Art Business Info. for Artists
  • Home
    • Art Business Information Index
  • NEWS
  • PRACTICE
    • Starting Out - Tips
    • Being a Professional artist >
      • Working Lives of Professional Artists
      • Artists' Side Hustles
      • Artists' Residencies
      • Artists Unions
    • Best Art Business Books
    • Learning Opportunities >
      • Art Schools in the UK
      • Art Business Courses
    • Image Management for Artists >
      • How to photograph art
      • How To Scan Artwork
      • How to back up image files
    • Law for Artists >
      • Legal Matters
      • Data Protection for Art and Artists
      • Brexit Guidance for Art and Artists
    • Business Management for Artists >
      • Risk Management for Artists
      • How to spot Art Scams / Fraud
      • Life in an Art Market Recession
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 and Art
  • MARKETING
    • How to write an Artist's Statement >
      • What is an Artist Statement?
      • Why you need an Artist's Statement
      • TIPS How to write an artist statement
      • The Language of an Artist's Statement
      • What an artist statement should contain
      • Examples of Artists Statements
    • How to write an Artist's Resume or CV >
      • Social Media summaries
      • CV for Artists
      • Resume for Artists
      • Biography for Artists
    • How to sign a painting, drawing or fine art print
    • Business Cards for Artists
    • How to write a press release for an artist
    • The Private View Invitation
    • Publicity for Juried Exhibitions
    • Websites for Artists >
      • Why websites matter
      • Options for Websites
      • Web content for Artists
      • Web design for artists
      • Keeping Google Happy
      • Writing for the Web
    • Image & Video sizes for Social Media Sites
    • How to be mobile-friendly
  • SELL ART
    • Trading Law & Regulations for Artists (UK)
    • E-commerce for artists
    • Art Exhibitions & Competitions >
      • Juried Exhibitions & Art Competitions
      • Juried Art Exhibition Checklist for Artists
      • How to cost a juried exhibition entry
      • How to make labels for an art exhibition
    • A Guide to Art Agents and Consultants
    • A Guide to Art Dealers & Galleries >
      • How to find the right gallery
    • The Artist-run Gallery
    • The Vanity Gallery
    • Art Fairs
    • Alternative Options for Exhibitions
    • How to Sell Art from Home
    • Open Studios
  • FRAME ART
    • List of Recommended Picture Framers
    • Conservation Products
    • Framing for open exhibitions and art competitions
    • Framing Videos
    • How to hang a picture
  • SHIP ART
    • How to pack artwork >
      • How to pack and ship pastel paintings
    • Packaging materials
    • How to ship art internationally >
      • Rules of Origin
      • Export Licences for Cultural Goods
    • How to ship art to exhibitions
    • How to mail art - Post & Parcel Services
    • UK & Ireland: Art Transport Services
    • USA Art Transport Services
  • COPYRIGHT
    • Copyright and artists' rights
    • BASICS: Copyright Infringement and Fair Use
    • How to protect artwork online
    • How to do a reverse image search
    • What to do about copyright infringement - for artists
    • Global Conventions on copyright >
      • Copyright in the UK
      • Copyright in the USA
      • Copyright in Canada
      • Copyright in Australia
  • MONEY & TAX
    • How to work out profit from an art sale
    • How to Price Your Art >
      • How important is price when buying art?
      • Options for Pricing Art
      • Terminology and Formulas for Pricing Art
      • Art Experts on Pricing Art
      • How artists price their art
      • The price of affordable art
    • Payments to Artists >
      • Paying Artists
      • How to create an Invoice
    • VAT for Artists
    • Tax Tips for Artists >
      • Tax on prize money
      • UK Tax Tips for Artists
      • UK: Self-Assessment Video Tips
      • USA Tax Tips for Artists
      • Ireland: Tax for Artists
      • Australia: Tax Tips for Artists
    • Insurance for Art and Artists >
      • Insurance for Art Teachers
      • UK Insurance Policies for art and artists
      • USA & Canada: Insurance Policies for Art and Artists
    • Artists' Grants & Scholarships
    • Retirement and Pensions for Artists
    • The Art Legacy >
      • Estate Planning for Artists
      • Estate Planning for Art Collectors
      • Famous Artists Estates
      • Artwork Inventory
      • After the Death of an Artist
      • Copyright and Resale Rights after Death
      • Art and Inheritance Tax
  • About + Help
    • Would you like me to help?
    • Privacy & Cookies Policy
    • Contact

How to ship art to exhibitions

Find out about the answers to frequently asked questions about shipping art to exhibitions - organised by art galleries, art societies and art competitions.

