How to Pack and Ship Framed Artwork

The best way to ship artwork is to remove it from the frame, roll it and place in a sturdy shipping tube, and ship the frame and glass separately in a box. However, this is not always possible, so it can be useful to know how to pack and ship framed artwork so that it arrives safely at its destination.

The main problem with shipping framed paintings, posters, prints and other artwork is that they are usually covered with glass, which can crack or break even when packed with all possible precautions. For this reason, it is generally recommended that the glass be removed and packed separately. If this is not possible, cover the glass with surface protection tape and double box the artwork to ensure it is is protected from crushing, accidental drops, moisture, sudden temperature changes and other hazards.

To properly pack and ship framed artwork, you will need self-adhesive surface protection tape, foam or corrugated cardboard corners, bubble wrap, packing peanuts or crumpled paper, waterproof heavy-duty packing tape, and two sturdy corrugated cardboard boxes, one smaller and one larger.

The smaller box should fit your artwork and cushioning materials (generally a clearance of 2 inches on all sides and edges of the frame is recommended), and the larger box should fit the smaller one. Both boxes, especially the outer box, must be new, as used boxes can be unreliable, even if they look like they’re in good condition.

Apply surface protection tape to the entire surface of the glass. This tape is specifically designed to cover glass: it does not leave a sticky residue when removed. For this reason, ordinary packing tape is not a good alternative. Remember that the tape will not necessarily protect the glass from breaking, but if the glass does break, the tape will hold the shards in place and protect the artwork from scratches, punctures and tears.

Cover the entire frame with at least three layers of bubble wrap, making sure the bubbles face inwards and the corners are completely covered. Seal the bubble wrap with packing tape and protect the corners with foam or corrugated cardboard.

Fill the bottom of the smaller box with about 2 inches of packing peanuts or crumpled paper. Place the artwork in the box and fill the remaining space with more packing peanuts or crumpled paper. Seal the box and place it inside the second box. If there is any space left in the outer box, fill it with more crumpled paper or packing peanuts.

Seal the outer box, securing all seams and corners with packing tape. Shake and squeeze the box gently to make sure the contents don’t shift. And don’t forget to affix a “fragile” sticker to the package to let the carrier know that it needs to be handled with care.

If your artwork is worth more than $100 (standard coverage included in the shipping cost) and it’s imperative that it arrives safely, pay for additional insurance. Of course, insurance does not guarantee safe arrival, but it does guarantee that you will be reimbursed if something happens to your package during transit.

And if you’re not sure that you’ll be able to pack your artwork properly, look for shipping carriers that offer Pack & Ship guarantee: your package will be packed by a professional according to the carrier’s guidelines, and you’ll be fully reimbursed if anything happens to it.