How to ship a painting
Are you an art dealer or a private collector who would like to know how to ship a painting safely and cost-effectively, be it amateur or fine art pieces? At Eurosender, we are aware of the challenges of shipping artwork abroad. Our logistics platform is a perfect match for your needs. Simple, secure and affordable shipping solutions. Expert assistance at every stage of our cooperation. Feel the difference in just a few clicks.
ARE YOU AN ART DEALER?
Shipping services for businesses
Whether you are an Etsy seller, a small business or a professional art collector, Eurosender can become your trusted partner for shipping artwork abroad and across the country. Join thousands of businesses that have chosen Eurosender as their permanent shipping platform.
HOW YOU CAN SHIP
What services can you use to ship paintings internationally?
At Eurosender, we know exactly what logistics services suit your needs.
Standard shipping service
The most affordable option for shipping a few standard-sized amateur paintings abroad.
Dedicated van delivery
Transportation service dedicated solely to you. The van can fit more than a single painting inside. Short transit times within Europe.
How to package paintings for shipping
Before packaging paintings for shipping, you should decide whether you want to ship paintings together with the frame or rolled in a tube. You will find below the instructions for both techniques.
How to ship canvas art pieces:
- Put the gloves on.
- Cover the painted side with glassine paper. Fold the glassine against the edges of the painting and use some adhesive tape to secure it. Make sure the tape only covers the glassine and not the painting itself.
- Tape the glassine-covered painting to a cardboard sheet or a foam board.
- Wrap the painting with plastic sheeting or put it in a bag. Seal the bag.
- Protect the painting by at least two layers of bubble wrap.
- Add the corner protectors.
- Sandwich the artwork between two sheets of plywood, Styrofoam or between 2 pieces of foam board and fix the structure by adhesive tape.
- Put the sandwiched painting in the box. Surround it by cushioning materials.
- For extra safety, you can also put the box with the painting in a slightly bigger padded box.
- Seal the outer box with adhesive tape and add a warning label saying “Fragile” on all faces of the box.
How to package rolled paintings for shipping:
If you consider shipping artwork without a frame abroad, you can send it in a mailing tube. Here is how you can send a rolled painting by post or by courier:
- Put the artwork between two layers of glassine and roll it around the smaller mailing tube.
- Secure the roll with a piece of adhesive paper. Make sure it can be easily removed.
- Roll bubble wrap around the artwork. Do not forget to seal the wrapping completely to protect it against moisture and dust.
- Insert the artwork into the tube. Fill extra space with bubble wrap. Make sure you do not damage the corners.
- Seal the tube.
Drawings, photographs, and prints should be placed on the glassine with the image surface facing up. This way, you will roll them “face-in” and protect the image.
Works on canvas, linen etc. should be placed on the glassine face-down so that the images are facing out when rolling the work. Do not roll such paintings inwards.
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MORE INFORMATION
FAQs about sending paintings by post or by courier
What is the best and safest way to ship paintings overseas?
At Eurosender, we recommend sending paintings through an individual offer on our website. We will arrange safe delivery by a reputable transport company offering the best price-performance ratio, and you will enjoy the commodity of door-to-door shipping.
How much does it cost to send a painting by post or by courier?
If you intend to send a painting by post, you will need to check the prices of the chosen postal operator. If you are planning to ship artwork abroad by courier through Eurosender platform, the price will depend on the distance, as well as on the transportation method.
How to send charcoal drawings abroad?
If you worry that your drawing will smudge until it reaches its destination, spray your charcoal drawing with a workable fixative and add a couple of layers for extra protection. Then add glassine paper over the whole drawing. After that, you can follow our general instructions for sending canvas art pieces.
How to ship unframed oil paintings internationally?
When shipping this type of artwork abroad, it is crucial to know the time when the painting was finished. Transporting a wet oil painting might be a challenge as it may take a long time for the oil to dry.
If you need to send a wet oil painting by post or by courier, you should make sure that nothing touches the painted surface. We suggest transporting it inside a thin crate.
The guidelines for shipping a dried oil artwork are the same as those for sending paintings on canvas.
Is there any insurance for sending paintings by post or by courier?
Most courier companies consider paintings and artwork as fragile items. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance that you pack them accordingly to avoid any kind of damage, as insurance will most likely not apply.