Where Can I Buy a Box to Ship Fine Art

Finding the right painting—one that's the correct size, the right price, and the right aesthetic—can exist as simple as stumbling across the perfect piece while you're on vacation or as arduous every bit a month-long marathon of gallery tours.

Every bit a collector, once you observe a piece that speaks to you, the terminal thing you want to do is leave it behind when y'all move. If you're an artist or run a gallery, the concluding thing you desire is to lose a sale because you can't ship the painting to your would-be customer—or worse, for your hard work to arrive damaged.

Whether you're a collector, a curator, or an artist, shipping paintings tin can be complicated and stressful. The primal to shipping paintings safely is to package them properly—and to work with professionals who accept the experience to treat these valuable, highly sentimental items with the care they deserve.

There are several ways to move or ship a single painting or larger collection across the country. The aircraft experts at TSI are here to help. Read our comprehensive painting shipping guide to larn virtually five ways to transport paintings, or jump directly to special considerations and other important tips for aircraft paintings, including step-past-step fine art packing instructions, by clicking the card below.

1. How To Ship Paintings Read near v common means to ship paintings, including pros and cons and when to utilize each method. 2. How Much Does It Cost to Transport Paintings? The cost of shipping your painting depends on what shipping method you cull. 3. Recommended Shipping Method Moving locally or long distance? Find out which shipping method is best for your movement. 4. Special Considerations Paintings are difficult to ship, and each piece volition come with its own unique set of considerations for packing and moving. v. Mistakes to Avoid Go on your painting rubber throughout the moving procedure past avoiding these mistakes. six. How To Pack Paintings Pack your paintings the correct way with our step-by-step instructions.

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one. How To Ship Paintings

No matter how large, one-time, or valuable your artwork is, paintings are delicate and frequently highly sentimental, and that tin can make them stressful to motility or ship—particularly if y'all're relocating long distance. If y'all're moving long-distance and desire to transport your paintings across the country, you have five options:

1. Hire a truck and motion yourself
2. Hire professional person movers
3. Package shipping, such as UPS or FedEx
4. Rideshare or peer-to-peer aircraft
5. Consolidated freight

Allow's take a closer expect at each of these methods:

I. Rent a truck and move yourself

Renting a truck and moving is oftentimes the method of choice for small or brusk-altitude moves. If you don't accept much to motion, aren't moving far, and are physically able to manage the loading and unloading process (with help from friends, family, or employees), this method will likely exist your most affordable choice.

PACKING TIP: Smaller paintings, once wrapped, can exist packed together into a single box. If you practise pack multiple paintings into a single box, exist sure to reinforce the bottom—artwork tin can be heavier than you expect.

If you have infinite in your machine, packing your paintings into your vehicle is the safest way to send artwork during a DIY move. You'll have meliorate temperature command, and you can go along your heart on your artwork throughout the moving process.

Loading paintings onto the moving vehicle

If you don't take space in your vehicle, paintings can exist packed onto your moving truck anywhere they volition fit, as long as they are secure and aren't bailiwick to pressure on either side. Continue your paintings safe during a DIY move past following these tips:

• Always load paintings standing up instead of lying flat. They are much more probable to sustain damage if they are lying apartment.
• If yous can, wedge them between two mattresses, couches, upholstered furniture, or any other large, heavy items that have been properly secured so they won't shift in transit.
• Don't pack paintings in a space where something could fall onto them.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Can be more cost-effective than hiring movers (assuming your painting doesn't sustain damage)	You are entirely responsible for packing and loading your paintings
Your painting remains in your care the entire fourth dimension	Larger paintings can be especially difficult to movement, depending on the size of your moving vehicle
You tin can motion on your timeline	Can be dangerous to pack paintings in the back of a very hot or very common cold truck
	Can be expensive for long-altitude moves, particularly if you lot are moving lots of stuff
	No insurance included

How much does it cost to rent a truck and movement your paintings?

The total cost of a DIY move depends on the size of your rental vehicle and the altitude of your move. You'll pay a 24-hour interval rate based on the size of the vehicle, as well equally mileage and fuel charges, and any additional charges for moving supplies and insurance. If you're moving long-distance, you lot may too demand to pay extra to exit your rented vehicle in a different city than where you lot picked it upward.

• Day rates typically range between $19.99-$29.99 per solar day for a 10'-17' truck, or $29.99-$39.99 for a 20'-26' truck.
• Mileage often ranges between $0.69-$0.79 per mile during the calendar week and upward to $0.99 per mile on weekends and tin can be higher during height moving flavour.

When should I hire a truck and motion my paintings?

