shipping framed art can be a daunting task, whether it’s for personal or professional reasons. There’s always the fear of damage to the artwork, the frame, or the glass during transit. However, with careful planning and proper packaging, you can ensure that your framed art arrives at its destination safely. Here are some tips and tricks to help you ship framed art without any mishaps.
1. Choose the Right Carrier
The carrier you choose to ship your artwork can make a big difference in its safe arrival. It’s essential to select a reputable and reliable shipping company such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL. They offer insurance and tracking services which guarantee your artwork’s safety and arrival time. Also, before choosing a carrier, ensure that they have the necessary equipment to handle fragile items. You don’t want your artwork to be crushed or damaged during the loading and unloading process.
2. Secure the Frame
The frame is the primary protector of the artwork. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that it’s secure and sturdy before shipping. The best way to do this is by adding extra padding around the frame. You can use bubble wrap or foam padding and tape it securely around the frame. This will protect the corners and edges of the frame from any knocks or bumps during transit.
3. Protect the Glass
The glass in a framed art piece is the most susceptible to damage during shipping. However, there are several ways to protect it. First, make sure you tape the glass with painter’s tape or masking tape in a diagonal direction to hold chips and cracks in place.
Another option is to cover the glass with an adhesive film. This film is specifically designed to protect the glass and ensure it doesn’t shatter or break during transit. Make sure you remove the film once the artwork arrives at its destination.
4. Create a Custom Box
Instead of using a standard delivery box for your framed art, it’s best to create a custom-sized box that will adequately fit and protect your artwork. You can make the box yourself using sturdy cardboard or purchase one from a packing store. When creating the box, ensure that there’s enough space around the artwork to add padding. Mark the box with “fragile” and “this side up” to ensure that the handlers take extra care when loading and unloading the package.
5. Add a Backup Plan
Even with all the precautions, sometimes accidents still happen. Therefore, it’s essential to have a backup plan in case anything goes wrong during transit. This backup plan could include insurance and tracking services, making duplicates, or having the artwork scanned before shipping.
Insurance is an essential aspect of shipping framed art, especially if the piece is expensive. The shipping company will cover any damages that occur during transit if you have insurance. However, ensure that you read the terms and conditions of the insurance policy before making a claim.
If the artwork is for professional purposes, you can consider making duplicates or scanning the artwork before shipping. This ensures that you still have a copy of the artwork if anything happens during shipping.
6. Keep a Record
It’s essential to keep a record of your artwork’s transit to ensure that you can track its progress and know when it’s expected to arrive at its destination. You can use the shipping company’s online tracking system to monitor your artwork’s journey and receive notifications along the way. Also, keep a copy of the tracking number, receipt, and any other shipping documents.
In conclusion, shipping framed art requires careful planning and attention to detail. The frame, glass, and artwork must be adequately protected to ensure their safe arrival. Selecting the right carrier, creating a custom box, and adding a backup plan will guarantee the artwork’s safety and give you peace of mind during transit. By following these tips and tricks, you can confidently ship framed art from one place to another without any mishaps.