How to Ship a Framed Picture? Main Principles and Best Practices

How to Ship a Framed Picture? Main Principles and Best Practices

Many paintings are framed for the sake of their preservation in good condition as long as possible. The paint on unstretched paintings may crack much sooner if they are rolled multiple times during handling, so a better way of painting’s transportation is by keeping its frame intact. Yet, the transportation of a framed artwork may also come with risks and difficulties, such as the frame’s cracking or damage to the frame’s corners. So, how to ship a framed picture with all safety precautions? Here is a quick guide to the main principles and best practices.

How to Ship a Framed Picture?

Preparation

The first step is your painting’s assessment. Is it covered by glass? If yes, you should put the painter’s tape in the X-form over the glass so that it stays connected even in case of breakage and doesn’t damage the canvas.

The next stage is packaging with professional-grade materials. You will need to wrap the painting in art plastic or glassine paper and put cardboard or foam corner protectors on the corners of the painting to protect the frame’s most vulnerable parts. The next layer is bubble wrap. After that, put the painting into a sturdy cardboard box and fill in the empty spaces with cushioning materials if needed to prevent shifting.

Safety in Transit

Even if you package the painting right, there are still risks in transit. Therefore, if you ship a painting by a regular carrier, use a double-boxing method for extra protection. It works as follows: you pack the painting as usual and seal it in a box slightly larger in dimensions than the painting itself. After that, you repeat the procedure and pack a smaller box with a painting in a larger box.

Secure Your Paintings by Hiring Reliable Art Shippers

By shipping the painting with a regular transportation company without expertise in fine art handling, you endure the risks of scratching or breaking the frame or glass due to the absence of delicate treatment. Therefore, it is better to choose specialized art shipping services like Fine Art Shippers. Our team knows for sure how to ship a framed picture, so we can handle the item securely from start to finish and guarantee a safe trip for it at any distance.