• Inexpensive artwork
• Local or brusque-distance moves

II. Hiring professional movers

Professional movers are a pop choice for larger local moves, equally well as for those who can't motility or simply don't desire the hassle of loading and unloading their holding.

Unless you pay for packing services, your professional person moving team likely won't pack your paintings similar they will your other furniture. Be sure to mention your artwork drove when you call for a quote and so they tin can provide an accurate price and suggest yous about packing requirements before they arrive.

If you lot hire professional movers, it may be best to motion your paintings in your vehicle, if possible. The moving truck may not be temperature-controlled, and y'all'll be able to keep a watchful centre over your treasured paintings en route.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Professional person movers know how to handle artwork, and will load it onto the truck properly	Professional movers probable won't pack your paintings, unless you lot pay extra for packing services
No heavy lifting—the pros volition load and unload all of your stuff	Can be plush for long-distance moves
May include professional packing materials for your other household items
Basic insurance is often included

How much does it cost to hire professional person movers?

The American Moving and Storage Association estimates that the average local move costs effectually $2,300, while the boilerplate long-distance move costs nigh $four,300.

The full price of your move will ultimately depend on how much stuff you have and how far you're moving. Some moving companies base their prices more on distance, while others identify more than emphasis on how much stuff you have. If you lot're considering hiring professional movers, always get a quote from at least three moving companies before you commit.

When should I hire professional movers?

• Larger local moves, such as a full household move
• If y'all can't load or unload your belongings but can pack your paintings

Need help shipping art?

Take a look at our fine art aircraft solutions page. Getting a price is like shooting fish in a barrel, elementary and straightforward. Shipping your fine art is safer with TSI.

3. Parcel shipping (FedEx, USPS, UPS)

Packet shipping is provided by familiar services similar USPS, as well as individual courier companies similar FedEx, or UPS. Express commitment options are available, and y'all may even exist able to add together packing services for an additional fee.

Parcel delivery is a popular aircraft choice for artists and gallery owners, and information technology'south also a feasible option for those undertaking a long-distance household move who but take a few items to ship. If you have a large collection or are dealing with large volumes, consolidated freight is typically ideal.

When you ship artwork using parcel shipping services, yous need to exist aware of "dimensional weight". Package shipments are typically priced based on how much they weigh, but the space they accept up on the truck tin can besides bear upon the toll of your shipment, especially if you lot're moving large pieces similar paintings. Dimensional weight more than accurately reflects the density of your shipment—or, the corporeality of space it takes up most its bodily weight.

How to calculate dimensional weight

Measure the parcel dimensions to calculate the cubic size in inches:

50 10 W x H = cubic size

Then, divide the cubic size by the specific dimensional weight divisor determined by your parcel shipping service to calculate dimensional weight. You lot may demand to ask your aircraft provider for this information.

If yous only have a few paintings to send and you accept infinite in your vehicle, moving your artwork yourself will save you some money—and the stress of waiting for your package to go far undamaged.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Faster—expedited aircraft options are available	Package pick up options are typically express—yous may take to take your painting to a store to transport
Cheaper than consolidated freight	Tin can be expensive to send large artwork
Tin can include professional packing and crating	Your painting is out of your control from pickup to delivery
Tin can include boosted insurance	May not include sufficient insurance

How much does parcel shipping toll?

The cost of parcel shipping is based on the level of service you choose. Shipping a painting typically costs between $fifty-$300 per package, depending on the speed of travel and packing method you utilize. Shipping artwork tubes is often cheaper than shipping boxed or crated artwork, ranging betwixt $75-$200 per tube. Next-day or expedited shipments will cost significantly more than regular ground freight, no affair how they are packed.

When should I use parcel shipping services to ship paintings?

• Unmounted artwork that can be packed and shipped in tubes
• Expedited or time-critical shipments

Iv. Rideshare or peer-to-peer shipping

Rideshare or peer-to-peer shipping is like carpool for cargo. Afterward you lot post your shipment on an online marketplace, potential shipping partners who are traveling in the right direction volition bid on your shipment. They could exist a route tripper, a truck possessor/operator, or a larger logistics company. It'southward up to you lot to vet your options and negotiate your shipping rate.

Vetting a potential peer-to-peer shipping partner is peculiarly important when you're shipping paintings. Whatsoever aircraft partner should be qualified to handle these delicate items, and they should also be able to provide a prophylactic transportation environs that reduces the hazard of impairment to your artwork, such equally temperature command.