​TIPS: Also included are tips from 
  • artists about packing for - and shipping to - art exhibitions
  • art societies and art competitions about shipping to their open exhibitions
Suggested art couriers and transport agents for artwork for shipping art to the juried exhibitions of art societies and art competitions can be found in
  • UK ART movers, couriers and shippers
  • USA ART movers, couriers and shippers​

If you are shipping art to an art exhibition in another country you almost certainly also need to consult How to ship art internationally re. Customs and documentation required.
Taking delivery of artworks re. Stage Two judging of the John Moores Painting Prize | copyright Katherine Lloyd
Delivering artwork to Stage Two judging of the John Moores Painting Prize | copyright Katherine Lloyd

Shipping art to exhibitions: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's a "Handling Fee" and what does this fee cover?
A: Handling fees are standard and charged by many major exhibits in the country. The reality is that most galleries simply do not have the storage space nor the staff to handle lots of artwork before or after an exhibition.
  • Fees tend to directly to the cartage company which unpacks the artwork, stores the box, delivers the painting to the gallery, retrieves them from the gallery, and repacks them for shipping back to the artists.
  • Some exhibitions require artists to pay this fee. This is sometimes paid direct to the cartage company.
  • Note that not all cartage companies offer an unpacking and packing service.

Q. Do exhibition organisers provide information about shipping my artwork?
A: They should do. Well organised exhibition hosts will post detailed information and instructions about shipping your artwork after the selected artists have been notified.
  • This may come with the selection notice and is often also repeated on the relevant website.
  • Make sure you read ALL the small print at least twice!
​
Q. Which shipping company is the best one to use for shipping fine art?
A: Selecting a courier/shipper is an important decision. Research the terms, conditions and tariffs - and read the small print. Ask your fellow artists what shipping company they use and which they recommend and which ones they've had bad experiences with.
There is no one right decision - it depends on:
  • where you're located,
  • where the exhibition is located and
  • the precise requirements for drop-off and pick-up.
See also UK Art Shippers, Movers & Couriers​ and USA Art Shippers, Movers & Couriers

Q. When should I send my artwork for the exhibition?
A: Exhibition organisers generally give you
  • either a precise date
  • or a "window" of acceptable shipping and receiving dates.
It depends on the gallery and receiving arrangements. Be sure to research shipping methods early, so you will be prepared if the shipping window is a short one and/or a precise date for receipt.

Q. On average, what does it cost to ship my artwork to an exhibition?
A: Costis are determined by two components:
  1. moving the shipping carton and
  2. packing and unpacking the artwork at either or both ends.
You need to be clear what service you want before you ask for a quote.

Everybody lives in a different place, destinations are different and what you are sending is different. Consequently it can be very misleading to quote an 'average price'. It is also impossible to determine the average because shipping costs are based on the size of the box, its weight and the shipping distance. Insuring your work - during transit and while at an exhibition - will also add to your costs.

Bear in mind a lot of art competitions will only accept unpacked artwork and will not store packaging.
  • Make sure you do some advance research before you are notified that your work has been accepted.
  • Do be prepared to seek multiple quotes for the cost of shipping or couriering artwork
  • You may incur additional costs if you have a professional mailing service pack and ship your piece and unpack at the other end, store the packing materials and then ship back to you
  • Look for couriers who are prepared to provide example quotes for defined work moving from A to B. That's the best indicator of cost.

Q. What information does the carrier need to know to provide a quotation?
A. This will vary from firm to firm. Before you start asking for quotes you need to be clear about the following:
  • Post/zip code of pick-up point
  • Post/zip code of destination address
  • what size the shipment is - in three dimensions  (height | width | depth)
  • what weight the shipment is 
  • how fragile the shipment is
  • whether the services of the carrier are required for packing, unpacking and/or storage of packing materials
  • whether storage is required at any point

Be clear when the quotation is asked for/provided whether or not tax is included. Also clarify whether there are any minimum charges.

