You cannot be too careful when it comes to packaging art for shipping. At Fine Art Shippers, we know that like no other. Over the past 20 years, we have shipped numerous works of art for collectors, artists, galleries, auction houses, and art institutions both in the United States and abroad. The process of packing artwork for shipping, no matter nationally or internationally, is a delicate one, and it is never the same. Each piece of art is unique, and each piece of art requires an individual approach when packing it for the transportation, with all the parameters assessed and all the nuances taken into account. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you don’t leave anything to chance and instead hire professional movers providing specialized fine art packing and crating services. However, if you are willing to do it yourself, take your time to read the following several tips from our professional art movers.
Pro Tips on Packaging Art for Shipping
1. Protect the glass.
If you are packing a painting, drawing, print, or any other artwork framed with glass, use painter’s tape on the glass to protect the surface of your artwork from damage if the glass is broken during the move.
2. Wrap the artwork carefully.
Depending on the type of art you are packing, use acid-free paper, bubble wrap, or plastic paper to wrap the artwork. You can use several wrapping materials to provide your piece of art with the better protection.
3. Opt for a high-quality cardboard box.
Choose a durable double- or triple-wall corrugated cardboard box and fill it with cushioning material to make sure that your artwork won’t move inside the box in transit. If you are shipping a painting, you can use cardboard sheets on both sides of the painting for a stronger cover.
4. Ship art in a wooden crate.
The safest and most reliable method of packaging art is custom crating. Professional fine art moving companies offer a variety of crates that can be built to any specifications and requirements. If your artwork is properly packed and crated in wood, it is guaranteed to arrive at the destination intact.
5. Take care of the art insurance.
To have your art insured is always a smart decision. No one knows what may happen in transit, so it is always better to know that you will be refunded in case something goes wrong during the move.
If you are not sure about the right way of packaging art for shipping, please feel free to contact Fine Art Shippers. We will be happy to provide you with any art packing and crating services at very competitive rates. Meanwhile, let us share with you a short video showing how the painting should be packed for shipping over a long distance. Hopefully, it will make the process of packaging art a bit more simple and efficient.