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Shipping Art Successfully – Here’s how it’s done

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Shipping art such as paintings is equally difficult as shipping delicate antique items. Say, your paintings have been finally accepted to be showcased in an art gallery but the exhibition is in Paris. You now need to pack your paintings individually, so that they don’t rub against each other and get damaged.

As a struggling artist, it can be hard to bear the cost of packaging. The cost of shipping any kind of artwork depends on its weight, which means you cannot wrap the painting in layers of wraps and boxes or you will be paying extra.

Depending on how you want the art delivered, there are two types of packaging you can do: One for shipping art that is ‘ready to hang’ and the other where you remove the stretcher bars and roll the painting into a tube.

Shipping ‘Ready to Hang’ Art

Paintings that are ready to hang and have glass over them must be double wrapped to protect the glass from breaking. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Customize a cardboard sheet into a wrapped box according to the size of the painting
  • Place the painting on the sheet and use a cutter to make light cuts along the edges of the painting
  • Wrap the painting in plastic and secure the ends at the back
  • To protect the glass, use masking tape that is specially made for holding the painting’s glass together in case of an accidental breakage (if the glass breaks, the shards will stick to the tape and prevent the painting from getting scratched)
  • Place the painting on the sheet and mold the cardboard sheet into a box
  • Secure the corners with heavy duty tape
  • Wrap the painting with bubble wrap
  • Finally, slide this bubble-wrapped painting into the cardboard box

Shipping Rolled Art

Here are the supplies that you will need to pack your art:

  • Bubble wrap
  • Glassine
  • Box cutter and scissors
  • Artist tape
  • PVC or cardboard tube

Note: When choosing a tube for your art, make sure that it is at least 4 inches taller than your painting’s height. As for when the painting is rolled, the tube needs to be 6 inches wider than your artwork’s rolled width. This is because when the painting is rolled, the diameter of the paper is doubled.

Step #1

Lay down the glassine sheets on a surface and spread your painting on it. If the painting is on paper, then the art should be facing up, towards you and if the painting is on fabric, it should be face down on the glassine sheet. Create a thick layer by placing at least two to three sheets with the painting.

Step #2

Align the glassine sheets and start rolling the painting. Remember, the first roll should be the glassine sheet and not the painting. This will prevent the edges from rolling in themselves and tearing.

Step #3

Secure the middle of the roll with artist tape.

Step #4

Place the roll on the bubble wrap and leave a few inches from both ends. Gently roll the bubble paper and secure that too with artist tape.

Step #5

Fold the bubble wrap from the ends and create a cushion for the edges.

Step #6

Slide the roll into the tube and close the top. Wrap this entire tube with tape and label the package.

There you go! Your artwork successfully rolled and packed, and on its way to your exhibition. Bon voyage, art!

Shipping Antiques the Right Way

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Your extended family in France just asked for a family heirloom that they want to display in a wedding. Doesn’t sound that difficult, right? All you need to do is wrap it up and send it to a reliable shipping company. Wrong! Sitting here in the US, you might think that it’s easy but there a lot of things you need to consider before shipping. Mainly – How the packaging should be done.

The heirloom in question, shall we say is a huge glitter globe, one that many have never seen before. We all know how delicate glitter globes are and how a piece of your heart breaks even when a faux one breaks. However, here we are talking about an heirloom that is worth thousands of dollars. So, before you bring out the cardboard boxes and tape, there is one other thing that you need to focus on first:

Insuring Your Antique

Antiques usually require an appraisal, in order to determine that the heirloom in question is worth the money that you have quoted. Once the company has given the word that your antique is one of a kind, you can seek insurance for it from the shipping company. There are various insurance plans such as automobile insurance, dealers insurance, and owners insurance. The insurance gives you a safety net that if the heirloom gets damaged or misplaced during shipping, the company will be responsible for it. They will either pay you back in cash the entire amount or replace it with an equally priced and important antique.

How to Package Antiques

Talking about an antique that has handles attached to, it is one of the most difficult heirlooms to pack. Reason – You cannot overwrap it for extra protection or under-wrap it. The overwrapping will make it difficult for the receiver to open the package and in cutting the layers with a scissor, they might accidentally nick it.

Here are 5 steps on how to package your antique:

  1. Wrap individual parts of the antique with bubble wrap and then wrap the whole antique again with bubble wrap

  2. Find a box that is just a little bit larger than the antique and stuff it with packing peanuts

  3. Place the antique in the middle leaving six inches of space in all directions (make sure that the packing peanuts are stuffed tightly so that the antique does not jostle)

  4. Place a bubble wrap on the top and close the lid. Tape it twice from both sides to make sure that the box does not accidentally open

  5. Paste a sticker on the top and sides that has the following words written in bold letters:

ANTIQUE – HANDLE WITH CARE

In regard to an antique, shipping is the easy part if you have chosen a reliable company. The hard part is packaging, which can be quite time-consuming. If you feel that you don’t have the right materials and the expertise to pack an antique, it is better to ask your shipping company if they provide packing services too.

