A Compendium of Information & Advice about Packing & Transporting Art
How to pack, mail, move or ship paintings, prints and sculpture properly
ON THIS PAGE: How to Ship Art
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about packaging, posting and shipping art - where to find the answer on this website
- 10 Top Tips for Packaging and Shipping Artwork
ON SEPARATE PAGES
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Packing Fine Art
Shipping Fine Art - Rules & Paperwork
to Other Countries and Exhibitions
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Fine Art Transport: Couriers, Movers and Shippers
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Important Notice
This section of my website is NOT a transport service.
It does NOT provide quotations for the transport of art.
It accepts NO LIABILITY re services listed in this section.
It does NOT provide quotations for the transport of art.
It accepts NO LIABILITY re services listed in this section.
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If you want a service and need a quote YOU need to contact an art mover, courier or shipper direct
LISTS of Art Movers, Couriers & Specialist Shippers:
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However I'm always happy to receive recommendations from verified CUSTOMERS of services moving art. (See the form at the end of the transport services pages to offer recommendations).
You should ALWAYS satisfy yourself whether a supplier provides the service you require
based on
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about packaging, posting and shipping art
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Is your knowledge about packaging and shipping art "a big black hole"?
Starting out, I found packaging and shipping artwork one of the most challenging aspects of selling art - particularly when it needs to be sent to another country. I worked hard to find out more about the best ways to pack and ship art - and started making notes! |
I don't have all the answers yet but I have
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If YOU need help with packing and shipping artwork this is the BEST place to start
QUESTIONS artists ask about moving art
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ANSWERS to your questions
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PACKING ART - QUESTIONS
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PACKING ART - ANSWERS
How to pack artwork for shipping
PLUS HOW TO:
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Packaging materials - suitable for shipping art
The pros and cons of different types of packaging
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GETTING ART TO AN EXHIBITION - QUESTIONS
Exhibitions bring a particular challenge when artwork needs to be submitted minus packaging
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EXHIBITION - ANSWERS
How to ship art to exhibitions See also the section on how to pack artwork and packaging materials for tips about reusable materials |
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HOW TO SHIP INTERNATIONALLY - QUESTIONS
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SHIPPING INTERNATIONALLY - ANSWERS
How to ship internationally Information about all the documentation required for international shipping
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My very first serious exhibition 20 years ago was in the USA. I had to learn pretty fast about how to pack art so it arrives safe and sound and which service works best for getting the artwork there by the due date - and the customs documentation and tariff codes required and how to display it so that the package actually got out of Customs and arrived at the Gallery!
Everything went fine - but it was a long wait until I got the confirmation everything had arrived safely!
Since that date I've heard of numerous artists who have messed up on sending their artwork to other countries. It's hugely disappointing to the artists who have invariably made their best efforts - but just didn't get everything right because they'd never ever done it before.
- * The artwork often remains in Customs while the exhibition goes ahead without them!
- * Or the artwork arrives damaged because allowances were not made to what can happen to artwork moving overseas.
- * Or it just disappears......
- Shipping artwork internationally - how to send art to overseas exhibitions and clients
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MAILING ART - QUESTIONS
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MAILING ART - ANSWERS
How to mail art - Post and Parcel Services covers general mail and parcel services for mailing paintings, drawings and prints in the UK and USA |
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MOVING/ COURIERING/ SHIPPING ART - QUESTIONS
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MOVING ART - ANSWERS
UK Art Couriers, Movers & Shippers Two checklists of what you need to do/know first PLUS LISTS of couriers, movers and sippers national and regional + websites & contact details including
USA Art Couriers, Movers & Shippers
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10 TOP TIPS
How to pack paintings, sculpture, works on paper & prints
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It's a fact of life that the worst can and does happen when shipping art.
I know this because it's happened to a number of people I know. I've watched as people have unwrapped parcels to find broken glass everywhere and damage to the artwork. |
My principles for packing and shipping are based on the notion that if you assume the worst will happen and you pack accordingly, then neither you nor your customer will ever be disappointed.
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10 Top Tips for Packaging and Shipping Artwork
REFERENCE:
- Assume your artwork will be dropped - from a height - and pack accordingly
- Movement within packages destroys packaging and artwork - make sure everything is rigid and nothing can move
- Measure carefully - dimensions are really important if you want to get the right size of packaging and avoid paying too much. You also need to be clear which way is up (when shipping sculptures).
- Protect corners - from damage and from being sharp enough to rip through packaging
- Always cushion your artwork on all sides - a foam core sandwich works well
- Sending glass requires the use of special protection to prevent shattered glass from destroying the artwork
- Use waterproof markers for labels and label the addresses for the destination and sender really clearly
- Include extra information about destination address and sender inside the parcel in case of damage
- Make sure the internal package can withstand water - if the external package is left out in the rain or becomes wet e.g. left on a wet doorstep
- Make sure the customs documentation is correctly completed with the right tariff code and placed in a waterproof transparent envelope on the exterior
REFERENCE:
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HOW TO: LISTS OF FINE ART MOVERS, COURIERS & TRANSPORT SERVICES
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