Advantages	Disadvantages
It May exist cheaper for long-distance moves	Yous may not be working with a professional—there's no guarantee of expertise or feel, and there's less accountability if something goes wrong
Opportunity to vet potential shipping partners	Need to pack your painting yourself
Can be used to ship just about whatever type of large item	May need to provide loading and unloading help
	May not be able to track your shipment
	No insurance if your painting gets damaged

How much does it cost to ship a painting using peer-to-peer aircraft?

Peer-to-peer aircraft costs tin vary, and are oft negotiable depending on the size of your painting, how many pieces you're aircraft, and the level of involvement yous require from your shipping partner. Typically, aircraft paintings using peer-to-peer shipping networks will cost between $175 for smaller, single pieces, and upwards of $ane,000 for larger pieces or collections.

When should I utilise peer-to-peer shipping to transport my paintings?

• Inexpensive artwork that doesn't require boosted packing or loading services
• If you are shipping a few other large items

V. Consolidated freight

When y'all send your painting(due south) using consolidated freight, your artwork will share infinite on the truck with other shipments heading in the same management. You but pay for the amount of space your shipment takes up on the truck, which helps go along your costs lower, especially for larger collections.

Consolidated freight shipping services are always provided past licensed and insured shipping companies. The best-consolidated freight providers volition connect you with an experienced shipping company that specializes in transporting artwork similar paintings. This may include:

• Temperature-controlled vehicles
• Loading and unloading by hand (instead of by forklift)
• Varying levels of service, such every bit white glove packing services, ensure that your artwork is packed or crated properly.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Rubber—you lot can trust experienced professionals to handle your painting properly in a controlled environs	It May be costly to transport large artwork or collections
Convenient—no need to observe infinite in your rented moving vehicle to safely pack paintings	Longer timelines, unless y'all pay for expedited shipping
Easy for galleries to ready recurring shipments	Does not e'er include packing and loading services
May include crate packing services, as well as indoor loading and unloading
Includes shipping insurance

How much does it cost to ship a painting using consolidated freight?

The cost of shipping a painting (or a drove of paintings) using consolidated freight will depend on what level of service you choose. If y'all tin can pack your painting yourself, consolidated freight services can cost equally low as $375.

If your artwork is especially valuable, frail, or sentimental, you'll demand white-glove service. With crating included, white-glove service typically costs betwixt $900-$1,000 but is much safer than a standard LTL aircraft environs. Instead of beingness loaded and unloaded using a forklift, your painting volition exist carried past hand past professional artwork movers.

When should I use consolidated freight to move my paintings?

• Larger collections
• Long-distance moves
• Especially valuable artwork
• If you need help with packing or crating
• High-volume or recurring shipments

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two. How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Painting?

Method	Cost
Renting a truck and moving yourself	Depends on the size of the vehicle and distance of the motility
Hiring professional movers	Depends on size and distance of move; approximately $4,300
Packet aircraft	Between $fifty and $300, depending on the speed of travel and packing method
Peer-to-peer aircraft	Depends on the size of the painting and how many pieces you're shipping; typically between $175 and $i,000
Consolidated freight	Starts at $375 for LTL service; $900-$one,000 for premium White Glove service

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3. Recommended Shipping Method

For local or short-distance moves, nosotros recommend transporting paintings and other artwork in your vehicle.

For long-distance moves, consolidated freight is ideal for large collections and recurring or book shipments of more than 10 pieces per month. Consolidated freight services like less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping are always provided by licensed and insured professionals, and then yous tin experience confident that your artwork is being transported safely throughout its journey.

Consolidated freight providers often offer multiple service levels, including packing and custom crating, assistance loading your paintings, and additional insurance. Most paintings will require White Glove shipping services, which include indoor pickup and delivery, packing services, and boosted insurance. Simple LTL shipments outset at $375 and can reach upward to $900 or more for White Glove service.

For smaller paintings, single items, or time-critical shipments, parcel aircraft is your all-time choice.

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4. Special Considerations for Aircraft Paintings

If yous're researching the best mode to send paintings, y'all likely autumn into i of two groups:

1. Collectors: You're relocating, either locally or long distance, and you need help safely moving your paintings to your new home. In this case, you might be looking for help aircraft a unmarried painting, or a large collection.
2. Artists or gallery owners: Yous're an creative person or a gallery owner, and you demand to ship paintings to both local and long-distance buyers. You may besides be dealing with college volumes and recurring shipments.

Regardless of what camp yous belong to, you lot'll exist dealing with the same considerations.

Mounting

The way your painting is mounted determines how information technology should be packed. Unmounted canvases can be rolled and shipped in tubes, while stretched canvases should be carefully packed in boxes. If your painting is mounted behind glass, yous'll demand to accept extra precautions to protect the glass and limit the damage if it does interruption in transit.

