Transportation of mirrors is often way more complicated than shipping regular fine art objects. Mirrors are usually heavyweight and fragile, with risks coming from both the mirror and its frame. Ready to learn how to ship a mirror safely? The starting point is to identify the main risks your property faces during transportation.

Top 4 Risks Facing Mirrors During Transportation

As soon as you start planning mirror transportation, you need to focus on the following sources of potential risk of damage.

Impact and Vibration

A mirror can crack or shatter because of sudden shocks or sustained vibration during transit. That’s what may be mitigated with the help of proper shock and vibration absorption systems in specialized art transportation vehicles.

Scratches and Surface Damage

The mirror’s reflective surface is another highly fragile and delicate part of the item, which suffers from damage most often. It may be easily scratched if not protected correctly. For this reason, art handlers cover the mirror’s surface with acid-free, non-adhesive, and high-quality materials that will ensure its comprehensive protection at all stages of transportation.

Damage to the Frame or Mirror’s Backing

Decorative frames may also represent a standalone work of art, and their intactness is one of the top priorities in the shipping process. To avoid surface scratches and chips, the shipping team should perform comprehensive packaging in multiple protective and cushioning layers of materials. It also makes sense to pack the mirror in a sturdy cardboard box or crate to avoid the damage of oddly shaped, decorative frames.

Moisture and Temperature

Environmental factors can also sometimes serve as sources of risk and damage for the mirror, especially if your item has to travel a long distance. Combined exposure to high humidity and temperature fluctuations may result in the mirror’s warping, delamination, or fogging. Therefore, it is vital to ensure proper insulation of the packaging layers so that the mirror travels safely and withstands the changes in environmental conditions.

We Know How to Ship a Mirror Safely

If you’re not fully sure about how to ship a mirror with minimal safety risks, the team of Fine Art Shippers is ready to give you a helping hand. We’ve been in the market for fine art shipping for three decades and know what it takes to deliver precious and fragile items safe and sound. Contact our Operations Office to find out more about the packing process and safe delivery services we provide.