How to Ship Your Artwork Safely
Shipping any sort of artwork can be a problem as large items are priced using a complicated system based on size and weight. More of a problem still is shipping framed glazed artwork.
The first thing you need to do is choose a shipping company such as DHL, Fastway Couriers, Parcelforce or UPS. It is highly recommended that you use a shipper who allows you to insure the art for its full value or at least the price at which it was sold. Although the insurance option adds to the cost, it is very worthwhile as it will secure gentler handling and offers peace of mind. Remember though to read the small print on any insurance option when shipping or you may be unable to make a claim if the item arrives damaged. The following points are very important:
- Make sure someone is there to sign for the package on delivery or it may be taken back to the depot.
- Tell the recipient to check the packaging of the delivery before they sign for it. If it is damaged make sure they sign for it as "damaged", do not sign for it "unchecked".
It's also a good idea to keep all of your tracking numbers and receipts from everyone involved just in case a claim must be filed for damage.
Shipping Unmounted Prints
If the artwork is delicate you may find it best to protect it with tissue paper on both the front and the back. You can tape the artwork in its protective tissue to a sturdy piece of card or better still make a triangle out of a folded sheet of paper and place a triangle on all four ends of the print or drawing, then tape each triangle to the cardboard.
Place two or three layers of corrugated cardboard on both sides of the art package to prevent any sort of bending. Tape around the outside of the cardboard pieces so they stay together. You should also further pack it with a sandwich of foam board, Correx (corrugated plastic sheeting) or the more rigid Foamex panels to prevent any type of bending during transit. Finally tape a protective layer of bubble wrap around the whole package.
Shipping Mounted and Glazed Prints
The most economical way of packing your artwork is by using a corrugated carton or box direct from a specialist packaging company like Rendac Packaging. They can supply a full range of different sized cardboard boxes made from light weight single wall to the heavier double and triple versions of corrugated cardboard. Alternatively you can make your own boxes from Correx (corrugated plastic sheeting).
Remember to cover the glass of any glazed print with masking tape so that if the glass breaks in transit the artwork itself will not be damaged. 3M masking tape is available in very wide widths, which is useful for large areas of glass or ordinary width masking tape can be applied in a star shape just as effectively. Add some cardboard inside the recess of the frame and then wrap with bubble wrap around the whole package. Specifically, you need to protect all the corners of the artwork since the corners tend to be the points of impact when the box gets moved around during shipping.
Place the bubble wrapped artwork on to a layer of packing material inside the box and stuff the sides and top with additional packing material. A tight fit will ensure the artwork does not slide around in the box. Tape the entire box securely by taping completely around the edges.
Artwork is easily damaged in shipping if it is not packed properly. If you have doubts about how to pack artwork for shipping, please consult a professional shipper of art, a museum, framer or a gallery.
For more information or advice on shipping your artwork safely, please call Tim Sale or Adrian Chambers on 0117 952 0105 or use the contact form to tell us your requirements, we can suggest the most appropriate solution for your fine art printing needs.
