Mirror shipping is a task of exceptional risk because mirrors are very fragile. Stakes get even higher if you need to ship an antique or vintage mirror with a six-figure price tag. Even the tiniest error can result in irreparable damage, so it’s essential to plan all shipping procedures with precision and expertise. Here are the main safety precautions and preparations you can’t ignore.
What Should Be Done Before Mirror Shipping? Vital Packing Tips
Your professional treatment of the mirror should start at the preparation stage, which involves thorough packing with museum-grade, acid-free materials. Along with their safety for the mirror’s surface and frame, those materials should provide comprehensive cushioning and protection against cracks.
Experts recommend removing all loose or fragile ornamentation where possible and taking high-quality photos before packing so that you have proof of the mirror’s original condition. The glass surface should be given extra attention, with low-tack painter’s tape or glass-masking film application in a grid-like way across the entire surface. This method will secure the frame by keeping shards together in case of accidental breakage.
Frame packing should be approached with due care, as frames on antiques and vintage objects are extremely delicate. You need to create a buffer layer with acid-free materials and then add corner protectors made of foam board to secure the corners. If the frame is gilded, the rule of thumb is to prevent its direct contact with bubble wrap; the first layer should always be acid-free and non-adhesive, such as glassine paper or archival tissue paper.
Transportation Stage Precautions
Mirrors should be securely boxed or crated after all packing layers are applied in the correct order. The final container with the mirror in it is labelled as fragile freight, with proper indications like “Fragile” and “This Side Up” on all sides of the box. In many cases, general-purpose carriers like UPS and FedEx won’t do because the risk of drops, vibration, and careless handling on conveyors during automated sorting rises manifold. Instead, the mirror’s owner should find a specialized art shipping company like Fine Art Shippers, which can provide expert mirror handling at every transportation stage.
Advanced Safety Tips
Wishing to protect your mirror even better? Here are some not-that-obvious mirror shipping tips from professionals.
- Put desiccant packs inside the box for better moisture control.
- Use edge protectors specifically meant for artwork.
- Float-mount the mirror inside the crate to improve the shock absorption properties of the packaging.
These hacks are sure to provide your mirror with extra protection and guarantee its safe trip to the destination point.