When it comes to shipping or transporting paintings, one question that often arises is which packaging to choose. While painting crates are some of the most popular options out there, many people wonder whether they are really necessary. Here is what a professional fine art shipping company thinks.
What are painting crates?
Painting crates are containers designed to provide a safe and secure environment for paintings during transportation. They are typically made from high-quality materials such as plywood in order to withstand the rigors of transportation. These crates are available in various sizes and can be customized to fit the specific dimensions of the painting, ensuring a snug fit that prevents any movement or damage during transit. Sounds great, right?
When do you need a crate?
All art shipping experts agree that crates are an absolute necessity when shipping highly valuable paintings over long distances. Since exclusive artworks are often one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable, and may have significant monetary and sentimental value, they need extra secure protection. Besides, insurance companies may also require high-value paintings to be transported in crates to ensure their safety and protect them from damage.
When is a crate unnecessary?
If you are shipping artworks by a specialized art shuttle, crating is not required in most cases. However, you need to ensure that your paintings are properly soft-packed using the best quality materials, such as art plastic, kraft bubble, foam sheets, and sturdy cardboard boxes.
When it comes to international shipment, all paintings must be crated in wood according to industry standards. For air and sea freight, a custom-built painting crate is essential to protect the work from damage during handling and turbulence.
In conclusion, whether you need an art crate or not will depend strictly on the requirements of your piece. While custom-made painting crates can be pretty expensive, the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged work can be significantly higher. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to invest in a painting crate to ensure the safety and security of your art during transit.