Your $5000 painting will be worth nothing if during shipping it gets destroyed. From water to humidity and hard impacts, anything can damage it leaving it beyond repair. Besides, we all know paintings are the one commodity that if destroyed, can never be restored to its original glory. The frame is equally as important as the painting in the middle.
The good news is, if you want to ship a painting such as pastels, water colors or rolled canvases, you have come to the right place. The process on how to ship canvas art is pretty easy.
We will tell you the right way of how to ship a canvas with a glass frame as well. First of all, let’s look at the basic items you will need for creating the perfect package.
Supplies You Will Need
- Plastic wrap
- Glassine paper
- Bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Knife
- Cardboard box
- Cardboard sheet
- Pair of scissors
- Packing peanuts (optional)
Let’s begin, shall we:
- The first order of business is to measure the dimensions of the painting with the wooden frame. Then get the next size up in a shipping box.
- Lay down the plastic wrap and place your painting face down it. Stretch it from two corners and tape them at the back. The next step is a little bit tricky: you need to stretch the remaining two corners as tightly as possible so the front doesn’t have any bunches. Secure them with the tape and then nick the corners with a knife to let the painting breathe.
- Wrap the painting with glassine paper and fashion out corners from it, so the painting corners slide right in.
- Take the cardboard sheet and fashion a box out of it. Place the painting in the middle and then tape the sides by pinching them together.
- Use the bubble wrap twice around the cardboard sheet box and secure it with the tape.
- Finally, slide the wrapped painting in the cardboard and tape down the lids.
Note: If there is still space left in the cardboard box and you see your painting shaking a little loose, then stuff the empty space with packing peanuts. Often people ask the question: How to ship a large painting? Well the answer is do the same… follow these steps and use packing peanuts to create a cushion.
- For extra protection, use a tape gun to get a hold on the tension while taping. Start from one end and then make your way to the order. Make sure the tape is not applied haphazardly or the receiver might get frustrated while opening the box and accidentally damage the painting.
Shipping Glass Art
Shipping glass art follows the same steps, except before applying the plastic wrap, the painting is wrapped in masking tape. If the glass does break, the shards will stick to the tape and prevent the painting from getting scratched. If you’re shipping over fragile glass valuables, check out our post on how to ship fine china here.
And this is how you pack your painting for shipping. Don’t forget to get insurance for it as well!