Q. What type of container will best protect my artwork during shipping?
A: A number of national art societies and exhibitions in the USA recommend using an Airfloat reusable shipping box (see links to website on this page). These boxes are made especially for the transportation of fine art.
​
Taping all the edges with extra clear or beige shipping tape will help your box last longer and protect it during shipping.

Q. What is the most common damage done to artwork when it is being shipped?
A: The most common problem happens when the artwork has not been secured properly to the mat prior to framing. During shipping, the artwork shifts and the painting may drop behind the mat.
  • Remind your framer that the artwork is being shipped. Ask them to use strong hinges to secure your work and, if necessary, put a piece of masking tape at the bottom of your piece to prevent it from falling down behind the mat.
  • Other problems can occur when frames have not been assembled properly or secured tightly in the corners. This can mean that the Plexiglas or glass becomes loosen and may smash and damage your artwork.

Q. What do I need to think about if shipping work internationally?
A. See my page about How to ship art internationally

The above started from a very useful FAQs page developed from the advice provided by the CPSA to artists selected for its annual exhibition - and has become much developed since

CASE STUDY: why you need to pay attention to the paperwork
​

I had a scare when my large framed watercolor disappeared on the return trip (from an exhibition).

After six months I requested that the organization trace it. Their records showed all artwork had been returned.

In fact, my painting had made it to UPS in my city but instead of delivering it to me they returned it to the art shipper in California, where it languished in the warehouse.

It was returned with a broken frame, dented mat, and cracked Plexiglas. UPS Paid for reframing but they never explained what had happened. It must’ve fallen off the truck somewhere. I was lucky that my daughter’s portrait wasn’t damaged.

Lesson learned—keep all the paperwork in case you have to submit a claim!
This was told to me by American artist and art teacher Nita Leland ​- in a comment on my Facebook Page 


How to transport an RHS portfolio
​

International artists wanting to exhibit at the Botanical Art Show of the Royal Horticultural Society face a particular challenge. 

The exhibits have often taken two years or more to produce and exhibitors are very keen to ensure they suffer no damage during transit - from all over the UK - and the world.  They often also have to manage the transit on their own - so need ways of making this easy.

All the images below show you the paintings as they were displayed at the show and then how they went home again - to Yorkshire, Japan, the Netherlands and the USA!
How to get your art exhibit there and back - safe and secure - my blog post highlights five different ways that botanical artists attending an exhibition got
  • exhibits of a minimum of six (framed and unframed) artworks
  • plus all associated display captions
  • plus prints and cards
  • to and from the RHS Lindley Hall - in cars and trains - from around the UK and on planes from around the world!
Picture
Best Botanical Art Exhibit: ‘Wild Roses in Japan’ by Michie Yamada (Japan)
Picture
Two Japanese exhibitors (left) one with a conventional reinforced cardboard pack and (right) Michie Yamada - the best exhibit winner - going home with her artwork in a box on wheels
Picture
Bridget Gillespie GM won another RHS Gold Medal for " A year in the Yorkshire Hedgerow"
Picture
Skateboard wheels attached to the bottom
Picture
Bridget with her Gillespie Handmade Special Box on Wheels
Picture
Esmee Winkel GM - with her gold medal winning display of watercolour paintings of Bee Orchids
Picture
Esmee Winkel (Netherlands) with her exhibit packed up in an artist's hardback portfolio and a backpack!
Picture
Lara Call Gastinger GM - a Gold Medal winning display of 12 watercolour paintings of "Seeing Plants; a year in Virginia"
Picture
Dismantling the exhibit - extracted from photo sleeves; removed from mount and backing board; all paintings inserted into a photo sleeve - and then into the tailor-made box
Picture
Tailor-made box is just big enough for paintings - in a photo sleeve - and go in hand luggage

Tips from Artists
​

REFERENCE:  Tips from Artists re. shipping to art exhibitions 
  • How do I ship art to exhibitions | Arrachme Art - practical and informative article about tips and pitfalls
  • Sketchbook Squirrel: The Big Move - before I could think about wrapping, was to ensure all the submission criteria had been adhered too. Labels, swing tags, fixings, hanging cord or wire? There is a lot to get right when submitting to exhibitions and then there is the form
REFERENCE - Packing for Exhibitions
  • How To Package Works | Kirsty Hall - Having packaged up loads of works as a curator, I'd strongly recommend that artists include a sheet of packing directions, especially if there are any special requirements for repacking the work. 
  • Documentation for SHIPPING Art and Craft by Harriete Estel Berman - Documentation should accompany your art or craft when shipping to a store, gallery or exhibition. 

