How to ship a painting

[schmearer]

Just joined, so this is long after orig post. But …

Years ago I also lost a painting shipped by UPS; it was packed very well, but got mangled in their conveyor belt and ended up like a pretzel. They did pay full value of the sale price, but were very unpleasant to deal with.

Since then I have been using only FedEx, packing in plywood box with rigid foam around front, back, and all sides of painting, air space between canvas and foam. Takes some effort, but my customers pay a packing and freight charge and are delighted when it arrives so carefully handled. It’s well worth the extra work, pays off in good will. Some tips — insure for full retail value, weigh your packed crate before the truck comes for pick-up (they charge you by weight), and DO NOT mark outside FRAGILE or ART if it is one of a kind fine art. That makes it an easy target for theft. Also, address and return address should NOT contain any art business info like “studio” or “gallery” etc, only name and addresses.

[granddaughter]

Hi –

I have a related question… I need to send a large (2’x3′) painting across the country. It has no retail value, but quite a bit of sentimental value, as my grandmother painted it.

Currently, it’s framed with glass, and the glass has a chip at the bottom corner (over matting).

Should I ship with glass, or remove the glass? The painting is on paper, not canvas, so there is no sturdy frame to it without the glass.

Any helpful tips very welcome!

Thanks,
Mary

[WFMartin]

Most shippers refuse to ship any paintings with glass. Be prepared for that statement from them. That’s the reason so many watercolorists use Plexiglas instead of real glass for framing their work. You can simply not mention the glass to the shippers, but then you take your chances.

The only painting I had ruined was when UPS put a fork lift through the outside, cardboard box, and it dinged the painting enough to crack the paint and put a dent in it.

The problem could have been solved by packing it in an appropriate shipping crate, instead of cardboard. Since then, I have shipped paintings in crates made of Masonite (hardboard), and wood. It costs a lot for the materials, and a fortune to ship, because of the weight, but they arrive at their destination undamaged. I ship Fed Ex. No more UPS for me any more.

wfmartin. My Blog "Creative Realism"...
https://williamfmartin.blogspot.com

[SalzburgBJ]

I know this is a TAD late but I’m sure people are still reading this thread for advice

I documented [URL=http://raspberryh.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-ship-painting.html]how I ship my paintings[/URL] (complete with photos :)), and it has turned out really well… I haven’t had any damaged paintings yet!

Thank you so much for taking the time to document your detailed, step-by-step process. I’m not in the States, so many of these stores are not available, but I can figure out substitutes.
The only caveat I would mention is that – just according to what I’ve heard, DO NOT use styrofoam peanuts if you’re shipping to an art dealer. They hate having to deal with them, as they are constantly un- & re-wrapping art works for shipping.
Just for what it’s worth…. Thanks again!

[Author]

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