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How to Ship Artwork Safely: Packing, Carriers, and Insurance
Ship artwork without damage. Packing techniques for paintings, sculptures, and prints. Compare carriers, understand insurance, and handle international shipping.
Ship artwork without damage. Packing techniques for paintings, sculptures, and prints. Compare carriers, understand insurance, and handle international shipping.
Shipping artwork is where online sales, gallery relationships, and commissions become real. Poor packing destroys work, damages relationships, and costs money. Professional packing protects your art and your reputation.
This guide covers packing techniques by artwork type, carrier selection, insurance, and international shipping considerations.
Quick Answer
| Carrier | Best For | Max Insurance | Cost Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS | Large boxes, heavy items | $50,000 | High |
| FedEx | Fast delivery, reliability | $50,000 | High |
| USPS | Small items, prints | $5,000 | Low-Medium |
| Art shippers (Masterpak, UOVO) | High-value, fragile | Custom | Very High |
| Freight (ABF, Old Dominion) | Very large, crated | Varies | Medium for size |
Stock these supplies before you need them:
Document condition
Protect the surface
Wrap in bubble wrap
Add cardboard protection
Box selection
Final packing
Framed work with glass needs extra care:
Works on paper are delicate but pack relatively simply:
Interleaving
Protection
Tubes (for larger prints)
Flat mailers
Three-dimensional work requires custom solutions:
| Material | Key Concerns | Packing Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic/Glass | Fragile, shatters | Custom foam, double-box |
| Metal | Weight, surface scratching | Bubble wrap, pad protruding parts |
| Wood | Dings, humidity | Wrap completely, climate control |
| Mixed media | Multiple fragilities | Address each material separately |
| Large/Heavy | Handling damage | Build crate, consider freight |
For valuable or complex sculpture:
Pros: Reliable tracking, good large package handling, insurance up to $50K Cons: Expensive, size limits Best for: Medium to large paintings, valuable work
Pros: Fast options, reliable, good insurance Cons: Expensive, strict package requirements Best for: Time-sensitive shipments, reliability priority
Pros: Affordable, convenient, flat-rate options Cons: Lower insurance caps, less reliable for large items Best for: Prints, small works, budget-conscious shipping
Companies like Masterpak, UOVO, and Cadogan Tate specialize in art: Pros: White glove service, museum-quality handling, custom solutions Cons: Very expensive Best for: High-value work, museum loans, major collectors
Standard carrier coverage is limited:
For valuable work, consider:
Before shipping:
Shipping abroad adds complexity:
Required documents often include:
How to handle costs:
Determine rates based on your average actual costs.
Keep your inventory, sales, and shipping organized with Artsumé.
Professional shipping protects your work, your reputation, and your sales relationships. Invest in proper materials, pack for worst-case handling, insure valuable work, and document everything.
The cost of proper shipping materials is far less than one damaged artwork.
Need to track your inventory and shipments? Create your free Artsumé profile to manage your art career professionally.
Last updated: January 2025
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