Preparing Your Rug for Shipment.

There are many different reasons to transport your rug. Whether it is for service, sale, or just moving, there are proper methods to protect your property as it travels and there are poor methods which can quickly lead to disaster.

It is never recommended to fold rugs (with the exception of durie, flatweaves or kilims). Folding a rug can leave creases, buckles, and even break the foundation, seaming threads or the backing of the rug. Folding causes too much tension and pull on the materials that comprise the weave. Very finely woven rugs (such as a Sarouke or most wilton rugs) are far too dense and will suffer extreme and expensive damage if folded or improperly handled. Much of the damaged caused by folding a rug is difficult and costly to repair. Almost all rugs and carpets are best transported after being properly rolled.

What materials do I need to ship my rug?

• The rug or carpet to be packed.
• Several feet of twine or a heavy string.
• Water-proof and tear-proof plastic shipping paper.
• A roll of strong, good quality packing or storage tape.
• A schedule 40 pvc pipe 1 and 1/2 inches to 2 inches in diameter and measuring the width of the rug or carpet. Note: the pvc pile option is recommended for rugs over 3 foot width and any antique/fragile, old or seamed (wilton, axminister) rugs and carpets.
• Cardboard box (if shipper requires it) or wooden crate. The box or crate usually should exceed every dimension by atleast four inches.
• If shipping your rug to Shaneybrook's, please make arrangements in advance and obtain a consignment evaluation number (CEN) or work order invoice number. Either of these MUST be clearly visible on the outside of the package.

The packing materials detailed above should not exceed a total bill of $15.00 Your choice of a shipper or freight transport service may have specific requirements; please verify packaging rules of your chosen carrier. Our guidelines are based on shipments we send daily through FedEx and UPS. When using a freight company (for very large or very heavy shipments), we almost always use the crate option to prevent damage in transit.

Important note regarding package dimensions: most shippers/carriers have limitations on the package sizes they will carry. Please verify package size limitations before shipping. As an example, packaged sent through normal FedEx and UPS services cannot exceed 108 inches. Most 9x12 rugs, if rolled properly and evenly can barely pass within the 108 inch length limitation. If a rug is inproperly packaged or rolled incorrectly (leaving a cone on one side), the package will likely cost several hundred percent more to ship.

If you cannot acquire packing/shipping materials locally, Shaneybrook.com can supply what you need.

To order a Shaneybrook.com packing material care package, please use our contact form.

How do I pack my rug for shipment?

1. Begin by feeling the nap of the rug. As long as the rug is not a flatweave, there should be a direction in which the pile lays down smoothly and another direction which, when pushed, the pile pushes up and "against" the nap. Roll the rug against the nap. This will keep the rug tight as it rolls. If rolled with the nap, the rug will easily unroll and loosen itself in shipment.
2. The pvc pipe is shown here, at the end of the rug from which the rug is to be rolled. It is recommended to cut the pvc pipe one inch shorter than the width of the rug. This will allow the rug to overhand the pipe 1/2 inch on each side when rolled. The pvc pipe adds strength to the roll of the rug during shipment. It will keep seams, foundation structure, and the rug itself from breaking or being damaged in shipment
3. Being rolling the rug against the nap. If the rug has fringe, try not to tuck it in. It will roll up on its own.
4. Once you have completed rolling the rug begin tying the rug. Please read next step before continuing.
5. While tying the rug, much in the way one ties a pair of shoe laces, slide the twine the under itself before making the bow. Slide the twine under itself a second time. This will make the tie stronger and more secure.
6. Complete the bow and tie the rug at regular increments. A 9x12 rug often requires 5 equally spaced ties of twice across the width.
7. The picture shows the tied twine in incremental widths across the rug.
8. Place the rug ontop of wrapping paper. It is recommended to have 1.5 to 2 feet of wrap excess on the side (width) of the rug.
9. Begin rolling the rug in the paper.
10. Continued rolling...
11. Approximately 1/2 way along the rolling process, grab the side of the paper and fold it approximately 35 degrees as shown in the photograph.
12. After folding as described in step 11, fold the now folded side towards the middle of the rug.
13. This shows the fold as described and continued from step 12.
14. Pictured as shown, the sides rolled and folded evenly.
15. Pictured as shown, the sides rolled and folded evenly.
16. Continue rolling the rug as shown.
17. Tape the rug at several regular increments to secure the papre tightly around the rolled rug.
18. Same as step 17, shown taped at the end.
19. Run tape across the end of the wrapping paper as shown.
20. Wrap the rug several times around the roll of the rug as shown. It is recommended to wrap the roll three or four times at the ends.
21. Wrap the rug at regular increments. If for some reason, the wrapping paper is poked or cut in shipment, these regular increments of tape will prevent tearing from occurring further.
22. Secure a label and tape across the recipients name and address. If shipping to our workshop, please use the address below: Shaneybrook, Inc. Receiving 19403 Barrens Road South Stewartstown, PA 17363 USA Do not forget to obtain proper insurance coverage and correctly declare value on the airbills or bills of lading for any shipment.   BEFORE sending any shipment, please email or call to make arrangements. Shipping and receiving arrangements must be made in advance with a consignment evaluation number (CEN). The CEN must be clearly marked on the outside of the package. Shipments without a CEN will be refused.

Should you have questions or need any assistance, please contact us.