The work of fine art shippers is truly bright and varied, just like the artwork they handle and ship every day. But even though they move everything from contemporary installations to antique china sets, large paintings are still the most common. That’s why they know exactly the best way to ship large paintings or prints. In this blog post, we’ll highlight some of the aspects of this process.
The Best Way to Ship Large Paintings or Prints: Experts Answer
Unfortunately, there is no single answer to the question “What is the best way to ship large paintings or prints?” It depends on some important nuances that determine the right type of packaging.
If you are shipping an unstretched painting, the packing process is quite simple. In some cases, you can even do it without the help of professional art handlers. Purchase a shipping tube of the proper size, cover the front of the painting with acid-free paper (for example, glassine paper), carefully roll the canvas, and place it inside the tube. This method of shipping is cost-effective, as the rolled item takes up less space than if it is being shipped full size.
The real challenges begin when you need to ship large paintings or prints in frames. In this case, we strongly recommend that you contact a professional fine art shipping company if you want to move your items without damaging them. There are two methods of shipping framed fine art pieces. For ground transportation, it may be sufficient to use soft packing – cardboard, foam, glassine paper, art plastic, and bubble wrap. Multilayer packaging provides protection from scratches and bumps and is good for shipping by specialized art shuttles.
For international shipments by air or sea, experts recommend using shipping crates. It is a custom-made container made of wood or plywood materials. The crate’s solid structure, together with the internal padding, protects both the painting and the frame from any kind of damage. However, it is important to note that it is impossible to properly crate an artwork at home if you don’t have experience and special skills.
To conclude, the best way to ship large paintings or prints by air or sea is by using an art shipping crate, while for art shuttle transportation, soft packing is usually enough. Soft packing also includes shipping tubes, which are good for moving unstretched works of art. However, if you don’t want to get confused in all these nuances, you can always ask for help from a professional art moving company like Fine Art Shippers.