Tips from Art Societies

REFERENCE: Shipping to art exhibitions
  • CPSA - FAQs - Exhibitions - includes useful information and tips about shipping to its annual exhibition

Tips from Making A Mark
​

REFERENCE: Art Couriers in the UK
  • Review of Specialist Art Couriers in the UK - this is a 2011 post
  • You now check couriers out on this page of this website - UK Art Movers and Carriers

Articles about shipping valuable fine art around the world
​

more art than ever, worth more money than ever, is travelling more than ever
Andrew Dickson | The Guardian
Blockbuster art exhibitions would not happen unless very valuable fine art moved around the world. It's simply not possible for all paintings to be moved. Some are too fragile. However significant precautions are taken to make sure valuable artwork that is moved is also protected from harm. 

​Art is also purchased at art fairs around the world - and away from home the purchaser has to arrange for it to be moved. 

One unfortunate aspect related to the movement of valuable fine art is it's not uncommon for it to be associated with money laundering.
​REFERENCE - Movement of Fine Art 
  • How to move a masterpiece: the secret business of shipping priceless artworks | The Guardian - a long read about the processes used by fine art collections and museums when shipping art to exhibitions
  • Essential advice for clients buying art - highlights the need to consider insurance as well as appropriate fine art transporters.
  • A single inch results in an $850 shipping penalty from UPS | Boston Globe - why you have to pay very close attention when calculating a package’s total size (total size = height + girth; girth = 2 x width + 2 x length)
A lot of the art bought at auctions goes to freeports – ultra-secure warehouses for the collections of millionaires and billionaires
Art And Money Laundering Why The Global Art Market Needs Regulation

Home
​BACK TO: How to pack, post and ship art
GO TO:
  • How to Pack Artwork
  • Packaging materials
  • How to ship art internationally
  • How to mail art - post and parcel services 
  • UK ART movers, couriers and shippers
  • USA ART movers, couriers and shippers​

ABOUT ART BUSINESS INFO. FOR ARTISTS
This website aims to provide a compendium of resources about the art business for artists. Please read "PLEASE NOTE"

