How To Ship Paintings: A Complete Guide

Virginia Miller

July 2, 2024

In this article:

Regardless of how massive, antique, or valuable your paintings are, paintings are delicate and often especially sentimental, and that may make them problematic to move or deliver—particularly if you're moving from a long distance. Whether you're a collector, a curator, or an artist, the delivery of artwork may be complex and demanding. The key to transporting artwork adequately is to package them well—and to paintings with professionals who can deal with those valuable, extraordinarily sentimental items with the care they deserve.

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You can follow these simple steps to ensure that your painting, artwork, or any framed piece is shipped safely.

How to Properly Package and Ship Paintings

Measure and Select Appropriate Packaging

Before shipping your painting, accurately measure its dimensions - length, width, and thickness. This will allow you to determine the appropriate sized box, tube, crate or other packaging materials needed to securely transport your art. Consider the dimensional weight rather than just the actual weight to properly calculate shipping costs.

For unframed pieces, sturdy wooden crates can provide protection. Smaller artworks can be shipped in new double-walled corrugated cardboard boxes to minimize movement and provide padding. Be creative with your packaging to keep your art safe during transit.

Protect the Painting Surface

Cover the entire front and back surface of the painting with acid-free glassine paper to prevent dust, moisture damage, or scratches. Use acid-free artist tape to securely adhere the glassine. For rolled tube shipping, leave at least 2 extra inches of protective material extending past the edges of the artwork.

Canvas paintings should be wrapped in at least 3.5mm thick plastic foil. Palette wrap also works well to shield oil paintings or prints from scuffs and scratches.

Safeguard Frames and Fragile Surfaces

Any framed art being shipped requires steps to prevent glass breakage and damage. Apply painter’s tape in an “X” pattern across the glass surface. Alternatively, you can wrap the entire piece in thin plastic film for extra security. This way, if the glass cracks during transit, the pieces will remain in place instead of puncturing the artwork.

Also be sure to reinforce the vulnerable corners of both framed and unframed pieces with cardboard edge protectors. They absorb impacts if the package is dropped or crushed.

Wrap in Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap adds an essential layer of shock and vibration absorption. Entirely enclose the artwork in 2-3 layers of bubble wrap, sealing all seams thoroughly with packing tape. Pay extra attention to securing the easily damaged corners and edges with enough bubble padding.

For mailing tubes, the artwork should be covered with at least one layer of bubble wrap before being rolled and inserted.

Reinforce with Strong Tape

Use at least 2 inch wide heavy duty plastic tape that adheres well, such as poly tape, to seal the shipping box or tube. Make sure all top and bottom seams are fully covered to protect contents from moisture. Adding extra vertical tape strips across the sealed areas helps reinforce the closure.

Avoid household tapes like duct tape that can fail or leave residue on delicate art surfaces.

Additional Shipping Tips

Keep these extra pointers in mind when preparing your art for transport:

Let oil or acrylic paints fully cure and dry before packaging to prevent sticking or transfer.
Save on shipping costs by sending unframed rolled canvases to be mounted at their destination.
For heavy sculptures exceeding 5 lbs or 12 inches, build a custom wooden crate to meet freight carrier regulations.
Wear cotton gloves when handling high gloss photography or delicate art prints to prevent fingerprints and smudges.
Contact freight companies about professional packing and discounted specialty art transport services.

Properly packing and crating your paintings or other artwork takes time and care. But following these tips will ensure your creations safely reach their destination intact and ready to be displayed.

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Next article: How To Ship Fragile Items

Frequently Asked Questions

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What materials are needed to ship a painting?

Sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and packing materials like glassine paper to wrap the painting surface. Wood crates, cardboard edge protectors and plastic film may also be required depending on if it is a framed piece.

Should I ship a painting framed or unframed?

Unframed pieces wrapped in bubble wrap inside boxes or tubes are safer and incur lower shipping costs. Send to be professionally framed at the destination to reduce risk of glass breakage.

How much bubble wrap is needed?

Use 2-3 layers of bubble wrap to entirely enclose artwork, paying special attention to edges and corners. Make sure vulnerable areas have enough padding.

What kind of tape should be used?

Poly tape that is 2+ inches wide and pressure sensitive. Avoid household tapes that can fail or leave adhesive residue behind on delicate surfaces.

Should I crate a large or heavy sculpture?

For statues over 12 inches tall or exceeding 5 pounds, a custom wooden crate is essential to prevent damage according to freight carrier restrictions.

How do I prevent smudging finished artwork?

Always wear clean cotton or dustless nitrile gloves when handling high gloss photography prints or delicate media to prevent fingerprints.

Who offers professional packing services?

Contact freight and specialty carriers beforehand for custom crating and discounted rates bundling packing, shipping, and insurance.

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How To Ship Paintings: A Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials are needed to ship a painting?

Should I ship a painting framed or unframed?

How much bubble wrap is needed?

What kind of tape should be used?

Should I crate a large or heavy sculpture?

How do I prevent smudging finished artwork?

Who offers professional packing services?

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