Updated: 14 Aug 2026 Article is available in Ukrainian: Як запакувати твір мистецтва?

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<aside> <img src="/icons/user-circle_lightgray.svg" alt="/icons/user-circle_lightgray.svg" width="40px" /> Available for Artist Expert Owner/Buyer

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<aside> <img src="/icons/copy_lightgray.svg" alt="/icons/copy_lightgray.svg" width="40px" /> Related articles Sell your artwork Re-sell owned artwork

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Important: read before packing

Follow the instructions to avoid issues with couriers or damaged deliveries.

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List of Materials & Where to Buy

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☝🏼First, define what packaging to use

Key Parameter What packaging to use? Artwork
Unmounted
No rigid base or wooden support ↗️ Reinforced Envelope Painting, Drawing, Photography, Print etc.
Mounted (<120cm)
Stretched canvas, or rigid base. ↗️ Cardboard with corner protection Painting, Drawing, Photography, Print etc.
Large artwork
Artwork with longer side exceeding 120cm ↗️ Tube Painting, Drawing, Photography, Print etc.
Three-dimensional art form ↗️ Box in box (Double box) Sculpture, Vase, Ceramic etc.

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1️⃣ Reinforced envelope

Use this packaging for two-dimensional artworks <40cm on longer side, without any rigid support: wooden, plastic etc.

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Materials you need:

  1. Reinforced envelope - example
  2. Tissue Paper - example
  3. Plastic Wrap - example
  4. Sticker “Fragile” - example

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How to pack?

  1. Do not touch the surface with bare hands — avoid direct contact with the artwork.
  2. Protect the surface: place a sheet of acid-free paper over the painted side, then wrap with plastic film for moisture protection
  3. Secure to a base: attach the wrapped artwork to a rigid piece of cardboard, wrap with plastic film if needed
  4. Envelope: insert into a reinforced envelope of the appropriate size, label with "FRAGILE" stickers </aside>

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Remember: packaging must be compact, tight, sufficiently protected, but no larger than 40 cm.

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2️⃣ Cardboard with corner protection

Use this packaging for two-dimensional artworks <120cm on longer side, with any rigid support: wooden, plastic, stretched canvas etc.

Example of corner protection and the final packaging.

Example of corner protection and the final packaging.

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Materials you need:

  1. Tissue Paper - example
  2. Plastic Wrap - example
  3. Cardboard Corners - example
  4. Corrugated Cardboard - example
  5. Packaging Tape - example
  6. Sticker “Fragile” - example

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How to Pack?

  1. Place a sheet of tissue paper over the painted surface.
  2. Add a few layers of plastic wrap.
  3. Place corner protectors on all 4 corners.
  4. Wrap with corrugated cardboard or bubble wrap — it absorbs external impacts.
  5. Tape tightly along the entire perimeter.
  6. Place in a box sized to fit the artwork and label "FRAGILE". </aside>

3️⃣ Tube

Use this packaging for two-dimensional artworks >120cm on longer side. Artworks mounted on rigid support have to be disassembled and packed in one tube, so the buyer can reassemble it independently upon receipt.

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Materials you need:

  1. Tube - (the tube can be cardboard, but large sizes are hard to find — a plastic pipe works as a substitute) example
  2. Tissue paper - example
  3. Plastic Wrap - example
  4. Foam - example
  5. Packaging Tape - example
  6. Sticker “Fragile” - example

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How to pack?

  1. Make sure the paint is completely dry before packing.
  2. Remove staples/tacks: using a staple remover or small flathead prybar, extract the staples from the back of the stretcher bars, then carefully remove the canvas from the bars, starting from the corners, without damaging the edges.
  3. Disassemble the stretcher bars into individual slats.
  4. Pack the slats: wrap each slat individually in plastic wrap, then wrap all slats tightly together so they don't move or scratch the canvas.
  5. Round out the shape of the slat bundle: the slats form a rectangular cross-section — fill the gaps between them with pieces of foam or styrofoam until the bundle is circular.
  6. Roll the canvas around the bundle: painted side facing out. Rolling it inward will cause the paint to crack. Do not roll too tightly.
  7. Place a sheet of tissue paper between the painted surface and the wrap before wrapping.
  8. Wrap the outside with a layer of plastic wrap.
  9. Place in the tube: fill the empty ends with foam or styrofoam so the contents don't shift.
  10. Pack separate elements (hardware, hooks, wedges) tightly and place in the tube separately so they cannot damage the canvas.
  11. Close the tube with caps, seal with tape, label "FRAGILE". </aside>

4️⃣ Double box

Use this packaging for three-dimensional artworks, such as sculpture, vase, ceramic etc.

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List of Materials. How do they look, and where to buy?

Here we provide direct links to the materials to purchase. Use them as a reference or buy directly there. Make sure that dimensions and amount meet the needs for your specific case.

Surface protection materials

Rigid materials

Packaging / boxes