Even in the world of high-end art, some unique, exceptionally rare, and wildly expensive art objects, stand apart from the crowd. That’s why high-value art shipping, such as the transportation of multi-million-dollar paintings, often requires a different approach to planning and execution. Here is an insider’s look into the process that professional art logistics companies typically use to move unique art objects between locations.
What Does the Process of High-Value Art Shipping Involve?
Pre-Shipping Condition Assessment and Documentation
High-value art shipping is impossible without the initial assessment of the artwork’s condition. It is necessary for insurance and documentation purposes, as the slightest damage to a very expensive art object may result in costly legal disputes. That’s why an art logistics team takes detailed photos and videos of the object before packing it. Sometimes, the client may also want to use UV, infrared, and raking light scans to identify vulnerabilities unnoticeable to the human eye.
Custom Packing and Crating
Next comes the packing stage. Old and delicate art objects are extremely susceptible to moisture, vibration, temperature, and other kinds of impact and need to be carefully packed to prevent those effects. The traditional approach to packing high-value paintings includes acid-free tissue paper, glassine paper, or professional art plastic used as a protective shield for sensitive surfaces. It is also vital to apply cushioning materials such as kraft bubble. The final layer of protection is a custom-built wooden crate with protective features, such as a floating suspension system and double-walled insulation.
In some cases, a logistics company may also place a GPS tracker into the crate, especially when shipping exclusive art objects over long distances. The device ensures that the art object will be easily traced in case of loss or theft.
Climate Control and Environmental Protection Considerations
Stable environmental conditions inside the vehicle are very important throughout the process of transportation. That’s why advanced climate control systems are used in specialized art trucks to guarantee a stable temperature range of 65-72°F and relative humidity within the range of 45-55%. It’s also vital to eliminate any direct exposure to UV radiation or sunlight.
Besides these technical protections of the art piece, there are also secure transportation protocols that prevent hijacking risks. Valuable art pieces are an appealing target for world-class thieves and fraudsters, so it’s vital to keep all security measures in mind when organizing a safe trip for high-end artworks.