How to Mail Artwork

Опубликовал Admin

6-10-2016, 12:45

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Artwork is delicate and often one-of-a-kind. Artwork can also be sentimental or valuable. There are precautions to take in order to protect your artwork in the mail, especially since shipping accidents are unpredictable. Use the following steps to learn how to mail artwork safely.

Mailing Unframed Artwork

Cover the artwork with acid-free paper. Lay the artwork on a piece of acid-free tissue paper. Put another piece of tissue paper on the top of the artwork. Fold the sides and corners of the tissue paper and secure with tape.
Cut 2 large pieces of cardboard. The pieces of cardboard should be 1 inch (2.5 cm) larger than the size of the unframed artwork.
- Depending on the thickness of the cardboard and the delicateness of the piece, you may want to use multiple pieces on each side. The goal is to make the artwork non movable.
Tape the bottom and sides of the cardboard together.
- You want the cardboard to stay together, but you don't want it so impenetrable that the recipient of the artwork will not be able to easily open the package.
Slide the artwork into the cardboard package. Tape the top of the cardboard together.
Write "Do not bend" in large print on the front and back of cardboard package. This statement alerts the shipping company to the fragile state of the contents.

Mailing Framed Artwork

Buy a mirror box. A mirror box is a thin, cardboard shipping box traditionally utilized for mailing mirrors, but fits artwork also.
Cover the frame. Use tissue paper to protect the delicate edges and the glass. Wrap the tissue paper around the entire frame. Tape the tissue paper securely.
- Mirror boxes can be purchased at storage companies as well as furniture stores. Purchase one that is large enough to allow at least 3 inches (76.2 mm) of space between the edges of the frame and the box.
Wrap the artwork in bubble wrap. Cover the entire frame with bubble wrap, paying special attention to the edges. Tape the bubble wrap edges closed.
Create a layer of packing peanuts in the box. Lay the mirror box on its side and place packing peanuts inside.
Insert the artwork. Place the bubble-wrapped artwork into the box on top of the first layer of packing peanuts.
Fill the rest of the box. Use the packing peanuts, making sure that the edges of the artwork are not coming into contact with the box.
Tape the box shut.

Tips

Purchase shipping insurance for your artwork if it is valuable.
Purchase 2 or more mirror boxes if your framed artwork is larger than 1 mirror box. The boxes can be taken apart and combined into 1 larger box.

Warnings

Avoid picking up unframed artwork by its corners. This can not only rip the piece, but the oils from your fingers can damage the paper.
Providing an incorrect address or using incorrect postage can lead to extra shipping, meaning more chances for the piece to be damaged.
Do not skip the tissue paper step when shipping either framed or unframed artwork. The tissue paper protects the piece from being scratched by cardboard or becoming impaired by bubble wrap.