On its face, shipping art prints might seem easy enough. After all, prints are two-dimensional, lightweight, and in some cases easy to roll up. Yet, as seasoned veterans of the fine art business will tell you, shipping artwork is a craft unto itself.
From large paintings to small sketches, you must ensure nothing about the artwork is harmed in the shipping process. Here’s a primer on how to ship art prints, with a walkthrough of everything from the packaging process to choosing a shipping carrier.
How to pack art in a flat envelope
- Prepare the artwork
- Select a sturdy envelope
- Add protective padding
- Secure the artwork
- Add identification and instructions
- Seal the envelope
With the right packaging materials, you can ship smaller prints in flat envelopes much like those that transport regular first-class mail. However, shipping art requires a lot more care than mailing an ordinary letter. Here are tips and methods for packaging and shipping art in flat envelopes:
1. Prepare the artwork
Before you ship artwork, make sure it’s adequately protected. If it’s a painting, ensure it’s dry and not susceptible to smudging. If it’s a print or drawing, consider placing a protective covering such as glassine paper over the surface to prevent smudging or scratching during transit. If you’re sending multiple prints in the same envelope, cover each one individually so that paint or ink doesn’t rub off or stick to the other artworks. You also can use cardboard sheets to separate different prints.
2. Select a sturdy envelope
Select a flat envelope that is sturdy and durable enough to withstand the rigors of shipping. An envelope specifically designed to ship artwork, such as a flat mailer or cardboard envelope, is ideal. Make sure the envelope is larger than the artwork to provide ample space for padding.
3. Add protective padding
Place a layer of protective padding inside the envelope to cushion the artwork and prevent it from shifting during transit. Bubble wrap, foam sheets, and corrugated pads make excellent packing materials. Wrap the artwork securely with the padding material, ensuring all edges and corners are adequately covered.
4. Secure the artwork
Use archival tape or corner protectors to secure the wrapped artwork inside the envelope. Avoid using regular tape that can damage the artwork when removed. If the artwork is particularly fragile or valuable, consider placing it between two pieces of sturdy cardboard for added protection.
5. Add identification and instructions
Include a packing slip with the sender’s and recipient’s contact information, as well as any special handling instructions. This helps ensure that the artwork reaches its destination safely and is easy to identify upon arrival.
6. Seal the envelope
Once the artwork is securely packed and protected, seal the envelope tightly to prevent it from opening during transit. Use strong packaging tape to seal all edges of the envelope, making sure there are no gaps or openings where moisture or debris could enter.
How to pack art in a mailing tube
- Prepare the artwork
- Select a suitable mailing tube
- Roll the artwork carefully
- Secure the rolled artwork
- Place the artwork in the mailing tube
- Cap and seal the tube
- Label and address the tube
Packing art in a mailing tube is a common way to ship larger prints, posters, or artworks that can be rolled without risking damage. This shipping method presents its own unique challenges, but it also helps ensure that your delicate art arrives in pristine condition. It may serve as a great option for larger artwork that simply won’t fit in an envelope.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to effectively packing art in a mailing tube:
1. Prepare the artwork
Ensure the artwork is clean, dry, and free from any debris. If it’s a print or poster, follow similar steps to those you’d use with a flat art print. This means placing a protective sheet such as glassine paper over the surface, which can prevent smudging or scratching during transit.
2. Select a suitable mailing tube
Choose mailing tubes that are sturdy and durable enough to transport artwork safely. The ideal shipping tube should be made of thick outer cardboard or other rigid materials that won’t easily crush or bend. Ensure the tube is long and wide enough to accommodate a large artwork without excessive rolling.
3. Roll the artwork carefully
Lay the artwork face down on a clean surface and gently roll it into a cylinder shape, taking care not to crease or damage the print. If the artwork has a protective covering, make sure it’s securely in place before rolling.
4. Secure the rolled artwork
Once the artwork is rolled, secure it with acid-freetissue paper. You can also apply a layer of glassine paper to prevent the print from sticking to itself. Use archival-quality tape to hold the paper in place, being careful not to damage the delicate artwork.
5. Place the artwork in the mailing tube
Carefully slide the rolled artwork into the mailing tube, ensuring it fits snugly but isn’t too tight. If there’s extra space in the tube, fill it with additional packing material such as bubble wrap, foam peanuts, or bundled-up Ulinekraft paper to prevent the artwork from shifting during transit.
