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Tape an X across the mirror face, cover it with cardboard, add corner protectors and two layers of bubble wrap, then pack it upright in a mirror box with padding so it cannot move at all. Do the no-movement test before sealing: a mirror that shifts in the box is a mirror that breaks.
A mirror box is a flat, adjustable carton made for glass and mirrors: it telescopes to fit the mirror height and keeps the piece upright. Start by cleaning the mirror face so grit trapped under tape cannot scratch the silvering. Tape an X across the face, then tape the edges, so a break stays held together instead of scattering. Cut a cardboard sheet to cover the full face and tape it on, which spreads any impact across the sheet instead of concentrating it on one point. Fit corner protectors, wrap the whole piece in two layers of bubble wrap, and slide it into the mirror box. Fill remaining gaps with crumpled paper until the mirror sits snug.
| Layer | Material | Job it does |
|---|---|---|
| Face tape | Packing tape in an X, plus edge tape | Holds shards together if the glass breaks |
| Face board | Cardboard sheet cut to the mirror size | Spreads impact across the face |
| Corners | Foam or cardboard protectors | Absorbs corner hits |
| Wrap | Two layers of bubble wrap | Cushions drops and vibration |
| Outer box | Mirror box, upright, gaps filled | Keeps the piece upright and still |
Close the box flaps without taping them, pick the box up, and tilt it gently in each direction. If you feel or hear the mirror shift, open the box and add more filling. A mirror that moves even a little will keep moving with every bump in transit, and repeated small impacts crack glass just as surely as one big drop. Repeat the test after taping as well: tape the seams, lift the box, and tilt again. Only a parcel that feels like a single solid block is ready to label. Marking the box "Fragile" helps handlers, but it is not a substitute for this test.
A framed mirror needs the same face protection, plus care for the frame: wrap the frame corners first, since a dented frame edge is the most visible damage on arrival. Round and oval mirrors need a box larger than the mirror in every direction, with paper filling shaped around the curves; a square box that touches the mirror at four points concentrates pressure on those points. Very large mirrors may need two mirror boxes telescoped together, or a wooden crate built around the wrapped mirror for a long journey. For an antique mirror with foxing or a fragile backing, keep the backing intact and avoid taping directly to any painted or gilded frame surface: tape to the cardboard face sheet instead.
Ask the recipient to inspect the box before signing for it when possible, and to photograph any visible box damage before opening. Opening the box on a flat surface, face up, keeps any broken glass contained if the worst happened. If the mirror arrives intact, the recipient should remove tape slowly from the face to avoid pulling at the silvering near the edges. Keep the packaging until the mirror is hung: if a hidden crack shows up later, the original box and padding are part of any claim.
Weigh and measure the packed box before buying a label: mirrors are bulky, and a large one can pass common parcel limits quickly. For shipments within Canada, a Canada Post Xpresspost label through LetterAgent covers parcels up to 5 kg at a flat rate: ask your AI assistant for a per-label quote, approve the exact price, pay once through Stripe, and print the label PDF provided. If a mirror plus its mirror box passes that weight, use a different service for that piece rather than forcing it into a parcel that strains the label terms. Attach the label flat on the largest face, away from seams.
Ready to ship it? Get a shipping label with LetterAgent: describe it to your AI assistant, approve the exact quoted price, and get your label.
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