Many artists and art galleries find it challenging to ship fragile arts and prints. Unlike any other standard packages, artwork demands extra care in shipping and handling one. A small tear, a bent corner of the paint, or a crack in the glass can ruin the overall aesthetic of the art.
If you’re an independent artist sending a fragile and one-of-a-kind painting or if you’re an online retailer selling limited-edition prints, knowing the right package and shipping practices is a must. Here’s an ultimate guide on how to prepare, pack, and ship delicate arts and prints.
Why Shipping Artworks Require Special Care
Arts have both monetary and sentimental value, unlike any other standard items. Customers buying art expect perfection and even small breakage can lead to refunds, returns, or most significantly, loss of trust in your brand. Shipping arts demand special handling and care in order to meet customers’ expectations and not face any returns or refunds in the future.
What are prints? Prints are reproductions of the original artwork. It can be photographs or any designs created through printing methods like lithography, screen printing, or digital printing. These artworks are vulnerable to folding and bending. While those arts enclosed in glass face risks of shattering and breakage.
It’s good to be realistic. Shipping is not always gentle, boxes can be stacked, dropped, or exposed to changing temperatures, and that’s why secured packaging and a reliable fulfillment process are important.
Which Packaging Materials to Use?
Here are the basic packaging materials you’ll need:
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- Use durable boxes or crates
Choose a box slightly larger than the artwork so you can add protective padding around it. For valuable or oversized art, wooden crates offer the most protection.
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- Add a protective wrap
Bubble wrap, foam sheets, or glassine paper can shield surfaces from scratches, moisture, and dust.
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- Use corner protectors or cushions
Essential for framed art, these prevent dents and bends at the edges.
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- Flat mailers or tubes
For unframed prints, rigid mailers keep the art flat, while heavy-duty tubes are useful for rolled prints.
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- Use packing tape and label the box
Sturdy, pressure-sensitive tape keeps boxes sealed, and “Fragile” or “Do Not Bend” labels alert carriers to handle with care.
How to Pack Framed Artworks and Prints
Framed Artwork (Including Artworks Enclosed in Glass)
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- Protect or cover the glass with painter’s tape in a crisscross “X” pattern to lessen the chances of shattering.
- Wrap the whole frame in bubble wrap or foam.
- Add corner protectors for extra security.
- Place the wrapped frame in a durable box with cushioning on all sides.
- For high-value or large pieces, use double-boxing (placing the wrapped frame in one box, then placing that box inside a larger one with added padding or extra protection).
Unframed Prints
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- Put a tissue or glassine paper on both sides of the print.
- Secure the print by layering it between sturdy cardboard sheets.
- Slide the protected print into a rigid mailer or shipping tube.
- Seal the package safely and securely with packing tape.
How to Label and Add Handling Instructions to Your Package
Labeling and adding instructions to your package are also important in the process. Clear labeling is an underrated but powerful way to prevent damage. Use “Fragile,” “Handle With Care,” and “Do Not Bend” stickers prominently on the package. While carriers can’t always guarantee perfect handling, these instructions make a difference in reducing risks.
If the artwork is temperature-sensitive (for example, oil paintings or certain inks), add labels like “Keep Dry” or “Protect from Heat.”
How to Choose the Right Shipping Partner
Now, you have already secured your package, and you’re looking for the right carrier to ship it securely and safely. You must search for carriers experienced with fragile and oversized shipments, and always opt for tracking and insurance. This table is an overview of what each service provides when handling art shipments:
| Carrier | Standard Shipping Options | Additional Services | Special Handling | Pricing Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Priority Mail for small or larger art pieces may require Parcel Ground ($10.00 – $200.00, depending on size) | Retail Ground, Media Mail (for prints) | Insured Shipping (up to $5,000), Registered Mail for high-value art | USPS Shipping Calculator |
| FedEx | FedEx Express Saver, FedEx Ground (for non-urgent deliveries) | FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx 2Day, FedEx Home Delivery | Fragile Packing Add-on, Custom Crating | FedEx Shipping Calculator |
| UPS | UPS Ground (for heavier, larger artwork) | UPS Next Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS Worldwide Express | Pack and Ship Guarantee, UPS Express Critical for urgent shipments | UPS Shipping Calculator |
Note: The prices and amounts listed are estimates and may vary based on the size, weight, and destination of the artwork. We recommend checking with each carrier for the most accurate and up-to-date rates.
For eCommerce sellers, working with a 3PL provider like Speed Commerce adds another layer of protection. We specialize in handling delicate and fragile products and provide the fulfillment services you need to keep your artworks safe from your storage shelves to your customer’s door.
Who are we? Speed Commerce is an end-to-end provider of outsourced customer experience solutions for eCommerce retailers (including for Shopify and BigCommerce and more) as well as manufacturers, for close to 20 years. We grow our clients’ businesses by providing winning customer experience strategies such as 24/7/365 eCommerce customer service, order fulfillment, and warehousing – get a free quote from a fulfillment expert. Use our new tariff calculator, updated for 2025.
Things to Know in Shipping Arts Internationally
If you’re shipping across borders, you’ll need to know these other than the packaging process:
- Complete all paperwork or customs documents carefully to avoid delays.
- Use stronger crates or double-boxing for international shipping.
- Always insure high-value artwork when shipping abroad.
International shipments involve more touchpoints, which increases the risk of damage. Choosing a partner with global logistics expertise helps you manage these risks efficiently.
Takeaway
Delicate and fragile artworks and prints need secure shipping practices to arrive safely at your customers’ doors.
For small to medium-sized businesses and independent sellers alike, partnering with a logistics partner such as Speed Commerce means you don’t have to handle these challenges alone. Speed Commerce helps protect your reputation, reduce damage claims, and deliver artworks in perfect condition.
