How to Transport Fine Art: 6 Tips to Ensure Safety

As lovers of antiques and fine art, we have often found ourselves compelled to buy these items when visiting a different part of the world. We try to transport the art carefully we have so recently fallen for back to our base when this happens. 

Fine art is tricky when packing and transporting because of the delicate materials. Today, we are sharing some tips for safely transporting fine art.

1. Using Bubble Wrap and Bubble Wrap Sheets

Use the bubble sheets to wrap the art and outfit the inside of the box with bubble wrap to ensure that the art is protected. Be sure not to wrap the art in the bubble wrap sheets too tightly. If the art starts to look wrinkled and your bubble wrap is too tight, take the bubble wrap off and start again.

When you are ready to place your fine art in the box, make sure that it is lying parallel to or at an angle to the top of the box. This will prevent the art from sliding around in the box.

2. Packing with Sturdy Boxes

As with all sorts of different things in life, you get what you pay for. If you want to ensure that your art is transported safely, you need to invest in the right box. Take your time to research the best types of containers, how to pack them, and how to place them in the truck.

3. Getting Made-to-Measure Crates

If you are shipping or storing your art regularly, you may want to consider having some crates made to your exact dimensions. These crates are sturdy enough to protect the art and are very space-efficient when storing. If you are holding the boxes in your basement or attic, you should place the crates on their side.

4. Reinforcing with Tape

Tape is your best friend when it comes to packing. You can use tape to reinforce your art boxes’ corners and ensure that any weak spots are covered. The last thing you want to happen is for your artwork to arrive in a million pieces.

5. Don’t Stack Artwork

Since your art will be in transit for an extended time, it is best to pack it to ensure that it doesn’t move and damage itself. If you can, separate the pieces of art into different boxes. If this isn’t possible, put some crumpled paper at the bottom of the box to give the art more space.

6. Cushioning

In addition to the bubble wrap sheets and bubble wrap, you will want to create cushions with the foam. You should put the foam between the artwork and the corner of the box to ensure that the corners aren’t damaged. 

You should do the same to the bottom of the box to ensure that the artwork doesn’t jiggle around too much. You can place the art pieces in a box and then a mixture of bubble wrap and foam peanuts. When it comes to transporting fine art, it is best not to take any chances.

Conclusion

The key to safely transporting art is to pack the art properly. If the art is packed properly, there is no reason for it not to get to your destination in one unbroken piece. 

1 Stop Pack N Ship is Montgomery County’s premier packaging and shipping center, serving the Washington DC area since 1984. We are your one-stop packing and shipping company and offer various solutions based on the item, budget, destination, and time frame. We provide customized packaging and crating for your parcels with pick-up, packing, and shipping to anywhere in the world in a matter of days. If you need fine art moving services, we’ve got you covered! Get in touch with us today and let us know how we can help!