Size

The size of your painting as well determines how information technology should be packed.

• Smaller works tin can be shipped in new, double-wall corrugated cardboard boxes.
• Annihilation larger than 48" on ane side should be crated for maximum protection.
• Unmounted artwork can be rolled and shipped in tubes that are at least 4 inches longer than the shortest side of the piece when information technology's rolled flat. The tube should be broad enough to adjust four-5 inches of padding.

Larger artwork is besides priced differently. Some carriers, such as USPS, FedEx, and UPS, may have size restrictions and may price your shipment based on dimensional weight.

Value

Artwork tin be immensely valuable, both financially and sentimentally. For particularly valuable works of fine art, it'south highly recommended that you lot purchase additional insurance based on the value of the piece (not its weight) to ensure yous're covered in example it does sustain impairment.

Paintings must be properly packaged according to strict requirements to exist insured. The all-time-consolidated freight shippers will provide packing services that comply with insurance requirements.

Delicate

Paintings, especially stretched canvas, are delicate. No matter what size of painting you are shipping, packing them properly to forestall puncture and other damage is essential.

Volume

If y'all're an artist or run a gallery and you ship a lot of artwork, setting up recurring shipments with a consolidated freight shipper tin save time and streamline the aircraft process then you tin get your artwork to your heir-apparent as fast and equally safely as possible. With the all-time freight shipping companies, recurring shipments can exist scheduled in as piddling as a single electronic mail.

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5. Mistakes to Avoid When Aircraft Paintings

• Not wearing gloves. The oil from your fingers can damage the surface of the paint and other loftier-gloss art. When packing paintings, protect your artwork by wearing nitrile or cotton art-handling gloves at all times.
• Using poor quality tools and packing materials. Cheap or low-quality tools and packing materials can seriously compromise the security of your packing job. Never reuse boxes for packing artwork, and don't use newspaper in identify of packing paper—the ink can easily rub off and leave an imprint on your artwork. E'er use the highest possible quality packing tape, and an efficient record gun—cheap record is harder to apply, harder to cutting, and it doesn't stick as firmly.
• Using the wrong size box. Your box should exist at to the lowest degree 2" larger than your painting on all sides to let sufficient space to pad your artwork. There are three common box sizes for aircraft paintings: 28" 10 4" 10 37", 37" x 4 ⅜" x 30", and 36" ten 6" x 42". Telescoping boxes are also available.
• Not protecting corners. The corners and edges of your painting are the most susceptible to damage. Create corner protectors using cardboard cutouts or purchase pre-fabricated corner guards, and have intendance to protect the border of your painting by padding it fairly.
• Using packing peanuts instead of chimera wrap. Packing peanuts will settle to the bottom of the box, leaving your painting susceptible to harm. Instead of packing peanuts, always use bubble wrap to pack paintings. Big, one" chimera wrap is typically recommended.
• Not lining your painting before wrapping in bubble wrap. If bubble wrap comes into direct contact with the surface of your painting, it may stick to the varnish and leave an imprint. Always wrap your painting in acrid-free, archival-quality glassine paper before wrapping in bubble wrap. Bubbles should exist facing out to reduce the chance of leaving an imprint.
• Packing artwork as well before long. If you're an artist, brand certain your painting is completely dry out before packaging. Dissimilar types of pigment take different lengths of time to dry completely, and paint tin sometimes appear dry out when it isn't.

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vi. How To Pack a Painting

If y'all're selling your home, your real estate agent may recommend packing your paintings early on to help with staging. Beyond this, packing paintings starting time and shipping them early on or storing them in a safe place is a good manner to protect them throughout the moving process. Here'southward how to pack paintings:

Packing materials

• Tape measure
• For mounted artwork: Double-wall corrugated flick or mirror box
• For unmounted artwork: Sturdy aircraft tube
• Glassine paper—wax or parchment paper are not suitable alternatives
• Scissors
• Artist record or painter'due south tape
• Cling pic or compress-wrap
• Cardboard corner protectors
• Bubble wrap
• Cream boards
• High-quality packing tape
• "FRAGILE" stickers

Packing instructions

Once yous've acquired the necessary packing materials, you can brainstorm packing your painting. Every piece is different, but these steps are a good identify to start:

1. Clean your piece of work surface. Wipe it down to remove grit and dirt, then pad information technology with protective cloth like cardboard, cream, or cloth to prevent scrapes and scuffs.
2. Measure your artwork. Utilise your tape measure to determine the length, width, and height of your painting. This will help yous cull the right size box or shipping tube. What size is the correct size? Look for a box that provides a minimum of two" clearance on all sides. There are iii common box sizes for shipping paintings: 28" x 4" x 24", 37" x 4 ⅜" x xxx", and 36" ten 6" x 42". Telescoping boxes are as well bachelor.
3. Take photos from all angles. You'll demand photos to provide proof of status if your painting sustains damage in transit and you need to make an insurance claim.

