
The Artkive memory book process is simpler than most parents expect. Fill your box with artwork and any other keepsakes you want preserved. Complete your order form. Drop the box at UPS using the prepaid label inside.
That's it. The Packing Page walks through each step so nothing feels like a surprise, including what to do if you're packing for more than one child or have items that don't lie flat.
Four Packing Tips to Set You Up for Success
You don't need to be perfect before you send your box. We'll work with whatever you include. But a little prep makes a big difference in how your finished memory book feels to flip through.
Sort your "must-keeps" from the rest. Go through your collection and pull out the pieces that feel most meaningful. You don't have to include everything, and having a clear "no pile" makes the yes pile easier to build.
Separate kids' artwork by child and label each stack. If you're packing for more than one child, keep each child's pieces together and label the stacks clearly. Our team photographs everything in the order it arrives, so this one step shapes how the final book reads.
Organize by age or grade. If you want the memory book to tell a story of your child's creative growth, sort pieces from youngest to oldest or by school year. A collection that moves from preschool finger paintings to second-grade portraits has a natural arc that makes the book feel intentional. For tips on packing artwork for multiple kids, we have a full guide on that too.
Bundle each pile securely. A rubber band or loose tie around each grouping helps our team keep everything in order from the moment the box reaches our studio.
A Goal Date Tool to Keep You on Track
One of the most useful features of the Packing Page is the goal date tool. Pick a target send date, and the page creates a simple, personalized timeline with reminders to help you follow through. A little accountability goes a long way.
FAQ for Common Packing Questions
Can you send 3D artwork? School papers? Pottery? Baby items? What about two kids from one box? The Packing Page covers all of it, because if you're wondering, someone else definitely is too.
Want to Pack Alongside Other Parents? Join a Packing Party
If reading through tips isn't quite enough to get you moving, our live virtual Packing Parties might be exactly what you need.
These free sessions bring parents together in real time, with an Artkive team member walking everyone through the packing process live, answering questions as they come up, and giving a behind-the-scenes look at the Artkive studio.
"This is the motivation I needed," said one attendee. "I was making this process much more complicated in my mind." Another left the session and committed to getting her box in the mail before the week was out. Check the schedule and save your spot if one works for you.
Why the Packing Page Makes for a Better Memory Book
There's a real difference between tossing everything into a box and packing with intention.
Parents who've used the Packing Page tell us the structure helped them think about what they were sending and why. As Lisa Burnett put it after receiving her finished book: "The book is beautifully done and truly feels like a memory capsule of special school moments, art, and classwork. Seeing the work thoughtfully preserved and organized in one place is something really special."
That kind of result starts before the box ever leaves your house. Sort by child. Organize by age. Set aside the true keepsake pieces from the extras. That clarity is what turns a collection of kids' artwork into a memory book that tells a story rather than an archive that catalogs one.
If you want to know what parents say about the finished book, we've rounded up some of our favorite feedback there.
Ready to Get Your Artkive Box?
If you're just getting started, here's all you need. Order your Artkive Box today, bookmark the Packing Page for when it arrives, and take it one step at a time. The artwork is already there. The memories are already made. Your kids art keepsake is just a packed box away.
FAQs About the Artkive Packing Page
What is the Artkive Packing Page?
The Artkive Packing Page is a free, step-by-step online guide at links.artkiveapp.com that walks you through packing your Artkive Box — from sorting and labeling your kids' artwork to setting a goal send date and shipping. It's designed to take the guesswork out of getting started with Artkive.
Is the Artkive Packing Page free?
Yes, it's completely free and available to all Artkive Box customers. It includes packing tips, a goal date tool with reminders, and answers to the most common questions about the process. Click the link if you'd like to sign up for the next packing party.
Can I pack my Artkive Box without attending a Packing Party?
Absolutely. The Packing Page has everything you need to pack and ship your box on your own schedule. Packing Parties are a great option if you'd like a live walkthrough with real-time answers, but they're entirely optional.
What happens to my kids' artwork after I send it?
Once your box arrives at the Artkive studio, our team professionally photographs every piece using high-resolution photography. You'll review a digital proof of your memory book before anything goes to print, so you can adjust the order, add captions, or make any other changes you'd like. You can also see what the finished memory book looks like before you order.
