All art is delicate and fragile, but things get way more serious when it comes to shipping antiques. These art objects are very old, and many materials they’re made of are irreplaceable. That’s why even the slightest damage caused to them during transit may result in a significant loss of value. For this reason, you should take custom packaging for antiques seriously and perform everything in line with professional standards.
Why Is Custom Packaging for Antiques So Important?
As we’ve just shared above, antiques stand apart from other types of art, as they are exceptionally old and fragile. Their surfaces may be covered with old materials manufactured or hand-made using outdated, even obsolete methods. That’s why restoring even the slightest damage may be hard or impossible, and the antique piece may lose its integrity, original look, and financial value as a result of careless treatment or accidental error.
Top Rules of Antique Packaging
To avoid damage to your antique piece, you should take proper care of the packaging process, which should be designed in line with the item’s characteristics, compositional materials, and condition. The main principles of packing antiques usually include the following:
- An acid-free, non-adhesive first layer of wrapping will protect the sensitive surface of the antique artwork. This may be glassine paper or archival tissue paper – any museum-grade, high-quality material that can secure the surface from external impact.
- A thorough cushioning layer will give added protection from bumps and chips in transit. It may be a kraft bubble or bubble wrap, covering the object in several layers to give it proper padding.
- Next comes a custom wooden crate, an additional protective measure that will fasten the antique during the entire process of transportation and keep it thoroughly fixed inside a sturdy wooden structure. If your antique piece is small and lightweight, you may avoid crating and go for a sturdy cardboard box or a double boxing method, provided the item is shipped by a specialized art shuttle.
By implementing these packaging techniques, you’re sure to attain a way higher level of protection for the sensitive, vulnerable art object.
Can’t Pack Antiques on Your Own? We Can Help
If you don’t possess extensive knowledge of custom packaging for antiques, it’s better to entrust the task to professionals instead of doing guesswork. Fine Art Shippers has a competent team of art handlers with a solid understanding of all the rules of artwork and antique furniture packaging. We will arrive at your place, perform a comprehensive assessment of the item, and pack it for safe storage or transit. Call us today for details!