Periodically (like right now) I have to move still-wet paintings, and there’s either no adequate solution or they’re unjustifiably expensive (minimum $80-100). I end up having to DIY.
Recipe for small sizes like 11×14″ (27×36 cm): buy a photo frame to fit the canvas. I got one at Target for $12. The glass from the frame becomes a palette. You can’t buy a glass palette for less than $30. And here, it’s included. Remove the glass — you’re left with the frame. The canvas fits inside it. Just need to attach plywood or thick cardboard on the front (resulting in a gap between the painting and the cardboard). On the back, you could even secure it with rubber bands from underwear. I made a convenient “door”. In the end, for $12 and half an hour of work, I have both a palette and a carrier.
Recipe for larger sizes, 16×20″ (40×50 cm) in my case. At the hardware store, buy four poplar boards 2×1/4″ at $1 each, a set of corners for $2, screws, and foam core board for another five. Lightweight and exactly the right size. Took about $10 and about an hour of work.
But if you buy a ready-made one on Amazon, firstly, you realize there’s almost no choice. Secondly, it’s not only expensive but also of poor quality. A case for a 11×14″ (27×36 cm) size costs $80-100. Any wooden ones cost over a hundred (Search for wet painting carrier or wet painting bag).
The cheapest option — Guerrilla Painter Handy Porter Painting Carrier for $22 made from, essentially, paper or something like thin cardboard. The next option, also made of cardboard but better quality, Raymar, costs $62 for a size of 11×14 and $77 for 16×20″ with shipping. In art stores (HobbyLobby, Michaels), there’s simply nothing available at any price for this purpose.
I wonder, am I really the only one who needs to transport unfinished canvases?
Sure, even $77 is a bit much if you’re buying for long-term use. But this post isn’t about me turning to crafting as a budget solution — it was for fun. It’s about having a need, and there’s practically no product on the market to meet it.
Hi, I'm Rauf Aliev. 