artHYPE Guide to Shipping Artwork
artHYPE and TAG Gallery are responsible for many art shipments, coming and going, throughout the year. This guide serves as a helpful reference for artists and collectors.
Shipping artwork involves several essential steps to ensure it arrives safely and in good condition:
1. Preparation
Measure the Artwork: Include the frame to determine the art's Height, Width, and Depth.
2. Gather Materials:
• Bubble wrap or foam sheets
• Glassine paper, acid-free plain wrapping paper, or plain tissue paper
• Corner protectors for frames
• Cardboard sheets or foam boards
• Packing tape
• Sturdy box or wooden crate (depending on size and fragility)
• Fragile stickers and shipping labels
• Scissors/Box cutter
3. Protect the Artwork
Ensure your hands are clean and your workspace is dust-free. Wrap the artwork.
• To protect the artwork from moisture and dust, place a layer of glassine or acid-free paper directly on the surface.
• Wrap the artwork in several layers of bubble wrap (flat side against the artwork, unless it is a complex sculpture) or foam sheets, securing it with tape.
• Use corner protectors.
4. Prepare the Packaging
• Cardboard/Foam Boards: For added rigidity, sandwich the wrapped artwork between two cardboard or foam board pieces.
• Secure the Bundle: Use packing tape to secure the cardboard or foam boards around the artwork.
5. Boxing the Artwork
• Choose the Right Box: Select a box slightly larger than the artwork bundle for cushioning material.
• Cushion the Box: Line the bottom of the box with packing material (bubble wrap, foam peanuts, or crumpled paper).
• Place the Artwork: Place the artwork bundle in the center of the box and fill any remaining space with cushioning material to prevent damage from movement.
• Make a copy of the Shipping Label to put inside the box.
• Seal the Box: Close the box and seal all seams with packing tape.
• Label Clearly: Attach the shipping label and any necessary customs forms. Place “Fragile" stickers on all sides of the box to alert handlers to take extra care.
7. Shipping Options
• Choose a Reliable Carrier: Select a carrier with a good reputation for handling fragile items. Consider options like UPS, FedEx, or DHL.
• Insurance: Purchase insurance to cover the value of the artwork in case of damage or loss.
• Tracking: Opt for a shipping service that provides tracking information.
8. Special Considerations for Different Types of Artwork
Framed with Glass: If the artwork is framed with glass, use painter’s tape to create an "X" across the glass to minimize damage if it breaks (which is very likely). Preferably, send the artwork without glass or replace the glass with Plexi well before the shipping date.
If appropriate, use a strong shipping tube for unframed canvases or textiles, ensuring it is wide enough to prevent crushing.
Unframed paper or photographs should be sent flat, protected by a paper envelope, between sturdy cardboard and foam sheets, and wrapped to ship in a box.
9. Professional Services
Consider using professional art shipping services for extremely valuable or delicate artworks. These services provide specialized packaging, handling, and climate-controlled transport.
We recommend UPS for packaging and sending artwork and that artists use dedicated art and mirror boxes for shipping artwork. Reusable art boxes are popular and available from the following companies:
Following these steps can increase the odds that your artwork arrives safely at its destination.
10. Other Considerations
Shipping materials can often be stored and reused later in shipping, moving, or storage. Less is more; if materials are limited, only the frame and the front of the artwork need protection. Shipping with only wrapping paper and cardboard (not plastic) is also viable, ensuring no movement in the appropriate packaging.
~Wren Sarrow, artHYPE President, TAG Gallery Manager
BONUS! Materials List
These materials are used for shipping at artHYPE and TAG; at home, I also recycle clean shipping materials, saving them in a large laundry basket:
Acid-free wrapping paper is a significant investment, so we often use Kraft paper for temporary shipping protocols: https://amzn.to/3VOXXRw
Acid-free tissue paper: https://amzn.to/4bgolcA
Shipping Tape: https://amzn.to/3VYwHkx
Bubble Wrap: https://amzn.to/3XGi1b7
Moving film (great for wrapping corners): https://amzn.to/3L2Bprm
Water soluble peanuts: https://amzn.to/45KHXEI
Variable Corner protectors: https://amzn.to/4bldL3W
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