If y'all're battle your artwork

1. Wrap painting in acrid-gratis, archival-quality glassine paper. This will protect your artwork from discoloration or staining. Ensure the protective paper covers all sides and edges, then secure information technology in place with acrid-free artist'southward record. Make corner protectors out of glassine paper by cutting four squares and folding them in half twice diagonally to form triangles. Record the free/open side of the triangle so it forms a pocket, then affix to the corner of the painting.

1. Wrap the painting in shrink-wrap or cling film. Pull the shrink wrap tightly around the artwork so that it doesn't become bunched or tangled. Cut small slits in the back so your painting can breathe—airflow can assist preclude trapped moisture and any resulting damage to the surface of your artwork.
2. Add a layer of cardboard padding. This creates a sort of "internal box" that will significantly reduce the possibility of a foreign object piercing or scuffing the painting. It will besides help absorb shock if the painting gets dropped. Cut the cardboard and then that you leave two extra inches at each terminate, and so bring the two sides together to grade a triangle on the top and bottom edge, and tape it closed. This creates an boosted buffer at the edge of the artwork that volition absorb stupor and assist protect the edges and corners—the two most vulnerable areas of a stretched sail. Tape a narrow piece of cardboard to the open sides to seal the internal box.
3. Protect corners using cardboard corner protectors.
4. Add a layer of bubble wrap. Pull the chimera wrap tightly to maintain tension and prevent bunching, taking intendance that the bubbles face outward to prevent indentations or impressions. Double-wrap the edges of your painting to protect these vulnerable areas.
5. Sandwich the wrapped painting between foam boards for added protection. Tape the boards together firmly, but not tight enough to apply pressure level to the art.
6. Slide painting into the outer box. The most mutual source of damage to paintings is from movement allowed by extra space in the box. Cutting the box downwards to a smaller size if necessary, or make full the box as completely as possible with additional bubble wrap—not packing peanuts.
7. Tape the box shut. Record all seams of the outer box, including the short seams at the end of each flap. Any untapped seam can snag and easily rip open if something catches it. Only apply high-quality, heavy-duty packing tape that'due south at least two inches broad. Duct record and other household tapes are non sufficient.
8. Label equally "FRAGILE" and "HANDLE WITH Care".

If you're shipping your paintings in a tube

1. Place the artwork atop ii sheets of glassine paper cutting to a size that is at least 2 inches larger than the artwork on all four sides to protect information technology from discoloration or staining. Ensure the protective paper covers all sides and edges. Paper-based artwork, such equally drawings, prints, watercolor paintings, or photographs, should be placed face up. Fabric-based fine art, such as linen or canvas, should be placed face downwardly to prevent cracking or breaking. If you're aircraft multiple pieces in a single tube, place a canvas of glassine paper between each work. Layer the art from largest to smallest, and brand sure each slice is facing the aforementioned management.
2. Whorl paper-covered artwork effectually a smaller tube for inner support. Don't roll it also tightly to avert harm to the painting. Secure the roll with creative person'southward tape.
3. Roll the artwork in a layer of bubble wrap and seal with record.
4. Slide roll into the outer tube.
5. Fill extra spaces with bubble wrap, taking care not to beat out the edges of your painting.
6. Seal with packing tape and label as "Fragile".

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Decision

If you're an creative person or gallery owner shipping paintings to buyers across the land, or are planning a long-distance move and are considering how to motility your drove, you take five options for shipping paintings

1. Rent a truck and move yourself
2. Hire professional person movers
3. Parcel shipping, such as UPS or FedEx
4. Rideshare or peer-to-peer shipping
5. Consolidated freight

If you are shipping a single painting or smaller pieces, or need expedited aircraft, parcel shipping is your best option. For recurring or volume shipments or long-distance moves of big paintings or larger collections, consolidated freight is ideal. TSI can help—our experienced logistics coordinators will connect you with an expert artwork aircraft company and aid you create a aircraft plan that works for your schedule and budget, including recurring shipments.

Assistance me ship paintings

TSI has personalized solutions for shipping paintings.

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Source: https://www.tsishipping.com/resource-center/how-do-i-ship-paintings