These days, it’s easier than ever to set up an online store and sell your artworks to customers all over the world. Independent creative entrepreneurs are seeing more success than ever before, which is why the demand for high-quality art packaging and shipping is steadily increasing.
It’s important shipping artwork in a way that keeps it safely protected from scratches, creases, or other damage that may occur during transit.
You want your customers to receive your artwork in the way it was originally intended: professional, organized, and of course, all in one piece. Here’s how to package art for shipping artworks all over as well as a list of items you can use to boost your packing game.
Art Packing Essentials Every Artist Should Own
Now, depending on the nature of your artwork, you’re going to need access to different packing supplies. The kind of supplies you’d need as a ceramic artist will greatly differ from those needed by a painter, and then there are the sort of things it’s useful for every type of artist to own.
When it comes to shipping artworks to customers either locally or internationally, this list contains everything you may need to do so successfully. Who knows, some of these things may already be in your stationery cupboard!
- Bubble wrap
- High quality envelopes and paper
- Postal tubes
- Cardboard boxes
- Acid-free art tape
- Fragile Stickers
- String
- Shipping labels
How To Pack Different Types Of Art For Shipping
Your art product will determine the supplies and style in which you package it for shipping. Fortunately, we’ve created a list specifically for this purpose. If you’re new to the online order-and-delivery side of artistic entrepreneurship, you’ve come to the right place.
1. Framed paintings and canvases
This is one of the most common types of artworks that get ordered for shipping. You’ll need bubble wrap, artist’s tape, cling film, and thick brown paper. First, start by cushioning the four corners of your painting with bubble wrap. Secure it with tape if needed. Just be sure not to tape the actual painting.
Then wrap the entirety of your artwork with bubble wrap, as though it was a Christmas present. From there you can wrap once more thick brown paper and secure it tightly with tape.
2. Sculptures
Sculptures vary greatly in size, texture, and level of fragility. But even if your artwork is small and relatively thick (i.e. not highly fragile), you should still take the utmost precaution with packing it.
First, you’ll want to cut out some smaller pieces of bubble wrap and work them around any nooks and crannies on your sculpture. You want to cover any parts that jut out or could be vulnerable to snagging and breaking. Then give it a final full-body covering of bubble wrap and gently place it in a box.
The closer the box is in size to the sculpture, the better. Fill any gaps with Styrofoam peanuts or a similar packaging material to keep everything securely in place.
3. Ceramicware
Wrapping ceramicware is similar to wrapping sculptures, but there are a few important distinctions to bear in mind. For example, if you are packing a set of dinner plates, you’ll want to place a layer or two of bubble wrap in between each one. This will prevent them from shifting around and breaking.
Then, take some tape and bind them together for minimal transit movements. Once that’s done, simply place them in a similarly sized box and fill it with newspaper or other soft packaging material.
4. Prints and posters
If your prints are A5 or smaller, you might be able to get away with simply wrapping them neatly and sliding them as is into a thick brown envelope. However, if your poster or print is bigger than that or you are particularly worried about it bending or creasing along the way, a postal tube is the way to go.
With a postal tube, all you need to do is roll your artwork up lengthwise and slide it into the plastic cylinder. These are generally safe to courier as they are. Your customer may have to weigh the artwork down to get it straightened out, but as a fairly standard packaging method, this shouldn’t be a problem.
5. Jewelry
Jewelry is one of the easiest types of artwork to package. While it may be a fragile type of item, its typically small size makes it easy to wrap up in a way that is much safer than larger objects.
First, you might want to consider obtaining some original small boxes or bags to add to the excitement of unwrapping. They are easy to come by and generally quite affordable, yet the visual impact they have is significant. Then simply place the jewelry in a small cardboard box and label it as you would any package.
Best Companies To Use For Locally And Internationally Shipping Artwork
If you’re new to the process of shipping artworks you might be a little overwhelmed by all the freighting company options. Here are some of the highest recommended art shipping companies for long and short-distance transportation.
- FedEx – If you’re still working up a client base or don’t have a big spending budget, there’s nothing wrong with opting for a courier company that doesn’t specialize in art. FedEx is affordable and accessible, with high satisfaction ratings.
- Craters and Freighters – If your work is on the delicate or on the unusually-sized end of the spectrum, go with a flexible company like this one. They offer options for shipping artworks that are tailored to your exact needs.
- DHL Express – If a lot of your customers live outside of the US, go for an internationally compatible freighter like DHL Express. They have over 50 years of experience shipping artworks between the US and other countries, and they provide fast delivery options.
Insurance Requirements For Shipping Artwork In The US And Beyond
Getting your artworks insured is essential if you want to establish a legitimate, lasting customer base. Transport insurance protects you and your customers from losing money should the artwork get damaged, lost, or stolen during transit.
In order to qualify for insurance, you need:
- A valuation of your artwork (its net worth: how much should the refund be in the event of breakage, loss, or theft?)
- Clean, clearly labeled artworks to avoid loss and support identification
- Proof of payment
It’s that simple. Most shipping and courier companies will offer insurance options with their services, but you should always enquire to make sure.
Tips For Maximizing Customer Satisfaction
Being mindful about how you package your creative wares shows customers you’re a passionate professional. But you’ll also need to ensure that the entire sales process is smooth and seamless and that your customers are wholly satisfied by the experience.
You can do this by paying attention to these details:
- Make the sales process seamless – When you’re selling art online you’ll need a professional platform and sales system. Your customers will expect to receive a proper invoice that includes shipping and all other costs. You can make this process easier by utilizing an invoice template that’s pre-populated with the fields you’ll need to fill in. This ensures that no details get left out and that your customers have a proper paper trail for payment and shipping. It also allows you to keep more concise records and to have concrete sales proof should the need to claim from insurance arise.
- Get the customer's address right – Having the correct shipping address is critical. A small typo can send your package in completely the wrong direction. You’ll need your customer's full name and a residential or work delivery address where someone can sign for the package. The address must include the street name and number (and building name/suite/apartment number if relevant) as well as the city, state, and zip code. If you’re shipping internationally, you’ll need to include the full address, local zip or postcode and the country. It’s always a good idea to include a return to sender address too, as well as your customer's contact number and your own.
- Provide a tracking number for the package – Always use a freight company that provides the option to track your artwork during transit. This will be of huge value to both you and your customers. As soon as your package is collected for shipping, you can supply the customer with the tracking number so they can keep tabs on the delivery. Not only can they monitor the progress of the parcel, but this also builds trust and provides an official channel for contact, should the parcel go missing, get damaged, or not arrive as specified.
- At the end of the day, the visual component of your packing methods doesn’t matter half as much as the practical component. These tips are here to serve as guidelines for how to safely package your beloved artistic creations. But feel free to use your artistic license so long as there’s a reason why.
FAQ
Q: How much does shipping artworks cost?
A: Depending hugely on the size, weight, and travel distance of your artwork, the average shipping cost of a single package is between $10 and $30. However, you may be able to reduce these costs by using smaller freight companies and keeping travel distances short.
Q: How do I safely ship my glass-framed artwork?
A: You can avoid shattering the glass by taping a large ‘X’ shape over the surface of the glass. That way, at least if the glass does break, it will not splinter and tear your artwork.
Q: What is the best way to ship my art?
A: With a trusted, experienced shipping or courier company. You don’t want to risk going with a company that has poor reviews. Choose one that comes recommended by other artists you know.
Q: How do I start selling and shipping artwork online?
A: Make art, create an account on a selling platform, and find a courier for shipping artwork to customers. Well, there are a few more steps than that. But if you get confused, Emily and Blair is a great resource for information and support for budding artist entrepreneurs.