6. Cap and seal the tube
Place caps on both ends of the mailing tube to protect the artwork from moisture, dust, and other potential damage. Secure the caps tightly in place, and then seal the ends of the tube with strong shipping tape to prevent them from coming loose during transit.
7. Label and address the tube
Clearly label the mailing tube with the sender’s and recipient’s contact information, as well as any special handling instructions for shipping paintings. Include a packing slip inside the tube with the same information for easy identification.
Tips for shipping art prints
When mailing art prints—from original paintings to mass-market lithographs—you can sometimes encounter an extra layer of difficulty. Here are four shipping strategies for both small and large prints:
Buy insurance
Consider purchasing insurance for the artwork you ship. You can almost always get insurance or similar protection from the shipping company you use to send your package. You’ll also want to pay for tracking services, which ensures that the artwork is traceable in case of any problems during shipping. Although you’ll incur additional fees for this service, it will spare you time and money if something goes wrong.
Use a new box or tube
A shipping box is the line of protection between a valuable work of art and the elements around it. The outer box needs to be sturdy, while the inner surface needs to be free of dirt, debris, or mold. Rather than reuse envelopes, boxes, and tubes, use new packaging. This will slightly bump your shipping cost, but it ensures the artwork inside is protected.
Don’t leave extra space
When you pack up artwork for shipping, empty space is not your friend. Even in a smaller box, art prints can shift around in empty space, damaging the edges or causing paint to flake. As such, put your best efforts into keeping prints secure in their packaging. You can fill empty space with balled-up tissue or parchment paper. You can place the print in a moisture-free plastic sleeve or poly bag to further protect it. You can even affix the artwork to the envelope by placing an adhesive strip on the print’s plastic sleeve; however, do not affix a strip to the print itself.
Label with up-to-date information
Make sure your shipping label contains an accurate return address. You should also include any special instructions on the outside of the package. For instance, you might specify that a package should only be opened with a short-blade box cutter and not long-blade scissors.
Choosing a carrier to ship art
In most cases, you’ll choose from three major shipping services when sending art prints to your customers:
USPS
The United States Postal Service offers competitive pricing, particularly for light packages. It offers services like USPS First-Class Mail,Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express, which are suitable for shipping art prints. Consider using USPS Registered Mail for added security and tracking for valuable art prints.
Depending on your package dimensions, you can buy USPS boxes specifically designed for artwork, such as Priority Mail flat rate boxes and tubes. You can purchase these directly from a local post office, where you can also buy shipping supplies like packing tape. Be sure that these boxes truly fit your print’s dimensions.
Consult the USPS website for the most up-to-date shipping costs.
UPS
UPS offers specialized services like UPS Ground and UPS Express Critical for shipping fine art prints securely and quickly. UPS Art Shipping provides custom packaging solutions tailored to the size and delicacy of the artwork. You can insure artwork for its full value through UPS’s declared value coverage.
UPS has a signature-required option that ensures that the artwork is delivered only to the intended recipient. It also provides tracking and delivery notifications.
When it comes to small packages, UPS prices tend to be higher than USPS. However, larger containers can be cheaper to ship with UPS. Consult the UPS website for current rates.
FedEx
FedEx stands out for its rapid delivery options and its array of specialized shipping services. Core offerings like FedEx Ground and FedEx Express work well for shipping art prints domestically and internationally. FedEx Custom Critical provides specialized handling and climate-controlled transportation for valuable and fragile artwork.
FedEx offers declared value coverage for artwork, providing reimbursement for loss or damage during transit. FedEx Signature Services requires the recipient’s signature upon delivery, ensuring secure receipt of the artwork.
How to ship art prints FAQ
What is the cheapest way to ship art prints?
The cheapest way to ship art prints often depends on factors such as size, dimensions, weight, destination, and desired speed of delivery, but generally, using USPS First-Class Mail or USPS Media Mail are economical options for smaller, lightweight art prints within the US.
How should I ship my art prints?
You should ship your art prints using a secure and protective method such as mailing tubes or flat envelopes, ensuring proper packaging, padding, and appropriate shipping service based on the size, fragility, and value of the prints.
How do you avoid your art prints being bent while shipping?
To avoid your art prints being bent while shipping, use rigid packaging such as mailing tubes or flat envelopes with sturdy cardboard reinforcement, and ensure adequate padding and protection to prevent the prints from moving or bending during transit.