Artist Back Alley Resources Blog

You spent weeks on those prints. The last thing you want is to pull crumpled edges out of your suitcase at 7am on setup day. Good news: your panels and your prints can share the same bag without drama. You just need a system. Start With The Panels As Your Frame Your modular display kit panels are 35x35cm frosted polypropylene. They're rigid, lightweight, and FLAT. That makes them the perfect spine for your suitcase. Stack them vertically along one side of the bag. They create a wall that protects everything behind them. Think of the panel stack as a built-in divider. One side is hardware. The other side is product. Layer Prints Between Panels Here's the trick most vendors figure out after their third show: slide your prints between panels. The rigid surfaces sandwich your art and keep it from bending. No need for a separate print portfolio if your prints are A3 or smaller. Place prints face-to-face so ink sides never touch a connector or hook Use a single sheet of tissue paper between every 5-6 prints Keep the heaviest prints closest to the centre of the stack Connectors And Hooks Go In Pouches ABS connectors and PLA hooks are small but they scratch. Toss them loose and you'll find scuff marks on your panels. A mesh zip pouch solves this COMPLETELY. One pouch for connectors, one for hooks, done. The whole kit packs into a 56x36x23cm carry-on bag. That includes panels, connectors, hooks, and your prints layered in between. What About Larger Prints? If you sell A2 or bigger, those won't fit between 35cm panels. Use a separate poster tube for oversized work. But everything A3 and under? It rides with the booth. Check the full kit range to see which size fits your table setup and how many panels you're actually travelling with. Frequently Asked Questions Will the panels scratch my prints?No. The frosted PP surface is smooth and non-abrasive. Just avoid letting connector pegs sit directly on printed surfaces. Can I fit prints plus a Core kit in carry-on?Yes. The Core (24 panels) leaves plenty of room for a stack of A4 or A3 prints inside the same 56x36x23cm bag. Do I need bubble wrap?Not for the panels or the prints sandwiched between them. If you're packing mugs, pins, or other hard goods alongside, wrap those separately.