Shipping paintings, prints, and photographs is already tedious enough, and adding breakable glass and fragile frames into the mix only makes it worse. But do not worry – your valuables will arrive safely at their destination if you follow professional picture packing tips before sending them. Here is a checklist of things you must never forget when preparing to ship framed pictures.
Never Ship Framed Pictures Without These Packaging Materials
1. Painter’s tape
Painter’s tape is a special kind of tape that is not as sticky as regular tape. It comes off easily without causing damage to the surface and leaving a sticky residue, no matter how much time has passed. When packing framed pictures for shipping, this low-adhesive tape is extremely useful for taping the glass part of the frame to protect it. Not only can it protect glass from scratches, but it can also prevent shards of glass from ruining the piece and causing injury in case the glass breaks. The best way to use painter’s tape is to make a crisscross shape on the glass part of the frame.
2. Bubble wrap
Many art logistics companies swear by bubble wrap, and for a good reason. This material is relatively cheap, comes in all different sizes, and provides cushioning support for fragile valuables. Bubble wrap is also often substituted by kraft bubble, which is a material that has plastic bubble wrap on one side and rough kraft paper on the other. To protect your picture frame for shipping, wrap it in bubble wrap and tape it with packing tape. However, before using bubble wrap, make sure to wrap each artwork with glassine paper, art plastic, tissue paper, or another acid-free material.
3. Cardboard
Cardboard is an almost universal material that can be used to pack pretty much anything. The most efficient way to use cardboard when shipping a framed picture is to first sandwich the piece between two pieces of cardboard and then put it in a cardboard box. Art handlers recommend using double-walled boxes to ensure maximum protection. Cardboard is also a very affordable material that can be found for cheap almost anywhere. If the frame you are using came in a cardboard box when you bought it, you can ship your framed picture in it. Just make sure that the condition of the box is suitable for repeated use.
Just like that, you can ship framed pictures safely and efficiently with the help of these familiar and affordable materials. Now, all that is left is to label your package and send it off with a professional fine art shipping company.