How To Package and Ship Artwork Effectively
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Prepare to pack and ship your art like a professional and boost your art business
Making artwork is one thing, but packaging your artwork for shipping is a whole separate area of expertise! If you can execute this successfully, you will have made an incredible impact on your customers’ unboxing experience. And with shipping materials not having to cost you very much, it’s very possible to create a special experience for your art buyers even if you’re on a tight budget. Opening a package can make any day feel like Christmas morning, so you should aim to make this moment special to your buyers so they want to return for more.
Let’s not get wrapped up in excitement and forget your artwork has to arrive at its destination in one piece; that is probably the most important aspect above all! The last thing you want is your precious, thoughtfully crafted artwork picking up some avoidable damage that will disappoint both you and the customer.
Ready to pack and ship your artwork like a pro? We’ll guide you through everything you need to know before sending off your first parcel.
Why is packaging your artwork important?
Packaging is an important part of keeping your artwork safe while shipping. As well, creating enjoyable unboxing experiences and increasing the perceived value of your art pieces can greatly influence whether or not a customer will return to purchase your work in the future. Packaging deserves your full attention in an art business, here’s why:
Unboxing is a special experience
Don’t you always feel special when you receive a well wrapped present? Parcels can give you that same feeling. Your artistic talent may come as a gift and here you have the chance to give this gift, physically, to someone else. Make it count; try adding personal touches, like a hand written thank you note, mini sticker sheet in your art style and a business card (don’t forget those!). Resist the urge to go overboard however. You want to add little elements that make the package feel special but are still resourceful and within your budget.
Bad packaging can cause damage to your artwork
Knowing how to package your art safely for shipping or transport is really important not only for your art, but for you as an artist. It represents someone who takes great care of their work from beginning to end.
It’s also safe to assume the artwork you’ll be sending resulted from a lot of time and effort to reach it’s completed stage, something you applied all your creative love into. Show that artwork the same level of care when you prepare it for its new owner!
Here at Dark Yellow Dot, we’ve hosted many exhibitions so far which featured talented artists at the beginning of their careers from all over the world. And although we work with some incredible artists, sometimes the packaging it arrives in can actually be damaging to the artwork itself. Sloppy packing and storage can cause damage to the work before it’s even had it’s time to shine on the walls.
Quality packaging improves the perceived value of your artwork
Packing your artwork properly is important because quality artwork deserves quality packaging. A luxury brand, for example, will almost always use the highest quality packaging for their product because it adds to the experience and the value that the receiver will place upon their item.
We expect this quality packaging from a high-end, expensive company, but what about those times a smaller business has gone the extra mile with your items packaging? Suddenly, your perceived value of the product has increased. In essence, good quality packaging equals a happy customer experience and a good reputation for your art business.
Art packaging supplies
Down below you’ll find our list of shipping and packing materials that will help protect your artwork for shipping and transport. You can find most items at your local post office, art supply store or on Amazon. Keep in mind if you are ordering items online, you’ll be paying for shipping which you’ll need to account for when pricing your artwork and determining your own shipping costs. It’s usually more cost effective (and environmentally friendly) to buy locally wherever possible.
General Supplies
Basic packaging supplies that you may find useful are listed below. Keep in mind, if you prefer specialty items they may be pricier and you should consider all costs before agreeing to ship your work.
Bubble wrap – Make sure never to let the bubble wrap touch the painting. You won’t be the first artist who found imprints of the ‘bubbles’ onto your varnish or paint layer. Buy it at Jacksons.
Protective foam – A useful replacement for bubble wrap
Newsprint or brown paper – Easily recyclable and useful for other craft activities.
Acid free tissue paper – Particularly important for 2D prints and photos.
Protective foam sheets – Definitely important for placing on top of glass glazing.
Packing Peanuts – Rainbow ones are fun!
Masking Tape & Cellotape – Found at any stationary shop.
Fragile Stickers & Tape – You want the couriers to handle your work with care.
Clear Cellophane Pouches – Get the eco-friendly version made from potato starch!
Frame protectors – You can get corner pieces or ones that stretch the whole side of your frame.
Padded envelopes – For small prints or canvases.
Non-fold envelopes – For works on paper that need extra protection.
Twine – useful for tying cute bows on your Christmas presents too!
Corrugated cardboard – The stuff big boxes are made of, not the stuff shoe boxes are made of. I often keep the large boxes my canvas or frames come in and re-use them for shipping paintings.
Picture frame corners – Buy at Jacksons.
Frame protectors – Buy at Jacksons. Or use pipe insulation from a DIY store.
