Shipping Artwork
A Professional Presentation Is Key To Return Business
Shipping artwork may
seem like a daunting task,
but it doesn’t have to be!
With the right packing materials, and the right shipping company,
you can safely transport your precious pieces from one destination to another.
While there are no guarantees that your artwork will not be damaged in shipping, taking measures to prevent this as much as possible is time well spent.
The first step is to choose the right materials to protect your artwork. Well sized sturdy shipping boxes are a must to ship your artwork in a safe and professional manner. Foam sheets, bubble wrap and cardboard, are all great options for adding extra cushioning and protection. Make sure to use enough materials to protect your artwork. The way you pack should take into consideration that your artwork will be tossed around at some point in transit and might also encounter inclement weather including extreme heat or cold. Plastic next to a varnished oil or acrylic painting can become tacky in extreme heat, so you might want to avoid having it actually touching the surface of your painting. There are many options available including: Foam Packing Sheets, Honeycomb Packing Paper and Customizable Polyethylene Foam. These are great options for protection and stability. Invest incorner covers, if dropped, your package will almost always land on a corner. Consult a professional. Visit a UPS Store, contact a local gallery, or an online seller that you know, to ask about their best shipping practices for artwork.
For a professional system of shipping your artwork, have heavy duty boxes that are just a bit larger then the artwork you will be shipping. Plenty of bubble wrap or cushioned packing materials. Corner protectors and packing tape.
Choosing an appropriately sized box is the most important step in safely shipping artwork. You want to make sure the box is large enough to fit your artwork plus padding, but not so large that it leaves too much room for the artwork to move around inside. If you’re shipping a framed piece, make sure there is enough padding and cushioning to protect the frame, especially the corners.
A good practice, to to keep all material away from your 
artwork's surface, is to use corner covers in each corner then
sandwiching your artwork between two pieces of sturdy
cardboard. This technique keeps your artwork more protected
from possible punctures of the exterior box during shipping,
as well as breathing room to prevent the negative effects of
extreme temperatures. Wrap your sandwiched artwork with
protective bubble wrap or other cushioning material and place in your shipping box.
Sturdy flat boxes are perfect for photography, watercolors or any artwork on paper.
Always secure paper art so it does not slide about inside the box. Mounting paper
art to foam core is a very good practice.
Create and print custom return labels for outside of your shipping box.
Put one inside the box in case your outside label is torn or lost. Do the same for your shipping label.
Presentation is everything! Your artwork should arrive to it's new home in as professional a manner as you can provide. This is your business, and you want to show you are a professional before the box is even open.
Add to your shipment, a brochure or a flyer about the art and the artist.
Weigh and measure your artwork & boxes. Look up the shipping 
costs for those sizes and for different weights.
Many artists and online sellers average the cost for at least 3 time zones across the US for a flat fee to charge buyers at the point of sale.
When it comes to selling artwork online folding shipping costs into the price of your artwork is the best practice.
As you may know from your own online purchasing, Free Shipping is King, and in many cases can seal the deal for the purchase.
Remember: Shipping costs can be a business expense so keep your receipts!
Setting up your shipping options in your control panel is easy!
The Value Of Your Artwork Can Determine The Mode Of Shipping
Shipping very high end artwork to a customer or gallery may require a specialized service like, Air Float
You can order the same high end shipping boxes from companies like Uline, and use your own preferred shipper. Such as Fed Ex, UPS, USPS. These shippers allow you to print shipping labels from their websites and schedule a pick up.
Visit the UPS Shipping Website for shipping artwork and get more information on how they can help you ship artwork with confidence.
Shipping Original artwork is the responsibility of the artist. Prints On Demand purchases are not, they are shipped by the
Printer/Framer.
However you decide to ship your original artwork, do your research for costs, best shipping practices
and materials. Include your shipping policy/methods on your website to give potential buyers the confidence
they need to make that purchase.
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