Shipping of artworks comes with many hassles, this is due to several factors. As an art collector or creator, you need to have a credible art shipping process to assure your work is received safely by your clients. Here are the steps which would guide you when dealing with fine art shipping.
Take Measurements
The first step before shipping your artwork is to take the right measurements. For those engaged in fine art shipping, knowing the width, length, and height of the artworks is important before putting them in a container.
If you get the wrong measurement, your art might be damaged or defaced before reaching its destination. However, when you get an accurate measurement, you can know the right shipping cost and you will also know how to store these works on the ship.
Choose a reliable Container
When shipping a fine art collection, get a solid container to transport it. It could be a box shipping lube or some kind of container that is good. The most important feature it should have is that it should be of good quality and highly durable. You should choose new boxes over overused ones because they tend to be firmer and more reliable.
If you are mailing small artwork, cardboard boxes and tubes will be ideal. However, for bigger packages, fine art shipping professionals suggest using custom-made wooden crates.
Wrap the artwork
If you are transporting an unframed canvas or delicate artwork, ensure it is perfectly warped on acid-free paper. This is great as it ensures your package is smooth and offers total protection.
Also, it’s suitable for very delicate drawings and unique paintings of fine arts. Moreover, if you are shipping many pieces inside one lube, put a sheet of glass inside the paper before covering them in the tube.
Guard the glass and corners
For your fine art paintings that are framed with glass, adequate protection is important. You should guard the corners so that even when the glasses are broken, they won’t harm the canvas. This can be done easily by tapping the surface of the glass as an added protection. For the corners of the paintings, you can use a self-made corner protector and protect them with tape.
Pack smartly
You should always wrap the art complete with bubble wrap. Depending on the size of the artwork, you could need about three layers on each side. Protect this wrap with a packing tap. Also, try to get a sine foam board and insert them between the artwork for more protection.
Put them gently in a container
After all the processes above, ensure that the fine art is put in a shipping container. Make sure it contains bubbles or other cushioning materials. There may be some turbulence along the way, so proper packing is needed. It must have some extra level of protection to help withstand protection against friction during shipping.
Fine art shipping remains a delicate endeavor because you are to ensure that your goods are well secured. Don’t also forget to take the necessary insurance policies to protect your art in case it’s stolen or gets missing during transport.