Artwork Packaging Expectations

High quality packaging of artwork is integral to a positive experience of buying art and beautiful artwork deserves to be beautifully packaged! We want to ensure that the collectors who purchase work by the outstanding emerging artists we showcase are receiving great service, at every step of the process. The value of artwork is preserved by careful packaging, which crucially prevents any damage of pieces in transit. Pristine sheets of unused cardboard, carefully addressed packages and nicely printed certificates are examples of ways in which our artists maintain the services that customers receive through the website. As we are selling valuable items our buyers can expect to look forward to receiving something that reflects this. Here are some tips from our artists, for our artists, with images of artworks they have sent to give you an idea of general expectations around the packaging of artwork.

Packaging tips from Stephen Todd

Packaging paper based artworks - "I soon realised that getting the packaging right and having a clear sequence to the process, not only made sure there was a good impression, but also that it made the whole thing quicker and more secure for the work. Part of this is getting the right materials (as ever!)." 1. I mount the picture on basic mounting board using archival mounting corners. The supplier I use for corners is Lion - they have a couple of sizes. 2. I use an archival print bag to make sure the image is protected from water etc. Again Lion has suitable products. 3. I use a Handywrap to attach the picture to a protective cover. This is a very handy thing for all sorts of packaging! Again I get this from Lion. 4. I use corrugated cardboard and now purchase that new. It is not as expensive as you might think, but obviously depends on the number of works you sell. The supplier I use is Kite Packaging and use single wall sheets for internal support and double wall for the external, although Kite sell all sorts of packaging options.

Packaging tips from Johnny Morant

Johnny Morant builds sturdy wooden crates to ensure that his paintings are not damaged in transit. Crated by Adam Boyd Packaging by Myka Baum:

Packaging tips from Birgitte Lykke Madsen:

1. Select some nice, clean material for packaging.

2. Too small for painting? 3. Use you know how as an artist, aesthetically and functionally. 4. Use an extra cover for the front of the painting. 5. Bubble plastic. The plain side towards the painting (the bubbles might make marks in the painting). Make sure your presentation is nice and clean. 6. Remember the certificate. I always make a small personal note for the customer about this specific piece.

Packaging tips from Nina Stallwood

1. Wrap the painting in pallet wrap or stretch wrap (available from packaging companies by the roll). This protects the surface of the painting, much like clingfilm. 2. Then wrap the painting in bubble wrap (bubbles on the outside) and a bit more stretch wrap if you want. 3. Cut two pieces of board to the size of the painting and place on each side of the painting. I don’t always do this if I have wrapped it enough but it does ensure that if punctured the painting is safe. 4. Then place this package into a firm cardboard box, filling any gaps around the painting with crumpled paper/bubble wrap so that it sits firm inside the package. 5. Seal all the outside edges with tape and voila. It should be able to take some abuse without damaging the painting. Large paintings need to be either crated or packed into a heavy cardboard box (I use the box the canvas originally came in) following steps 1 to 4.

More packaging tips:

1. Wrap the canvas in acid free tissue paper (glassine). 2. Wrap it twice in bubble foil. 3. Protect the corners of the canvas by using several layers of tissue paper, folding triangles and refolding them until you have a thick triangle cap with which you cover the corners and which you attach to the canvas with tape. 4. Cut two foam boards into the size of the canvas and attach it on both sides with tape. 5. Then I usually cut and build a cardboard box out of a normal folding cardboard box which you use when moving, so it exactly fits the wrapped canvas. This needs a lot of tape and time, but as I don’t get any custom made cardboard boxes, that’s the way I do it.

Tips in Summary

1. Always use acid free materials next to the artwork itself. 2. Always use brand new packaging. 3. Ensure that enough packaging material has been used and so, if the worst happens and the parcel takes a fall from some height during the delivery system the artwork will remain perfectly intact. 4. If the customer lives close to your studio arrange for a courier (rather than using a delivery service) so that handling is minimised. 5. If work is going through a delivery system – Parcelforce, the post office etc. (rather than with a courier) then the assumption is it will be manhandled unfortunately – forklift trucks etc. in the handling depots pick up parcels and these can puncture any surface that isn’t very hard. Therefore please make sure that both sides of the artwork are adequately protected with card/board. 6. Make sure the final packaged artwork looks good – as the enjoyment of your artwork starts the moment it arrives.