Shipping China Dishes: A Guide to Ensure Your Valuables Remain Damage-Free

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Packing china isn’t only time consuming, but also a very intensive process. It is time-consuming because each item has to be packed separately and intensive because even the slightest of thud or drop can cause a crack in the beautiful masterpiece. A dinner set with at least 60 pieces will surely get anyone to stress.

But there is no need to worry about the process of shipping and packing doesn’t have to be this hard. To ensure that nothing is damaged or worse, broken during the move, each item must be packed with care. How; this article will tell.

Start with a Clean Space

Before we begin, it is important to know that china is delicate when compared with glass or melamine sets. So when thinking about packing them, always begin with a clean workspace that is free of clutter. The best place is to lay each piece on the floor, get all the essential packing equipment together and then begin. A clean space will help you keep a track of all the pieces to be packed and also eliminate the risk of a fall.

Choose the right box

Next up, choose the right box to be shipped. A box that can easily hold up to 5 kg of weight will be ideal to start working with. One may feel tempted to work with a large carton but experts suggest otherwise. Unless it has been labeled, the chances of a large carton finding its place at the base of other smaller cartons are high. We wouldn’t want that, knowing that too much pressure can cause a crack.

Wrap Each Item Separately

When it comes to wrapping, start by wrapping each item separately also goes for any lids, saucer plates, and bowls. Wrap each item in multiple layers of newspaper or bubble wrap. If your china is white, avoid newspaper as the ink may rub off against it. You can, however, add layers of newspaper once you have covered the surface with bubble wrap. There is only one rule when packing china – be as generous as you can with the wrapping sheets, tape and/or bubble wrap.

Fill voids with packing peanuts

Packing peanuts or scrunched up paper is the best way to ensure that any void spaces between the items are filled up. The poor filling may cause the dishes to crash into or rub against each other. It will also prevent any unwanted shifting or items inside the box. Packing peanuts, foam or scrunched up newspaper must be filled in both bottom and top of the box so that everything inside remains in its place. If you notice any movement or cluttering in the box, it is a sign that more padding is needed as there are some spaces in between the dishes that touch each other.

Pack It Up Nice And Send Off To Be Shipped

Lastly, tape the carton generously. Even when it already comes with a lid or shutting mechanism going overboard with the tape will ensure the contents inside stay damage-proof. Additional layers of tape will ensure it remains packed and doesn’t accidentally open during the move.

Label it (optional)

Indentation is also an important but an optional step. With so many cardboard boxes, the one containing your precious chinaware may find its place at the bottom of the pile. Even when you have layered each item with care, risking its safety with additional pressure and weight on it may cause a crack which is why always label the carton. When labeled, the movers will know where to place it best and prevent any unwanted damage throughout the move.

A Complete Guide on Successful Furniture Shipping

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Furniture shipping through freight is a challenging task since it needs to be handled with utmost caution. To prevent damages during furniture shipping, make sure you follow the top tips mentioned in this guide.

Here are some ways to execute furniture shipping successfully:

Homework

Invest your time and energy in researching about the transport carrier you would hire in order to successfully ship your furniture across the city or country. You should look for a reliable carrier that falls within the grids of your budget range.

Documentation

Regular documentation of your files, receipts and inventory must be executed carefully. Through documentation, you would be able to monitor your stock levels, keep a check of your financial transactions and remain updated on the type and date of the furniture’s shipment. This will also help you keep a note on the customer to whom the furniture is being sold.

Take pictures

Make sure you always take pictures of the condition your furniture is in before the shipping. This will allow you to combat against any false proof that might be the client’s fault but they would be blaming your services for it.

Insurance

In case there is an accident during furniture shipping that may cause damages such as cracks, dents, and marks, insurance would rescue you. In the case of an accident, if your furniture is seriously damaged, you would be able to reap remuneration out of it and won’t have to suffer the loss.

Packaging

A crucial step before furniture shipping is released is the packaging of your furniture. If the packaging is sturdy enough, only then the furniture would be transported to your customers safely. The best way to go about packaging is by:

  • Dismantling the furniture if it is possible
  • Wrapping the furniture up in bubble wraps or Styrofoam to prevent direct collisions
  • Keep furniture in a cushioned box that would is attached with a soft base. This would give the furniture sufficient room as well as protect it from severe damages.

Placement

The ways you place your furniture hold significant importance. If the placement of your furniture is incorrect, it could result in serious damages to your furniture. Appropriate placement of the furniture also determines the room for additional items.

