Art owners often face the need to send or receive their art objects for various reasons. It may be lending of the artwork to an exhibition, sale or purchase of an art item, or relocation to another home. In any of these cases, you will need to package art and organize its safe transportation from one place to another. So, how to ship framed artwork professionally and safely? Which aspects should you take care of, and what does the whole process look like?
Materials for Framed Artwork Packaging
The first point to consider (especially if you move framed art on your own) is the minimal set of professional packaging materials. Experts recommend using acid-free archival tissue, glassine paper, or art plastic as the first layer, bubble wrap or kraft bubble for cushioning, and corner protectors to avoid damage to the frame. Next, you will need packing tape and foam boards for the artwork’s stabilization in a cardboard box.
How to Ship Framed Artwork: Main Steps
Once you have all materials ready for packaging, it’s time to clean the artwork’s surfaces and wrap it in acid-free first layer and bubble wrap. Add the corner protectors and foam boards when placing the framed art object into the box. Seal the box and label it appropriately, indicating that the object is delicate and fragile. Find a reliable carrier who can ship the artwork with due regard to safety precautions.
Extra Tips to Help You Ship Artwork Like a Pro
Mastering how to ship framed artwork is not as quick and easy as it seems. To provide your art object with extra protection, you may use the following pro tips.
- Consider using a double box, which is a typical technique for protecting extremely valuable and delicate art objects. It presupposes putting one box into a larger one and adding an extra layer of cushioning materials in between.
- Opt for climate-controlled shipping vehicles if possible. If your artwork is old or sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations, make sure that your carrier is ready to provide climate-controlled transportation options.
- Use a custom crate to provide the maximum level of protection to the artwork. This tip applies to art objects traveling over long distances and overseas, as international carriers won’t give you insurance for inadequately protected objects.
Here you go with all the nuances of shipping framed art objects. Use these tips to guarantee a hassle-free transportation process in compliance with all safety precautions. This investment will pay off in the form of your assets’ integrity.