Looking for some constructive ideas for shipping a bare set of small block heads. I have access to a banding machine so thinking of banding them together.

Bolt them down to a sheet of plywood then box them. They're like too heavy to ship any way but freight so you may as well find a small skid to strap the box to. HOWEVER, when I bought my heads from 440Source they came in individual boxes in a larger box - by FedEx.

This sounds like a good idea! Maybe even a smaller piece of plywood on top too.

A handle on that plywood could help, too.
I've bought aluminum heads that came in foam-padded boxes and they made it to me undamaged.

i bought an aluminum radiator, and it came in a box with styrofoam forms around the tanks, and just a couple of styrofoam sheets protecting the core.
there was no damage to it.
just use some good ideas [common sense ?] when packing objects to ship, and the item should arrive at it's destination unscathed.
however, with that said, there are people out there working for all shipping companies, that go out of their way to destroy any and all packages they are tasked to deliver.

I've bought a lot of heads and had them ship to me buy Fed Ex Ground and UPS ground in cardboard factory boxes (Edelbrock's and Indy) as well a s440 Sources
I bought some used heads that the seller wrapped them up in cardboard with several layers and then tape them up to ship, they arrived fine

I bought a set of 906's from someone many years ago that were shipped to me in 2 separate wooden boxes that were made out of 2x6's that tightly surrounded the head and capped top and bottom with 1/2" plywood. The heads are about 45lbs each and the first trip the boxes got banged up a bit. I fixed the damage, added a little more reinforcement to keep the heads locked in place and have since shipped heads in them multiple times.

I ship them either UPS or FED ex and insure them well, the high value gets them a little better care in transit.

Get 2 boxes big enough for the heads with some extra space, 4 garbage bags, and a can of minimal expanding spray foam insulation. put a garbage bag in the bottom of the first box, opened up. Spray foam to fill the bottom of the bag, fold the bag in and set the head on the bag. Take the second bag and put it unto the box over the head, pushing it down around the sides. Fill the bag about 1/2 full of foam, wad the bag up and close and tape the box shut before the foam expands too much. Repeat with the second box/head. The foam will expand to fill the voids, keep it secure in the box, and cushion any hits the box takes. When they open the box on the other end, they can just pull the top foam piece out and grab the head.

put a wanted ad up on FBM & CL for 2 cylinder head boxes IE: Edelbrock etc. if your near a machine shop might see if they have any