Handy Wrap – Useful transparent foil that sticks to itself to secure frame protectors
Stiffy Bags – Great extra strong bubble wrap bags for art, also reusable. Buy here.
Biyomap – Reusable art storage and shipping bags. Buy at Jacksons.
Airfloat boxes – US only. Foam padded boxes. Buy here.
Environmentally And Budget Friendly Packaging
Wherever possible, it’s a good idea to start getting into eco-friendly habits, especially when you may end up packaging and sending a lot of art over time. It just so happens that this advice can also help accommodate your budget, which is always an important factor for smaller businesses. Help your wallet and the planet by adopting some of the tips below when packaging your artwork for shipping:
Reuse and recycle – That new set of paintbrushes you bought online? Keep the cardboard packaging! You can send off your next print in that.
Replace plastic use – Clean white bed linens work really well in place of plastic sheets.
Use your paper – Use old newspapers, large brown lunch bags or parchment paper instead of brand new newsprint or brown packing paper.
Reusing odd parts – Got a box that has a split bottom? Reuse the parts that are still intact and make them into frame protectors for the corners of your work.
Keep your bubble wrap – Wherever that bubble wrap you have lying around came from, it’s useful! Hold onto it and wrap your fragile art inside.
Use your student discount – This one is for the art students. It’s worth investigating if your favourite stationary store offers any discounts for you, it can make a massive difference long term to recurring costs such as packaging materials.
Honey chrome extension – Not in education? Not to worry! Honey finds the best deals and discounts for you whilst you’re browsing.
Buy in bulk – I know we’ve said be conscious of ‘overdoing it’, but buying in bulk can really help the costs if you know you’re going to use everything you buy.
Limit your trips to the post office – Try dedicating a couple days to be your ‘shipping days’ and making a post office trip. This saves fuel (if you need to drive), time and energy. It’s also good practice to have a routine you stick to!
Ask a friend for a favour – Running a little business alongside making the actual art can be tough, so don’t be afraid to lean on friends and family if you need help in the packaging and shipping department.
Packaging Prints, Posters, Drawings, Illustrations And other 2D artworks
With 2D items such as prints, your priority is to keep them from creasing or bending whilst also being lightweight. Increased weight in packages results in higher shipping fees for you, the artist, which is what we want to avoid.
1) Firstly, try not to get dirty fingerprints over the surface of the art, especially if it has a glossy finish. You could even wear some white gloves if you want to be extra secure.
2) Lay the 2D piece between some tissue paper, securing the pieces together with some tape.
3) Either side of the paper, secure the print inside with another layer of something more sturdy, like foam board.
4) Pop the artwork into a sturdy envelope type package, similar to the slim cardboard packages Amazon uses.
5) You could use a ‘Do Not Bend’ label on the outside to let couriers know how to handle your parcel.
Sending prints in a mailing tube
For larger 2D pieces (bigger than A3), it could be a better idea to use cardboard tubes to avoid accidental bending damage.
1) Using brown paper to protect the print, gently roll it up and slide it into an appropriately sized tube.
2) Stuff the excess space with tissue paper so the print doesn’t move around inside.
3) Secure the plastic cap on the end with tape.
Tip: Buy lightweight tubes for cheaper shipping, and make sure you check the weight before heading to your post office.
Packaging Framed Pieces And Paintings
These guidelines are based around a larger frame or painting. For smaller items, it may not be necessary to include all the steps. However, with the protection of your art in mind, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
1) Again, it’s good practice to use white gloves to keep your work in the best condition for arrival.
2) The first layer should be acid free tissue paper to protect the work’s surface.
3) If you’re sending more than one piece, separate the paintings with cardboard so they don’t get stuck together.
4) Bubble wrap the paintings or frames and secure with tape. Don’t be afraid to use extra on the glass side of the frame if necessary.
5) Each corner will then need a taped down protective picture frame corner over the top of the bubble wrap.
6) Before tapping the corners to a layer of cardboard on either side, feel free to add more protection through foam board.
7) The outer layer should be corrugated cardboard, with a ‘fragile’ sticker clearly visible on the packaging box ready for shipment. You can get large flat packed boxes from amazon, or you can literally go into any grocery store or craft store and ask the shelf stocking staff if you can have their boxes from the back, they almost always say yes.
Packaging Sculpture And Other 3D Items
Be mindful that you may need to adapt how you’re packaging based on the item at hand. 3D objects or crafts as delicate and fragile as art sculptures can be very difficult to pack safely and securely, so take your time and consider reaching out to an art courier directly if you need specific help.
1) To begin, consider what the surface of your item is made of. If it’s a delicate material, you want to cover it in acid free tissue paper.
