Plan Chests for Safe, Flat Storage of Drawings and Artwork

Which Plan Chest is best for me?

Plan chests (also known as flat file cabinets) are designed to store large-format documents, artwork, plans, and prints safely without folding or damage. You really want your Plan Chest to fit seemlessly into your studio or office environment and be literately part of the furniture. It's your personal preference if you think a metal or a wooden plan chest would look better. Choosing the number of drawers is also an important decision and you sometimes need more than you think. Many of our units can be added to so this is always an option to consider when purchasing.

At Graphics Direct, we supply two high-quality options:

• Milano Metal Plan Chests – durable, professional-grade steel units
• Orchard Wooden & Metal Plan Chests – premium wooden and steel units ideal for studios and education

What is a plan chest used for?

A plan chest is used to store:

• Architectural drawings
• Artwork and prints
• Maps, plans, Posters 
• Large-format documents and even 3D items.

They keep materials flat, protected, and organised, essential for anyone working with oversized media.

Size available in metal and wooden Plan Chest (A0, A1,)

• A0 plan chests - for large architectural drawings
• A1 plan chests - most common, versatile size

Our advice is always choose slightly larger than your typical work size.

Why use a plan chest instead of shelving or tubes?

Using a plan chest:

• Prevents creasing and damage
• Keeps documents organised and accessible
• Improves workflow efficiency
• Protects valuable work long-term

Why buy plan chests from Graphics Direct?

• Trusted supplier to creative industries and education for over 25 years
• Carefully selected, high-quality products
• Expert advice on choosing the right system
• UK-based, family-run business
• We will work with you regarding your delivery requirements to make sure all goes to plan.

Here at Graphics Direct, we can offer a solution to this problem with our practical range of plan chests. Our metal models, for example, are available with either 5 or 10 drawers, whereas the wooden models are designed with an option for 6, 9 or 12.

Each plan chest is built for longevity, helping to reduce clutter and protect your work from damage or dust. If you're storing CAD drawings, fine art prints or design portfolios, our plan chest range offers practical, space saving solution for any creative workspace.