When you sell a piece of art online, and the buyer lives hundreds of miles away, you are in trouble if you do not plan the shipment carefully and take all necessary precautionary measures. The worrying part is: how do you pack it so that it reaches your customer in the same condition it left your studio or gallery?

Shipping artwork should not have to feel like a gamble. Match the packaging method to the artwork, prevent movement inside the package, document its condition, and choose coverage that reflects its value. The steps below will help you prepare paintings, framed pieces, prints, and small sculptures for delivery.

Check the Artwork Before Packing

No matter how much rush you are in, avoid packing a painting if the surface is not fully dry. Being an artist, you know very well that oil paint, thick acrylic, varnish, and textured finish may feel dry on top while remaining soft underneath. Packing too early can cause sticking, pressure marks, or surface damage. Some online art platforms reject damage claims when work is shipped before it has cured properly.

Record the title, artist, medium, dimensions, weight, sale value, and condition. Photograph the front, back, frame, corners, signature, and existing marks. Keep the sales invoice, shipping receipt, tracking number, and certificate of authenticity. These records support a claim and reassure the buyer about the work’s condition.

Choose Material That Fits the Artwork

Most flat artworks need glassine or acid-free tissue, a moisture barrier, corner protectors, firm boards, bubble wrap, a strong corrugated box, and packaging tape. Never place bubble wrap directly against a painted or varnished surface because its texture may leave an impression. Put a non-stick protective layer against the art piece first.

Box size matters. An oversized box allows sliding, while a tight box presses against the frame or canvas. For artists who sell standard sizes regularly, custom packaging boxes can reduce empty space and simplify repeat orders. They are a practical choice when boxes require too much cutting, filling, or rebuilding.

Pack Paintings and Stretched Canvases

Place glassine or acid-free paper over the painted side. Wrap the piece in a plastic sleeve or poly sheeting to guard against moisture. Add corner protectors, then place rigid foam board or double-wall cardboard on the front and back.

Wrap the protected artwork with several layers of bubble wrap by keeping the bubbles away from the art. Give extra attention to corners and edges. Place the wrapped piece in a strong box with even cushioning on every side. Close it temporarily and shake it gently. If you feel any movement, add support before sealing.

Use double boxes with extra protective cushions to absorb shocks for framed artwork that is supposed to ship over a long distance.

Adapt the Method for Frames, Prints, and Sculptures

If the framed artworks are with glass, you need to apply removable glass protection film or low-tack printer’s tape across the glazing to help keep broken glass from shifting if the pane cracks. Protect the frame corners with a rigid board.

Ship valuable works on paper flat between acid-free sheets and rigid boards. A sturdy mailing tube may suit replaceable posters or prints that can be safely rolled, but not brittle paper, pastels, textured work, or pieces that must remain flat. FedEx, for example, offers tubes for rolled prints and specialty boxes for other artwork.

Small sculptures need shaped foam supports that hold the piece without pressing on thin or projecting parts. Use a double box. Large, heavy, irregular, or high-value pieces are usually safer in a fitted wooden crate.

Know When to Use a Crate

Use a professional crate for oversized, fragile, valuable, or heavy artwork, especially when the shipment will be handled multiple times during transit. Some online art marketplaces have their own packaging requirements. For example, Saatchi Art requires artworks measuring 48 inches or more on any side to be shipped in a wooden crate.

Before closing the crate, check that the artwork cannot shift and that no screw, nail, or hard surface can touch it. A fine arts shipping checklist is a useful way to review documentation, packing, labeling, transport, and receiving before pick-up.

Select a Carrier and Check Coverage

Compare carriers by package limits, tracking, signature service, claim procedures, and experience with fragile goods. Standard parcel services work well for smaller, well-packed pieces. But when it comes to high-value, climate-sensitive, or oversized art, you need a fine art shipper providing art handling, crating, or specialized transport services.

Do not assume declared value equals full fine art insurance. Carrier liability, marketplace protection, and separate transit insurance have different limits and exclusions. Ask whether self-packed art is covered and what evidence a claim requires. Photograph the packed work, sealed box, label, measurements, and weight.

Prepare International Documents

Most international shipments need a commercial invoice with an accurate description, value, country of origin, and seller and buyer details. Some countries need an HS code, certificate of origin, export permit, or provenance statement. It is a best practice to verify import and export requirements before shipping.

State in advance whether the buyer or seller is responsible for import duties and taxes. Use a clear description such as “original acrylic painting on canvas” rather than “gift” or “art item.” Incorrect values or vague descriptions can delay clearance.

Seal, Label, and Confirm Delivery

Seal the center and side seams with strong packing tape. Put the shipping label on a flat surface and remove old barcodes. Add “Fragile” and “This side up” labels, but pack the work to survive stacking, turning, and vibration.

Send the buyer the tracking number and request a signature for valuable work. Ask them to inspect the package promptly, photograph damage before removing more packaging, and keep all materials until the condition is confirmed.

Final Words

Safe art shipping starts before the first layer of wrap. Let the artwork dry, record its condition, protect the surface, stop movement inside the box, and choose a carrier whose terms match the shipment. A careful routine protects the work, reduces claim problems, and gives buyers more confidence in purchasing from you again.