Whether you are an owner of an oil painting that needs to be moved or an artist selling your masterpieces online, knowing how to pack this type of art is vital to keep them well-protected. Proper packing ensures the optimal protection of the canvas and frame and eliminates unfortunate accidents, such as scratches and water damage. In this blog post, we share with you our pro tips on how to pack an oil painting with readily available materials that can be found in any home.
What Materials to Use and What to Avoid
The biggest mistake that people make when packing art pieces, such as oil paintings, is using anything that can potentially create a protective layer around the canvas. Newspapers and bubble wrapping are the first materials that come to mind. They are cheap, easily accessible, and familiar to anyone who has ever moved to a new apartment or received packages.
However, oil paintings require a more delicate approach to packing. Newspapers can actually damage the delicate oil layer, transferring paint and leaving horrible marks. Bubble wrap, in turn, can stick to the painting if it is wrapped directly around the canvas, with no extra layer of paper between them. Regular plastic is also not the best idea, as it can stick to the oil paint and damage it.
Based on our experience of shipping oil paintings, we can confidently claim that non-adhesive, paint- and oil-free materials are a much more suitable option for oil canvasses. You may not have acid-free art plastic or glassine paper at hand, but these materials can be easily bought online from a specialized art supplies store.
For corner protection, use cardboard strips that can be cut out from any box. Only after you wrap your oil painting in the first layer of protective material can you add bubble wrap to the shipping box. Make sure these materials hold the painting firmly in place so that it won’t move during transportation.
Once it’s done, place the painting in a double-wall cardboard box and seal it properly with quality packing tape.
How to Pack an Oil Painting with Professional Help
If you still have questions about how to pack an oil painting, you can always contact our team for expert advice. If you own an expensive or particularly rare oil canvas, our shipping services would be the best option. We not only use the safest and most delicate materials to keep the art pieces safe but also lead clients through every step of fine art shipping.