http://www.cinemasterpieces.com/packaginghowto.htmwe buy a lot from other dealers and auction houses........and some of them STILL put posters loosely in the tube and let them expand.
and these are people who are not newbies and who have been in the hobby a long time.
total carelessness imo.
from our link above (sorry the pictures won't post here):
● DO NOT JUST PLACE THE POSTER LOOSELY IN THE TUBE. REPEAT! DO NOT JUST PLACE THE POSTER LOOSELY IN THE TUBE! This can not be stressed enough. Damage to the poster will definitely occur if you are careless and just put the poster in the tube loosely.
1. It makes it very hard to get it out.
2. The edges are unprotected as it slides up and down causing dings.
3. If the tube gets dented then it will cause dings all up and down the poster.
THE WRONG WAY THE RIGHT WAY
● Protect the ends/edges of the poster from getting damaged by using cushioning material like bubble wrap, a paper towel, tissue paper, plastic bags from the grocery store, etc.. This is an extremely important step that many people forget.
● Use plastic or cardboard end caps on the tube and tape them closed to the tube. Do not just place tape over the ends of the tube without using some form of end cap.