The art market is getting increasingly globalized, which means that art owners often make purchases without being physically present. Online art sales or mediator-facilitated deals are common today, and art moves domestically and across borders while its owner may be thousands of miles away. In these conditions, people look for ways to manage fine art packing and shipping remotely, which is possible with the help of well-organized processes, communication, and documentation. 

How to Manage the Process of Fine Art Packing and Shipping Remotely?

The first element that enables safe oversight of fine art packing and shipping at a distance is a set of clear instructions. Before beginning the packing process, the shipper and owner should agree on a clear scope of work, which specifies the set of packing materials, packing algorithm, and the desired output. Vague requests translate into arbitrary choices and cannot guarantee full compliance with professional standards or the client’s expectations.

Next comes condition reporting. The art owner, who is unable to be present at the moment of pick-up and packing, should hire a qualified professional who will perform a complete assessment. The condition report usually includes photos of the artwork’s front, back, and edges so that each participant in the shipping process knows the existing condition issues.

Another viable option for organizing art packing and shipping fully in line with the art owner’s expectations is live video supervision. Contemporary technology lets anyone be virtually present in any corner of the globe, no matter how far away from their physical location. Many fine art logistics providers offer video calls to clients with whom they work remotely, thus getting real-time confirmations on the correctness of handling procedures, packing material choices, etc. Video supervision is uniquely valuable for complex artwork with fragile surfaces, where even a minimal error can cause irreparable damage.

Choose the Right Partners to Enjoy Safe Shipping

While your input in the form of clear instructions and precise step-by-step guidance makes a difference to the process of art packing and shipping, some things don’t depend entirely on you. The expertise and professionalism of chosen partners also matter, especially when you aren’t physically present on the packing site and should rely on the hired experts completely. That’s why it is very important to choose only reliable fine art logistics companies able to meet your requirements and expectations.