6 Tips for Shipping Paintings

Maybe it will hang in someone’s front hall. Maybe it will be in a home’s hallway or TV room. A piece of art helps any space feel more interesting and comfortable. There’s just one problem. You need to ship paintings to get them there, and this means you’ve got to prepare paintings for shipping.

While this process may seem intimidating, we recommend you take things step by step. Consult galleries or painters themselves with how to ship properly if you’re nervous at all. Here’s a rundown of the process for you to familiarize yourself with hos to prepare paintings for shipping:

1. Size the painting that you’ll be shipping. You’ll want to use a box that gives is ample space on each side as well as above and below. We have requirements when we ship for the buffer that’s needed depending on size of the artwork.
2. Look at dimensional weight requirements as well to assess the volume of the painting. This will vary. Ordinary shippers have both size and dimensional weight restrictions, which is one reason why shipping companies like PPlus exist. We can ship paintings worldwide on parameters that give you an opportunity to ship artwork safely.
3. Palette wrap is crucial. This is a type of plastic wrap that protects the surface of paintings and their frames from damage. Make sure to pull it tightly as you go, starting from the back and then wrapping around the front.
4. Use an inner box that’s only slightly larger than the painting to make sure it’s secure and protected from damage. This might not be so much a box as a wrapping of cardboard around the painting. Ensure the cardboard is large enough to wrap around the front without pushing a box edge against the surface. Tape the inner box shut, making sure the tape only touches the box and not the painting or frame.
5. Wrap this inner box with bubble wrap. Wrap until you’re at the dimensions of the outer box you’ll use. It’s OK to go overboard with bubble wrap, but make sure there’s an easy way to undo it so the recipient won’t risk damaging the painting when they take it off.
6. Slide it all into the outer box. Include an invoice, business card, or return address slip. Then tape the outer box shut. Tape it thoroughly but cleanly. Apply fragile stickers and make sure, of course, that you include a return address.

This covers many paintings, but doesn’t cover glass. Glass requires its own considerations. Treat this list as a primer – there are a lot of little details and nuances that will make this process even safer. Consult an expert, and ask us if you need help with the shipping details or any further advice.