Shipping of an artwork meaning techniques and Practical Tips for packing paintings

Shipping and handling charges is a common term which we see on art sites. Whenever you buy a painting do consider  the shipping costs which will be added with the total cost of paintings. Shipping costs are the costs incurred by the artist for packing and sending paintings to the art buyers destination. Usually the charges come for using packing materials and sending services, courier or postal delivery charges. Many times we see all inclusive prices and I also have on my professional art website one single price that includes packing and shipping courier charges. 

The white tube for holding the canvas in place 

soft muslin cloth for canvas painting shipping

Bubble wrap big roll

final rolling bubble wrap for shipping canvas unframed art

acid free card board and paper to protect art while shipping 

paper painting packed bubble wrap

plastic coating for shipping paper artworks

read framed artwork order packing

small framed paintings order commissioned abstract art

Every art website mentions additional shipping charges added to the total value  of the painting. This depends upon the destination the artwork is going to be shipped which is usually less within the country and more when sending to other countries to art collectors and art lovers. Courier charges vary from country to country and local cities we easily ship within few days but the international painting orders do require higher shipping charges and even take more days to send the parcel the mentioned destinations. I have noticed that international shipping charges are exorbitant and the art price most times is of lesser value than the shipping costs!

Packing of a painting is very important  as the buyer receives the artwork in good condition is very important. The paintings made of canvas or paper are packed differently. Framed paper work have glass which is very fragile and need great care while packing. As also canvas paintings need the care as they may get scratched or torn while transporting. The artwork most times travels from across the globe to reach the art buyer, most of my art buyers are from foreign countries, US, Singapore, Dubai, international sales. 

Tips for packing paper paintings-

Make sure  the paintings  are well dried before shipping. Otherwise the covering packing material will stick to the artwork and when removing the packing the painting may get damaged. Cover the  painting with clean paper on both sides. Use  thick  water proof paper  for  protecting the painting done on paper. In case of thick paint or  mixed media works consider the layer added to protect the artwork from getting abrased  or damaged. Acid free paper covering the artwork prevents any damage to the costly art. I use thick card board to give the parcel shape and prevent the artwork from bending or folding. There are thick bubble wrap that is the final covering to protect from damage and water proof the parcel. Always use water proof bag for shipping artworks. Personally I also put a lot of cello tape to covers the bag because we never know what the parcel might get exposed to till it reaches the air plane, sunlight, rains, water etc.

Packing of  canvas paintings-

Canvas painting that are unframed are shipped as roll in tubes. I prefer the plastic thick tubes since these are water proof. The procedure is we cover the artwork with soft white muslin cloth to protect original painting from any damage. roll it firmly over a wooden or plastic round stick. There are also other options for packing canvas paintings that are not framed. Tubular packing are available  for packing rolled canvasses. While rolling a canvas painting cover the painting with a layer of soft cloth , if required cover with bubble wrap to protect the layer of paint on the painting. Then the roll is put in hollow tube and sealed from both sides making it water proof and covered from every side. 

For framed canvas paintings the procedure is different. Boxes made of wood are required to pack wooden framed paintings. Consider finding a good carpenter to get customized boxes for packing as this has to be sturdy , big sized paintings framed in wood do weigh a lot ! so shipping charges are also high for international sales. I much prefer unframed artworks because the buyers can choose frame according to their choices and home decor. 

Many new  art buyers and  art lovers do like  to buy paintings ready to hang as some art buyers do not have the resources to contact frame maker  and also the time  required for this. and it is also a fact  as  we artist know that making a single  frame costs much more and you get concession of you frame many paintings at a time. It is also important that you choose the right frame to bring out the best in the artwork.  The color of mountings chosen and the size of the mounting  all affect the appearance of your artwork.

When ordering or  buying paintings from any artist do inquire the price with or without frames. As  usually  the mentioned prices are without frames.  

When the painting has to be shipped in your own country the same care will be needed for packing. While sending paintings over seas to different countries to art lovers it is important to protect and care for the artworks so that they reach the art lover collector  in good condition.  The artist has to make sure  about the right correct address of the art lover and always have contact number and destination address clear. It is advisable  to keep tract of the artwork once it is sent to make sure it  reaches the destination safely.

Thanks to my precious art buyers who share the photos of my art displayed in their homes and offices. sharing few photos of my sold painting hanging in my art buyers homes. 

few of my sold paintings

some of my sold artworks

art hanging in buyers space

paintings in my art buyers space

art hanging in buyers home

paintings hanging in buyers home

art displayed in buyers home

painting in buyers home

painting displayed in buyers home

evil eye painting in buyers home

painting in buyers home

How  the art lover buyer receives the painting will surely have an effect on your later sales! I always make it a point to add a hand written thank you note with wishes and also add my professional business artists website visiting card so that he art buyers can remember the next time they need to buy my art. 

On the personal front..Alhamdullilah , a painting is going to be shipped, by the grace of God, ...

Thank You to my art buyers. I surely  do not know whether I have to be happy or sad, both, one of my precious babies has found a home, a carer..hope this artwork titled "Untitled" reaches safely  by grace of God, and brings  loads of good luck and prosperity to the art lover.

The Red Pilgrim -my professional business artist card

While on this spiritual journey of The Red Pilgrim, as I continue to paint healing art...I wish to make simple colorful understandable art, art that heals.

All the Best from Rizwana!

a professional healing artist since year 2000 making spiritual symbol art to spread Reiki energy for personal power activation, self  empowerment, soul healing, family blessings  and Joy with world through my Reiki symbol healing paintings! Razarts