You should view and enjoy beautiful art daily, particularly if you created it or fell in love with it and purchased it. The moment has come to learn how to ship a painting if you live far away or wish to transport your artwork.
Before deciding how to ship a painting, begin by examining the piece.
Consider the materials and pigments the artist selected, such as:
• If the artwork’s canvas or frame is thick
• Can it be folded up?
• Consider the painting’s various components and elements
Shipping requirements for different art components may vary. For example, oil paintings should first be packaged in acid-free paper to prevent damage. While the acid-free paper protects the artwork, bubble wrap can be used as an additional layer of protection against shipping bumps.
DURING SHIPPING, CONSIDER THE SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE PAINTING:
Custom Crating and Logistics focus on large, heavy, and cumbersome objects. Consequently, we constantly consider the size and weight of packages. Due to the size and packaging of the artwork, it may fall easily into these categories. It suggests that you should weigh and measure your shipment after making the box or crate in which your painting will be shipped.
DEFINING THE RECIPIENT:
Once you’ve reviewed the painting supplies and established what has to be adequately secured, you should consider the conveyance itself. What are your plans for the artwork? Do you intend to relocate and bring it along? Can you relocate it to another location? Or are you selling it to an out-of-state or international buyer or shipping it to them?
SHIPPING PAINTINGS OVER LONG DISTANCES:
You will require the assistance of a carrier if the artwork is being shipped over a long distance. Small, local companies or well-known national brands, such as Custom Crating and Logistics, are possible examples. We are the greatest option for painters and gallery owners because we can ship artwork over great distances. You can send individual products or an entire collection via a combined freight transfer.
Depending on their estimation of the DIM weight, shippers may apply varying fees, tariffs, or conditions for paintings.
PACKAGING AND PROTECTION OF PAINTING WHILE SHIPPING OVER LONG DISTANCES:
Let’s move on to the issue for which you visited this page: how to transport a painting and what packaging materials to employ. The optimal method for packaging the artwork depends on how it is mounted. Several of your options are listed here. Not forgetting to handle paintings with care as fragile relics is essential.
PROTECTING YOUR PAINTING:
The first step in the packing process is to clean your space. Remove any debris, dust, or other particles that could attach to your painting. Cleaning acts as a reminder to inspect the frame, glass, and surviving elements of the artwork for signs of degradation. Wear gloves to protect the artwork if you must touch it.
Before laying out the artwork and taking measurements, clean your workspace. Take photographs while you measure the product to document the data and its quality during delivery. If the painting is destroyed, thorough documentation is required.
PROTECTION AND PADDING:
You may ship artwork in double-walled boxes and corrugated cardboard as long as their dimensions do not exceed 48 inches on each side. Large objects must always be safely packaged. Regardless, you must protect the painting itself in some way.
The artwork itself should receive protection initially. Artists universally recommend using acid-free glassine paper, although this recommendation is dependent on the type of painting. Purchase options are available for archival paper. It protects the artwork and decreases the likelihood of stains and other forms of damage. Including the edges, the image should be entirely covered with paper layers. Using acid-free tape, the sheet should be affixed to the frame or back.
Some painters stacked acid-free paper to increase the thickness of the border and side guards. The foam pipe insulation can be cut into pieces and put into the frame or borders. The foam should not be placed directly on oil paintings, since doing so could cause the foam to split and become embedded in the painting.
After placing the paper and foam, you can either wrap the artwork in bubble wrap or cut cardboard pieces to preserve it. Adhere to the wrap if you want to place the artwork in a tube. When transporting a painting in a box or crate, consider wrapping the front and back with thick cardboard and taping it in place. In this method, only dry paintings may be overlaid.
TUBES AND ROLLS:
Canvases that are not mounted may be folded and shipped in a tube. By rolling them, you can send posters, prints, and other tiny items down the tubing. It is common for high-volume producers to have a workshop where their artwork and designs are produced or printed. These items should be rolled and placed in the shortest possible tube. However, sufficient space is required to prevent damage to the canvas when the consumer takes them from the tubing. The tube should be approximately three to four inches long and wide enough to accommodate several inches of cushioning materials.
If your painting’s canvas is stretched (drawn over a wooden frame) or if it is framed and covered with glass, you will need to switch to a more comprehensive protection method. These are more challenging because more things can go wrong during transport.
Glass and frames can be protected with foam and other cushioning materials if there is a risk of harm. If your canvas is stretched across an interior structure for complete protection, wrap it in bubble wrap. You can deliver glass separately or alongside a painting. Most of the time, according to artists, you can add materials such as wrap and materials between the canvas and the glass, but you should still give space for mobility. It reduces the chance of damage to the paintwork and the likelihood of its breaking. Add cardboard pieces to provide a robust and secure base for the entire piece of artwork, the frame, and the glass.
YOU MAY MAKE OR USE EXISTING BOXES TO mail YOUR PAINTINGS:
You may make or use a box to mail your paintings. In advance, purchase a carton that is two to three inches larger on both sides than the artwork. You will have sufficient space to cover the painting and add additional corner padding or foam. Each box you employ must have additional corner protection to lessen the risk of damage.
Regardless of the route you choose, choose a box that can be filled and has space for padding. Add layers of protection for enhanced security during transit. And continue to use paper, cardboard, and insulation.
SHIPPING YOUR artwork WITH A RELIABLE CARRIER:
Once you’ve secured and boxed your artwork, it’s time to give it to your shipping partner. You can acquire the correct shipping option from carrier shops and indicate that your artwork is fragile. Your picture will arrive safely at its destination via a variety of ground and freight methods.
Inquire about freight services if you are delivering a large box or a large quantity of artwork. If your shipment is large or heavy, these options take longer but can generate significant savings. Custom Crating and Logistics are dependable, and we will handle your artwork with care.