It helps artists learn how to do better at being business-like, marketing and selling their art and looking after their financial security.
  • HOME
  • INDEX
  • PRACTICE
  • MARKETING
  • SELL ART
  • FRAME ART
  • SHIP ART
  • COPYRIGHT
  • MONEY & TAX
  • ​​CAN I HELP?
  • CONTACT ME
Copyright: 2015-2021 Katherine Tyrrell | Making A Mark Publications
​
- all rights reserved
  • About this site 
  • About the Author
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
If you've got any suggestions for what you'd like to see on this website please send me your suggestion
PLEASE NOTE:
1) Content and the law change all the time. It's impossible to keep up with it if you're not working on the topic full time. 
​2) I research topics carefully. However, I am totally unable to warrant that 
ANY and/or ALL information is 
  • complete and/or
  • professional and/or
  • wholly accurate and/or 
  • all links lead to the most current information (at the time of writing)​
​3) Hence all information I provide comes without any LIABILITY whatsoever to you for any choices you make. 
4) This website is FREE FOR YOU but not for me. ​Links to books are Amazon Affiliate links. Buying a book via this website means I get a very small payment which helps to fund and maintain this website. .I much appreciate any support your provide. Adverts are provided by Google AdSense - but the adverts do not mean I endorse the advertiser.
  • Home
    • Art Business Information Index
  • NEWS
  • PRACTICE
    • Starting Out - Tips
    • Being a Professional artist >
      • Working Lives of Professional Artists
      • Artists' Side Hustles
      • Artists' Residencies
      • Artists Unions
    • Best Art Business Books
    • Learning Opportunities >
      • Art Schools in the UK
      • Art Business Courses
    • Image Management for Artists >
      • How to photograph art
      • How To Scan Artwork
      • How to back up image files
    • Law for Artists >
      • Legal Matters
      • Data Protection for Art and Artists
      • Brexit Guidance for Art and Artists
    • Business Management for Artists >
      • Risk Management for Artists
      • How to spot Art Scams / Fraud
      • Life in an Art Market Recession
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 and Art
  • MARKETING
    • How to write an Artist's Statement >
      • What is an Artist Statement?
      • Why you need an Artist's Statement
      • TIPS How to write an artist statement
      • The Language of an Artist's Statement
      • What an artist statement should contain
      • Examples of Artists Statements
    • How to write an Artist's Resume or CV >
      • Social Media summaries
      • CV for Artists
      • Resume for Artists
      • Biography for Artists
    • How to sign a painting, drawing or fine art print
    • Business Cards for Artists
    • How to write a press release for an artist
    • The Private View Invitation
    • Publicity for Juried Exhibitions
    • Websites for Artists >
      • Why websites matter
      • Options for Websites
      • Web content for Artists
      • Web design for artists
      • Keeping Google Happy
      • Writing for the Web
    • Image & Video sizes for Social Media Sites
    • How to be mobile-friendly
  • SELL ART
    • Trading Law & Regulations for Artists (UK)
    • E-commerce for artists
    • Art Exhibitions & Competitions >
      • Juried Exhibitions & Art Competitions
      • Juried Art Exhibition Checklist for Artists
      • How to cost a juried exhibition entry
      • How to make labels for an art exhibition
    • A Guide to Art Agents and Consultants
    • A Guide to Art Dealers & Galleries >
      • How to find the right gallery
    • The Artist-run Gallery
    • The Vanity Gallery
    • Art Fairs
    • Alternative Options for Exhibitions
    • How to Sell Art from Home
    • Open Studios
  • FRAME ART
    • List of Recommended Picture Framers
    • Conservation Products
    • Framing for open exhibitions and art competitions
    • Framing Videos
    • How to hang a picture
  • SHIP ART
    • How to pack artwork >
      • How to pack and ship pastel paintings
    • Packaging materials
    • How to ship art internationally >
      • Rules of Origin
      • Export Licences for Cultural Goods
    • How to ship art to exhibitions
    • How to mail art - Post & Parcel Services
    • UK & Ireland: Art Transport Services
    • USA Art Transport Services
  • COPYRIGHT
    • Copyright and artists' rights
    • BASICS: Copyright Infringement and Fair Use
    • How to protect artwork online
    • How to do a reverse image search
    • What to do about copyright infringement - for artists
    • Global Conventions on copyright >
      • Copyright in the UK
      • Copyright in the USA
      • Copyright in Canada
      • Copyright in Australia
  • MONEY & TAX
    • How to work out profit from an art sale
    • How to Price Your Art >
      • How important is price when buying art?
      • Options for Pricing Art
      • Terminology and Formulas for Pricing Art
      • Art Experts on Pricing Art
      • How artists price their art
      • The price of affordable art
    • Payments to Artists >
      • Paying Artists
      • How to create an Invoice
    • VAT for Artists
    • Tax Tips for Artists >
      • Tax on prize money
      • UK Tax Tips for Artists
      • UK: Self-Assessment Video Tips
      • USA Tax Tips for Artists
      • Ireland: Tax for Artists
      • Australia: Tax Tips for Artists
    • Insurance for Art and Artists >
      • Insurance for Art Teachers
      • UK Insurance Policies for art and artists
      • USA & Canada: Insurance Policies for Art and Artists
    • Artists' Grants & Scholarships
    • Retirement and Pensions for Artists
    • The Art Legacy >
      • Estate Planning for Artists
      • Estate Planning for Art Collectors
      • Famous Artists Estates
      • Artwork Inventory
      • After the Death of an Artist
      • Copyright and Resale Rights after Death
      • Art and Inheritance Tax
  • About + Help
    • Would you like me to help?
    • Privacy & Cookies Policy
    • Contact