Last update: 14 Jun, 2024

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In this article Learn how to pack an artwork by yourself to make sure it will be delivered undamaged and secure.

I need help with packaging

During the selling process, if you don’t want to pack an artwork before the delivery, you can ask for help. In this case, our verified partner will carry the packaging before the delivery. To ask for help with packaging:

We will contact you to schedule the packaging and the delivery once a buyer orders artwork. Until then, you can relax.

Sell artwork page • Where to find packaging options

Sell artwork page • Where to find packaging options

Packaging methods

If you decide to pack the artwork yourself, it is crucial to package it correctly, in accordance with its dimensions, and to ensure it is not damaged during transportation. There are two main packaging methods to ensure artwork safety:

We also recommend you use specific packaging materials. They will provide good protection and not damage your artwork during delivery. Those are:

Untitled

Reinforced envelope

Unmounted painting

  1. Be gentle, try to avoid touching the artwork with your hands;
  2. Wrap the artwork in acid-free tissue paper. To avoid excess moisture, wrap the artwork with plastic;
  3. Secure the artwork to a strong backing material. To do that, hold four pieces of acid-free tissue paper into triangles with one side open, then place the triangles on each corner of the work;
  4. Mount your wrapped piece with tape to sturdy cardboard or foam core. Tape only on the paper corners you made in the previous step;
  5. Place a few layers of cardboard on both sides of the secured artwork;
  6. Tape these pieces together;
  7. Finally, take two pieces of corrugated cardboard, place your secured artwork between them and securely tape all sides;
  8. Place your secured artwork in a reinforced envelope of the appropriate size. Mark the envelope as “FRAGILE”;
  9. Alternatively, if your artwork needs further protection or doesn’t fit into a reinforced envelope, you can use a wooden crate (see guidance on wooden crates below) instead of a reinforced envelope. Mark the box as “FRAGILE”.

Mounted painting

  1. Wrap the artwork with acid-free tissue paper;
  2. Wrap the artwork in bubble wrap, ensuring good coverage on the corners since they are most susceptible to damage during transportation;
  3. Place your artwork into a reinforced envelope. Mark the envelope as “FRAGILE”;
  4. If the artwork doesn’t fit into a reinforced envelope, build a wooden crate (see guidance on wooden crates below) that can fit the piece with 7-8cm of space available on all sides of the frame;
  5. Place a layer of foam or your packaging material of choice in the box, creating a layer to rest the frame on;
  6. Pack all open areas surrounding the artwork with packing material. The tighter the fit, the safer the artwork will be;
  7. Mark the box as “FRAGILE”.

To pack a sculpture

  1. Unroll the bubble wrap and place it ONLY around the upper half of the sculpture two times. Cut the bubble wrap and secure it with tape;
  2. Protect the top of the sculpture with an additional layer of bubble wrap. Secure it with tape;
  3. Wrap the bubble wrap around the bottom half of the sculpture two times. Make sure to overlap the bubble wrap slightly in the middle of the sculpture. Cut the bubble wrap and secure it with tape around the middle where the two pieces overlap;
  4. Protect the bottom of the sculpture with an additional layer of bubble wrap. Secure it with tape;
  5. Fill the wooden crate (see guidance on wooden crates below) about one-third of the way with shredded paper;
  6. Set the sculpture down in the middle of shredded paper;
  7. Fill the remainder of the box with shredded paper;
  8. Make sure you securely pack the shredded paper around the sculpture so no movement is possible during shipment;
  9. Seal the closed box with tape;
  10. Mark the box as “FRAGILE”.

Custom wooden crate

Use a custom wooden crate for large-sized paintings or very fragile artworks

  1. Wrap the artwork with acid-free tissue paper;
  2. Assemble the frame of the wooden crate by screwing the hardwood strips together to fit the perimeter of your artwork, leaving the top strip unscrewed for now. The hardwood strips should be just wide enough to accommodate the depth of your artwork, plus a sheet of bubble wrap on each side. The frame should be large enough to easily place the artwork inside it, but not so large that the artwork won't be secure during transportation.
  3. Make sure that the top piece of the frame fits over the top edges of the side strips. This piece will be unscrewed to remove the artwork once it arrives at its destination;
  4. Cut two sheets of masonite board to fit the front and back of the frame (including the top strip, which is not yet attached);
  5. Secure one sheet of masonite board to the back of the frame using wood glue and screws;
  6. Line the frame with a piece of bubble wrap and place your artwork inside. There should not be any room for it to move inside the frame. Cover it with another sheet of bubble wrap (on top of the glassine paper);
  7. Place the other sheet of masonite board on top of the frame, securing well with wood glue and screws. It should be airtight so moisture cannot get inside;
  8. Mark the top board of the frame "OPEN HERE." Screw it tightly into place on the frame;
  9. Mark the box as “FRAGILE”.

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