A painting sold at a local show, a family portrait headed to a new home, a limited-edition print going to a collector across the country. Artwork travels for all kinds of reasons, and it is one of the easiest things to damage in transit. Many people know us as a Notary Newport Beach office, but we also pack and ship art for local artists, galleries and homeowners. Here is how we approach framed pieces, canvases and prints, and what to know about coverage before anything leaves the counter.
What usually damages artwork during shipping?
Most art damage comes from broken glass, crushed corners and punctures. A framed piece with glass is the highest risk, because once the glass cracks, loose shards slide across the artwork underneath and scratch it.
Corners take the impact when a box is dropped or tipped. Punctures happen when another package, a forklift tine or a conveyor edge presses into a soft spot in the box. Every step of good art packing is aimed at one of those problems.
How do you pack a framed piece with glass?
Start by taping the glass, then protect the corners, wrap the piece and float it in a box with at least two to three inches of cushioning on every side.
Run low-tack painter’s tape across the glass in an X or a grid. If the glass breaks, the tape holds the pieces together instead of letting them move. Keep the tape on the glass only, never on the frame or the artwork. If the piece is glazed with acrylic (often called Plexiglas) instead of glass, skip the tape, since adhesive can mark acrylic.
Add cardboard or foam corner protectors to all four corners. Wrap the frame in bubble wrap, then place it in a sturdy box sized so there is room for cushioning all around. For anything valuable, double boxing is worth it: a snug inner box placed inside a larger outer box with padding between the two.
How should you ship a stretched canvas?
Protect the painted surface first, then add something rigid over the face. A stretched canvas has no glass, but its surface is soft enough to be dented or punctured.
Cover the front with glassine, a smooth, moisture-resistant paper used by framers and conservators. Do not let bubble wrap touch the paint directly. In a hot truck, it can stick to the surface or leave an imprint. Over the glassine, place a piece of foam board or corrugated cardboard cut to the size of the canvas. Then add corner protectors, wrap and box it like a framed piece.
Timing matters for oil paintings. Oils can feel dry to the touch while still being soft underneath. If a piece was finished recently, ask the artist how long it needs before it is safe to wrap.
What is the best way to ship unframed prints and photographs?
Small flat works travel best sandwiched between two pieces of stiff board, and larger works can be rolled into a tube.
For flat shipping, slip the print into an acid-free sleeve and place it between two boards slightly larger than the print. Tape the boards together at the edges, not over the artwork. A rigid mailer works for small prints. Anything larger should go in a box.
For rolling, wrap the print in acid-free tissue and roll it around a tube with the image facing out. A tube at least 3 inches in diameter reduces curling. Avoid rolling photographs with a glossy surface or anything with thick paint, since they can crack.
When should artwork go in a wooden crate?
A crate makes sense for pieces that are large, heavy, high-value or framed with oversized glass. A wooden crate resists punctures and stacking pressure far better than cardboard, and it shows the carrier that the piece was packed with care if you ever need to file a claim.
How much shipping coverage can you get for artwork?
Carriers limit how much they will pay for art, no matter how much it is worth. FedEx’s published terms, for example, cap the declared value for artwork, limited-edition prints and collector’s items at $1,000 per package. Declared value is the maximum the carrier will pay if a package is lost or damaged, and it is not the same as insurance.
For pieces worth more than a carrier’s limit, ask about third-party fine art insurance or a specialized art shipper. Whatever the value, photograph the piece before packing and keep the receipt or appraisal.
Why use a Notary Newport Beach shipping counter for art?
We pack art with the materials it needs and compare carriers on price and coverage before you ship. You only need to bring the artwork.
Ready to ship your artwork?
Safe art shipping comes down to protecting the glass, the corners and the surface, then choosing coverage that matches the piece. Bring your framed art, canvas or print to our Notary Newport Beach location at 2618 San Miguel Drive, and we will pack it properly and send it on its way.