2) Encase the artwork with lots of bubble wrap, securely it firmly with tape as you use each piece. Use your own discretion as to how much you require.
3) Start filling the box you are going to use with shredded paper or packing peanuts. Make sure the box isn’t too big so the sculpture won’t move around in the excess space.
4) With a base of padding made, place the sculpture in the box and fill the surrounding pockets of space with more protective padding.
5) Securely tape up the box, a couple of layers is a good idea, and attach a ‘fragile’ label on the outside.
Art Couriers for UK & International Shipping
You may think sending art in the post is as easy as any other parcel. If only it were that simple!
The courier you decide to go with can depend on what type of artwork you need to send. Your best bet is to do some research and shop around for quotes, which luckily can be done online a lot of the time these days. However, try contacting the provider directly if you’re concerned, as artwork is sometimes included in couriers ‘restricted items’, so it’s always best to check.
Another thing to double check before sending any international parcels are the customs laws of the destination country. You don’t want you or your buyer to come across any unexpected import costs or taxes!
Sending smaller prints and packages
If you’re looking to ship small prints, packages and gift type craft like jewellery within the UK, your local post office is more than capable of carrying this out. RoyalMail are very good for simple shipping like this, offering a range of prices and services to choose from.
We recommend using First Class services and above, for a couple of reasons. It will ensure your item arrives at its destination in the fastest time and although sending Second Class is slightly cheaper, be aware of how longer arrival times may affect the customers overall experience.
Other UK based shipping services include Parcelforce and Hermes. Something to note; Hermes Prohibited Items class any framed paintings or photos as items that carry no protection, so sending will be at the risk of the owner.
UK services you cannot use to send your art include Yodel and Collect+, as they fall under their list of prohibited items.
Sending packages internationally
Packaging your artwork for shipping overseas? We hope you’ve packed it in that parcel safely! The following are some examples of services you can use to get your art to your international customer.
RoyalMail’s international services
A good place to begin looking at, seeing as you’re probably most familiar with them. Their website provides all the details you need on prices, packing advice, checklist, restrictions and delivery option comparisons.
FedEx
FedEx allows the shipment of artwork and even has a page dedicated to explaining how. They do state that their limit of liability only goes up to $1,000 but if you’re sending artwork valued over $500, check out their Premium Art Boxes for extra protection.
DHL Express
This DHL service has a higher limit of $5,000 for valued artwork, but still make sure you check their list of what you can and can’t send before opting for their service.
TNT
TNT (which will soon become FedEx Express) also allows you to post artwork but has its own value limits and classifications depending on what you’re trying to send.
Specialist fine art courier and transport services
If you require something a little more tailored to sending fine art specifically, it may be best to avoid the generic postal services and companies. They may be the cheaper alternative, but you definitely get what you pay for with specialised services. With some research, you’re bound to find some smaller businesses that have specialised experience in packaging artwork for shipping.
Pack & Send
This company have been in the business for 20 years, so they’re well equipped with experience in shipping art to galleries, collectors, dealers and exhibitions across the world. Their website offers a quick ‘start a quote’ process that you can use to get an idea of costs.
Art Business Info
This very helpful website includes a comprehensive list of UK art movers and couriers, giving in depth detail on what to look out for with these businesses, and how to choose the right one. It’s definitely worth a read if you’re set on finding a specialist fine art transport service that knows everything about packaging artwork for shipping.
Room For Improvement?
As with any service or product someone provides, it’s usually a good and beneficial idea to collect customer feedback so you know what you’re doing right and where you could improve. Ask your buyers for feedback on how they received their package and if the delivery process was smooth for them, this way you’ll know if there’s anything you need to change or improve.
You’re bound to pick up on the best processes and techniques as you go along, so don’t worry if you haven’t got it all down right away. Trial and error is probably the most efficient way of improving, along with some solid research before you begin. Packaging and shipping your artwork doesn’t need to be scary. Throughout your journey towards making and selling your art, try to enjoy the fact that someone else wants a piece of your creativity so much that they’re paying for it, that in itself is something to be proud of.
Let us know your experiences with some of these services below, and recommend any ones we may have missed! And now you’re aware of all the tips around packaging artwork for shipping, you’re all set to apply to one of our exhibition open calls. We can’t wait to see what you’ve created!
Also, don’t forget you can always share your art with us! Become the next Artist of The Month or tag us on Instagram @darkyellowdot.
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Need More Advice?
ARTICLES TO HELP:
London’s Best Picture Framing Services
Tips For Selling Your Art Online
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What Courier Should I Use – Artfinder
Art Business Info. For Artists
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Packaging Artwork For Shipping Made Easy