Here is how you should go about the placement of your items before furniture shipping:

  • The bulky load must be placed in first. This allows the withdrawal of furniture when the furniture shipping has been executed to be smooth.
  • Place the chairs and tables upside down. This allows room on top of these items for smaller items to be delivered during furniture shipping.
  • Make sure you cover each and every piece of furniture individually. When the freight is on the move, during furniture shipping, there could be occasional collisions due to speed breakers or sudden brakes. Pre-covered furniture would be secured so even if a bump does cause collision, it wouldn’t leave behind any marks or cracks.
  • Make sure you pick the right professional furniture shipping service that would carry your furniture safely!

The 10 Golden Rules You Must Be Aware Of Before Art Shipping

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f you are one of the talented artists, selling their popularly demanded work of art online, you must acknowledge the golden rules of art shipping.

Let’s take a look at the how to execute art shipping, successfully:

  1. Packing tape: Invest in the best and the most robust packing tape. The tighter and sturdier the packing tape on your art work would be, the more securely it would be sealed. To ensure a successful shipment, you want to make sure the packing tape is strong and well laid out.
  2. Packaging box: If your artwork has to be stored in a box, there must be a soft base over which your artwork must be carefully laid. Art shipping can only be successful when the box has a plush base and sufficient space within.
  3. Art stickers: Before discharging the art shipping, make sure you add large, art-friendly stickers on your art work. This will allow the art to be treated carefully during the shipment. When art shipping is carried out, it is important that those dealing with it avoid bending of the art work.
  4. Packaging materials: Customary packaging materials used to lack sufficient strength in them that would allow the packaging of art work to be robust, such as strings, ties or brown paper. This is why you should always use modern packaging materials since they add a strong seal to the art shipping and prevents it from being accidentally exposed.
  5. Labels: Make sure you add the correct postal labels on top of the packaging to execute art shipping successfully. A lack of consideration to the labels will hinder the successful delivery of your art work to the destined location.
  6. Instructions: If your art shipping carries a return policy, make sure you add informative instructions that would allow successful returns. This can only be possible when you mention the details of your return policies, the instructions on packaging when a customer wants to return the art work and the conditions under which the returns would be accepted.
  7. Personnel information: When releasing an art shipping, it is of immense importance that you attach your personnel information along with the package. This information should include your return address, your full name, your contact number and your email address. In the case of a return or complaint, it would allow your customer to reach out to you.
  8. Organization: It is important to maintain organization of your important documents, files, and receipts when releasing art shipping. This eliminates the chances of confusions and allows you to maintain records.
  9. Insurance: Your art shipping must always be insured. This will allow compensation in case of a mishandling of your fragile product and you would not have to undergo the loss.
  10. Carrier: Make sure you choose the right carrier who is a pro at handling delicate art shipping.

Healthy and Cured Bronze Shipping

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Bronze is one of the toughest metals. It is employed in crafting coins, weaponry, jewels, armors, and sculptures for several centuries. However, this robust metal carries reactive components that have a low tolerance against winds and moisture. Exposure to these elements can plague the bronze.

Bronze shipping is, therefore, a sensitive matter and must be dealt with care. Here is a complete guide through which you can ship bronze without a glitch.

Step One: Understanding the Metal

The first step you must take is to understand the metal’s nature. Bronze is an alloy made with several other metallic components such as zinc and tin. This makes bronze a highly reactive metal that must be tended with care.

Step Two: Types of Corrosion

Bronze has different layers; external and internal. This creates two different types of corrosions in the bronze shipping and they are primarily caused due to air and moisture.

When bronze is exposed to air, it develops patches of blues, greens, blacks, reds and even browns. However, this is easily cleanable and a completely harmless corrosion. The second type of corrosion that occurs due to humidity or moisture is, however, more concerning.

Step Three: Identifying Bronze Disease

Upon exposure to moisture or humidity, bronze shipping can catch what is known as Bronze Disease. This occurs when the external layer of your bronze shipping develops noticeable spots such as flakey green or yellow spots.

This type of corrosion is continual and grows onto the bronze, plaguing it entirely. When bronze shipping is unprotected and exposed to salts in water vapors, it can react severely and catch the bronze disease.

Step Four: Treating Bronze Disease

Disease to your bronze shipping is a grave matter and will affect your reputation amongst the customers negatively. In order to deliver sparkling bronze shipping to your clients, you must treat the bronze disease. This requires knowledge of chemical compounds.

To treat the bronze disease, you must lightly scrub the external surface of the bronze artifact with a tooth brush which will exfoliate the outer surface.

Then, you must prepare a curing agent by applying a paste of sodium sesquicarbonate on the surface. This will help the bronze shipping to reach a neutral pH.

What to do?

Dealing with metals as valuable as bronze is quite complicated and requires sufficient chemical knowledge to handle them properly.

This is why you must allow a professional to deliver the bronze shipping across the city or country as they are bound to be well-acquainted with methods of prevention.

Also, since professionals have been involved in bronze shipping for quite some time, they will make sure the bronze your customer receives is in top notch condition.