When you are moving art, you need the pieces to get to their destination safely. The last thing you want is for galleries, museums, or private customers to receive damaged or destroyed items. Most works are unique and irreplaceable, meaning the stakes are higher than when sending common products.

How can you ensure that your fine art shipping experience goes as smoothly as possible? We have some tips you can try to improve the likelihood that your works arrive safely.

Prepare the Piece for Shipping
Art transportation is a complex process requiring many steps. First, you will need to prepare the artwork for shipping.

Paint, varnish or resin on artwork can sometimes appear dry when it is not. Shipping before the item is ready can cause irreparable damage. Check drying times for the products used, and remember that humidity affects this process.

When preparing a piece of art with a high-gloss finish, wear gloves to prevent fingerprints and similar blemishes. We suggest dustless nitrile or cotton ones designed for handling art.

Choose the Right Container
Another essential part of art logistics is choosing the best container. First, you will need to measure the length, width and height of the piece you are shipping. Then, choose from options like boxes, crates or tubes for transportation. You can use the International shipping cost calculator to compute how much you will pay to ship the item.

Smaller works of fine art can travel in a double-walled cardboard box to minimize movement while in the container. It should be large enough to offer 15 cm of extra space on each side of the piece to allow for padding.

Larger, heavier items, like sculptures over 30 cm tall or 2 kg in weight, do best in a custom wooden crate. Unframed artwork more than 1.2 by 1.2 m or framed works above 45 by 60 cm also benefit from this stronger protection.

Unmounted artwork that can roll up without damage travels well in a shipping tube. Choose one with at least 10 cm of extra room at each end to add padding. You may find it more cost-effective to transport works this way and have them framed at the destination.

Package Securely
Packaging items for fine art transport requires applying several layers of protection. You can wrap canvases in acid-free glassine paper to protect them from moisture and dust. Cover all surfaces and use artist tape to secure it.

Here are some additional tips for the packing process:

• Protect glass or acrylic on framed artwork by placing tape across it in a star pattern. Use four strips that form two overlapping X shapes.
• Wrap glass tightly with cling film. If it breaks, it will not puncture or tear the artwork.
• Avoid damage by using cardboard corner protectors.
• Cover the piece with two to three layers of bubble wrap.
• Place the work between two foam boards at least 1 cm thick.
• Fill leftover space in the container with bubble wrap.
• Seal boxes with high-quality packing tape.

Select the Transportation Method
When selecting a shipping company, it can be tempting to use a well-known courier service that handles all types of packages. However, such carriers may not be the safest because they require transportation via air freight.

Consider a fine art shipping company that has the expertise to transport art antiques securely. Ground transportation or sea freight may be safer options.

International shipping often results in additional paperwork and fees. A specialized company can help you navigate the process and meet these requirements.

Consider Insurance
Homeowners or business insurance typically do not cover art collections. So, additional coverage is usually necessary. Some specialized policies may protect works being shipped to your gallery.

If your policy does not cover potential losses during shipping, consider transport insurance. It can help you replace any damaged items.

In a Nutshell
Shipping a range of fine art requires careful planning. Valuable pieces need adequate preparation and packaging in appropriate containers.

Specialized art shipping companies are best equipped to ensure your artwork arrives safely. Even so, we recommend investing in insurance to cover any accidental damage.