There are many risks to transporting fine art and sculptures. We’ve previously described some steps you can take to manage this risk, including documenting the condition of every piece you transport, and using expert fine art logistics services.
In this post we’ll take a closer look at how you can protect fine art when it’s in transit through choosing the right packaging materials. We’ll also cover some best practice techniques for packing your art and sculptures for transit.
If you are planning to transport items from your art collection, specialist high net worth insurance can cover you for any damage, theft, or other losses. For more information, call us on 0208 290 9086, or email personal@anthonyjones.com.
An Essential Introduction to Fine Art Packaging Materials
- Bubble wrap has always been a popular choice for packing fine art and sculptures. It’s affordable, flexible, versatile, and very easy to work with. However, if you want a sustainable alternative, consider using wool wrap instead.
- Corner protectors – usually simple pieces of cardboard – can help prevent paintings from warping or scoring in transit.
- Use acid-free paper to wrap any pieces you want to transport. It can protect pieces from air, water, and grease, and it can also absorb some of the shock if the piece is knocked or shaken during transport. And as it’s PH neutral, you don’t need to worry about any chemical reactions with your valuable artwork.
- Use specialist packing tape to secure your packaging. Not only is it the strongest and most reliable tape for transit, but it can also be trusted to provide secure seams that will protect your artwork from moisture.
- Use layers of corrugated cardboard for added protection in transit.
- Sturdy wooden crates are much more reliable than cardboard boxes.
How to Pack Unframed Paintings For Transit: Step by Step
- Wear gloves – ideally white cotton – to protect the artwork from your fingers.
- First wrap the artwork in acid-free paper. Carefully secure this in place with packing tape.
- Next wrap the piece in bubble wrap or wool wrap. Again, secure this in place with packing tape.
- Add your corner protectors.
- Place a layer of corrugated cardboard above and below the painting. Tape the two pieces of cardboard together on all sides.
- Place this wrapped painting in a sturdy wooden crate and fill any gaps in the crate with additional cardboard if need be.
- If you’re transporting multiple paintings in one crate, repeat this process for every painting, and place a layer of cardboard between each painting you’re shipping.
How to Pack Framed Paintings for Transit
- Follow all of the steps above but take particular care with your corner protectors. Frames can be highly vulnerable to damage.
- There should be at least three inches of space available on each side of your framed painting during transit. This will allow you to fill any empty spaces with extra packing material, so you can guarantee that no parts of the frame will come into contact with the crate or box.
- As a result of this, you may need a bigger box to transport a framed painting than you would to transport an unframed painting.
How to Pack a Sculpture for Transit
- For maximum protection, wrap the top half of your sculpture separately from the bottom half.
- First wrap the top half. Use at least two layers of bubble wrap or wool wrap and secure it with specialist packing tape.
- Next wrap the bottom half. Again use at least two layers of bubble wrap or wool wrap, secured with specialist packing tape. Make sure to overlap your wrapping a little in the middle.
- Add a couple of further layers of wrap to the middle part of your sculpture, to ensure there are no loose ends in your wrapping.
- Don’t forget to secure the top and the base of your sculpture too.
- Fill about a third of a sturdy wooden box with packing material, such as shredded paper or packing chips. Put your wrapped sculpture in the middle, then fill up the rest of the space around it with your chosen packing material.
- Put a FRAGILE sticker on the outside of the box.
Get Specialist Insurance Cover For Your Fine Art
Careful packing can protect your fine art and sculptures from many of the risks associated with transport. But accidents can happen! And there will always be the risk that your pieces will be lost in transit – or even stolen.
If you are planning to transport items from your art collection, specialist high net worth insurance can cover you for any damage, theft, or other losses. For more information, call us on 0208 290 9086, or email personal@anthonyjones.com.
