Last Updated on September 15, 2023 by Packoi Team
You don’t just ship art in any packaging. It’s a fragile piece that needs the utmost protection – not just from scratches but even from moisture and uncontrollable temperature fluctuations.
If you’re searching for the right art shipping boxes, read on. In this article, we’ll focus on creating boxes that can protect the integrity of fragile paintings and other artworks.
About Shipping Valuable Artwork
The ultimate goal of shipping a package is to make sure it gets to the intended destination in one piece and with zero damage. This is where it gets complicated when you ship art pieces like a painting. You don’t want to mess up what artists have created. This is why the pressure to find the right box packaging for shipping is high. There’s a lot at stake to deliver the package securely because you have to think about the rough handling, changing temperature, and even the moisture.
Depending on what type of art is being shipped, you have to consider the best way it should be packaged and positioned to minimize the potential damage to it. For instance, what’s the best way to ship flat paintings? How can you pack it so the frames, glass, prints, and artwork are all protected?
Packing valuable artwork requires a shipping box that’s not just built to protect. It has to preserve the integrity of the art that you’re sending out.
5 Must-Haves for High-Quality Shipping Boxes for Artworks
What qualities should your shipping boxes possess so they can effectively protect the painting that you want to deliver? There are certain things that boxes should have so they can ship your package carefully. The more fragile the artwork is, the more you have to ensure that the packaging for shipping can protect it.
To help you choose the right box, here are 5 must-haves that your art shipping box should have.
Durability
All shipping boxes have to be durable enough to protect the item it’s delivering. What does that mean for shipping artworks and paintings?
First of all, the packaging for shipping art will have to be made of sturdy material to shield against any external force that it encounters while in transit. The best materials to use include corrugated cardboard or wooden crates. Using paper board won’t suffice even if you put padding in it so it’s best to go for the thicker ones.
Perfect Sizing
The size of the shipping boxes will also matter. Packing art must be done in a container that’s not too big or too small. If it’s too big, you’ll be using too much cushion and the item is still in danger of being jostled about. If it’s too small, you might not have sufficient space to put padding. The package won’t have enough protection against rough handling and transport.
This is why most artists would choose customized boxes so they’ll fit the pieces of art perfectly.
Cushions and Paddings
We’ve mentioned having enough space for cushions and padding because this is an important part of packing art. You can call it a non-negotiable when it comes to the shipping needs of paintings and artworks.
Choose the right material for the cushion and padding. This additional layer in the boxes will protect the painting further. You can use bubble wrap or foam to ensure that the glass on the painting won’t crack.
Reliable Closures
Since keeping the art package secure and protected is vital, choose art shipping boxes that have a reliable closure on them. Whether it’s a box with double-walled flaps or adhesive strips to close or even interlocking mechanisms, make sure it won’t open accidentally. You don’t want the bottom of the box to give way while it’s being carried around the ship or plane – or even while it’s being transferred from one vehicle to another.
You can even combine the closures to ensure maximum security.
Temp-Protection and Moisture Resistant
It’s hard to gauge the temperature that the package will go through while it’s being sent out. This is why when you’re planning to ship art, you have to choose a box that can protect the painting from humidity, fluctuating temperatures, and moisture.
So if you need packaging for shipping watercolor painting, the box should have built-in packets to control humidity.
How to Choose The Right Shipping Box for Paintings
The best way to choose the right shipping boxes to ship art is to scrutinize what the painting needs. You need to consider what type of painting was used. How fragile is the frame that holds the artwork? What is the perfect size to ship it?
These are crucial questions that need to be answered for you to choose the right box. Since paintings are flat, there’s no standard size for them. You’ll most likely have to create custom boxes.
It’s best to talk to a packaging supplier so you can get your options. You can also look at shipping companies because they might have packaging options to ship art. They can enlighten you and inform you of what the package will go through if you decide to ship with them.
Here are other tips that can help you pick the right packaging for shipping.
Think about the Journey Ahead
Consider the journey that the art package will go through. Will it travel by land, sea, or air? How many times will it be handled? The destination and the shipping company can influence the shipping needs of the painting. Don’t forget that you need to protect the frames, glass, and prints on the artwork. Make sure the shipping company can make it happen and your box should provide the first layer of protection.
Try to think ahead and foresee any issues that might be encountered. Mitigate these risks to minimize losses.
Consider the Rules and Regulations
If you’ve settled on a shipping company, read their rules and regulations to ship art. What type of packaging for shipping is deemed appropriate for your painting? You should also consider how they position paintings. Is it shipped flat or upright? These will help you decide on what box is appropriate.
You should also look at international shipping laws about shipping art. What paper documents are needed? What prints are required on the box? This will also help you get ready to meet financial obligations like shipping costs, taxes, and other import/export requirements.
Put the Right Markings and Labels
While you have no control over how shipping boxes are handled, you can put the right markings and labels on them so the handlers can treat them with extra care. Have the right prints on it like “Fragile” or “Handle with Care” so the box won’t be thrown around.
Make these markings clear and print them in a visible area. This will communicate the delicate and fragile nature of the painting inside the box.
Don’t Forget the Unboxing Experience
While you’re busy protecting the painting while it’s being shipped, there’s one thing that you should keep in mind. You’re not just packaging for shipping. You’re also packaging the painting for the unboxing experience.
This is the culmination of the whole thing. All the effort you’ve taken to protect the product and keep it safe is for the big reveal. Make sure the packing is done well so the recipient will get a full show when they unbox the painting.
3 Ways to Pack Paintings Securely
At this point, you know that the best way to ship art is to choose the right packing materials and understand what the package will go through while being delivered. This will help you pick the right packaging for shipping art pieces.
Once you’re ready to pack them, here are 3 things that you have to remember.
Pick the Right Box Size and Orientation
Start by choosing the right size for your shipping boxes. Consider the product and take the cushions and padding into consideration. You’re looking for a snug fit – not a tight one. You want it to be immobile without putting any pressure on the art piece.
Wrap the Artworks
After choosing the size of the packaging for shipping, wrap the artwork first. Use acid-free paper to ensure that it won’t damage the paint used. The paper should protect the glass of the frame from getting smudged or scratched. A layer of glassine might be a good idea here.
Once you’ve wrapped it in paper, add some bubble wrap as added protection.
Add Enough Cushions
After wrapping the package, it’s time to add the cushion. You can put air pillows or foam. If you want to be sustainable about it, use biodegradable packing peanuts. These are made from starch and won’t harm the environment.
Put enough of these cushions to fill the art shipping boxes so there’s zero movement inside the packaging.
Make Sure Your Art Piece is Shipped in A Secure Box. Packoi Printing Produces Durable Customized Shipping Boxes.
Finding the right art shipping boxes is crucial to the protection and security of your painting. You have to choose the right material, size, and printing on the box to ensure that it’ll be handled well by the shipping company. It’s also important to understand what the package will go through while in transit.
If you need to see options when it comes to art shipping boxes, Packoi Printing has several shipping box samples to show you.
Give us a call so we can talk about your options. We’ll get back to you with a fair quote as soon as possible.
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