Table of Contents
- Step 1: Measure and Photograph the Artwork Before You Pack
- Best Packing Materials for Shipping Artwork
- Step 2: How to Wrap a Canvas Painting for Shipping
- Step 3: How to Pack Framed Art for Shipping
- Step 4: How to Package Large Paintings for Shipping
- Step 5: Choosing the Right Box and Sealing It Securely
- Shipping Insurance, Carrier Rules, and Climate Protection
- Conclusion: When to Get Professional Help Packing Art
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 14, 2026
Step 1: Measure and Photograph the Artwork Before You Pack
Learning how to pack art for shipping, and getting the pack art basics right, starts with a tape measure, not a box. Measure the artwork’s height, width, and depth, then add 2 to 4 inches on every side for cushioning, that tells you what size box you need.
At The Shipping Den, we’ve seen too many artists grab a box first and force the art to fit. That’s how corners get crushed.
Here’s what to do before anything else:
- Measure the full outer dimensions, including any frame or stretcher bars
- Write the numbers down so you don’t guess later
- Photograph the artwork from the front, back, and all four corners
- Note any existing scratches, chips, or loose hardware
Those photos document the piece’s condition before transit, which helps if you file a claim.
Photograph the artwork next to a ruler or tape measure. If a damage claim comes up later, you’ll have proof of the exact size and condition at the moment you packed it.
Best Packing Materials for Shipping Artwork
Cushioning: bubble wrap or aerated foam wrap. Standard small-bubble wrap (roughly 3/16 inch bubble height) is the workhorse for most art.
Corners and edges. Foam corner protectors or folded cardboard corner caps absorb the impact that breaks frames.
Tape. Use packing tape for sealing the box and painters tape (low-tack) anywhere tape touches the art, frame finish, or glazing.
Void fill. Kraft paper, air pillows, or foam peanuts stop the wrapped piece from sliding.
A quick material-to-artwork map:
| Artwork type | Surface layer | Cushioning | Rigid layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unframed canvas | Glassine | Aerated foam wrap | 1/2 inch foam board, both faces |
| Framed with glazing | Glassine over taped glazing | Small-bubble wrap | 3/16 inch foam board, both faces |
| Works on paper (unframed) | Acid-free tissue | Small-bubble wrap | Foam board or rigid mailer |
| Sculpture or 3D | Acid-free tissue | Bubble wrap | Custom foam cutout |
Buy glassine in a roll wide enough to cover your largest canvas in one piece. Seams and overlapping strips create ridges that press into the paint under bubble wrap.
Step 2: How to Wrap a Canvas Painting for Shipping
To wrap a canvas painting for shipping, cover the painted surface with glassine paper first, then bubble wrap, then rigid board.
Lay glassine or acid-free paper over the front of the canvas and tape it gently with painters tape. Never press tape onto painted areas.
Next, wrap the whole piece in bubble wrap, bubbles facing out, then add foam board or heavy cardboard front and back.
For an unframed canvas, this rigid layer is not optional. Canvas flexes, and flexing cracks paint.
Never let bubble wrap touch an oil or acrylic painting directly. Over time, the plastic can bond to the surface and lift paint when unwrapped. Always use glassine or acid-free paper as the first layer.
Step 3: How to Pack Framed Art for Shipping
Packing framed art for shipping means protecting two things: the frame, which takes impact damage at the corners, and the glazing, which can crack and scratch the artwork behind it.
Here’s the sequence:
- Cover the glazing with painters tape in a low-tack grid pattern to hold it together if it breaks
- Wrap the frame’s corners with foam corner protectors
- Lay glassine paper over the front
- Wrap the entire frame in bubble wrap
- Sandwich it between two pieces of rigid foam board
Tape the glass on the front only. If the glazing shatters, the tape keeps shards off the art; skip this step and a cracked pane can scratch the piece beyond repair.
For framed pieces, the box should be at least 2 inches larger than the frame on every side. That gap gets filled with cushioning.
Step 4: How to Package Large Paintings for Shipping
Large paintings need a different approach: the bigger the piece, the more it bends, twists, and shifts inside the box.
For oversized work, use two sheets of foam board or a custom-built cardboard shell. Place one on the front and one on the back, then wrap the whole assembly in bubble wrap.
Key steps for large pieces:
- Build a rigid sandwich with foam board on both sides
- Use corner protectors on all four corners
- Fill every gap so the art cannot slide
- Reinforce the box seams with extra packing tape
- Label the box “This Way Up” and “Fragile”
If the piece is too large or heavy for a standard box, that’s where LTL freight comes in. Freight carriers handle oversized shipments on pallets with stricter packing requirements.
Step 5: Choosing the Right Box and Sealing It Securely
The right box fits the artwork with 2 to 4 inches of cushioning on every side. Too small and the art touches the walls. Too big and it slides around during transit. Both lead to damage.
| Box Type | Best For | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Single-wall cardboard | Small prints, flat paper art | Light and affordable for low-weight items |
| Double-wall cardboard | Stretched canvas, framed art | Extra rigidity resists crushing |
| Clam-shell box | Framed pieces with glazing | Two halves cradle the frame evenly |
| Custom crate | Large or heavy artwork | Built to fit, strong enough for freight |
Once the art is wrapped and cushioned, seal the box with packing tape along all seams, top and bottom, across the center seam and down both edges.
Add an orientation label on the top and one side so handlers keep the piece upright, and include a note inside with your contact info and the recipient’s.
Shipping Insurance, Carrier Rules, and Climate Protection
Insurance, carrier rules, and climate control are the three things most packing guides skip, and where most damage claims are won or lost.
Declared value, carrier liability, and documentation
Every major parcel carrier sets a default liability limit, commonly around $100 for standard parcel service, whether or not you bought extra coverage. For art worth more, you have two levers:
- Declared value. You tell the carrier the item is worth more than the default limit and pay an additional charge based on the declared amount. This raises the carrier’s maximum liability if they damage or lose the package.
- Third-party or specialty fine-art insurance. For high-value pieces, a fine-art policy or a specialty art shipper’s coverage may be broader than the carrier’s declared value program, which often excludes or limits damage to fragile, used, or improperly packed items.
Before you ship, confirm three things with your carrier: the default liability limit for the service you’re using, the maximum declared value they will accept for that service, and the exclusions (many carriers exclude damage to glass, ceramics, and items they consider improperly packed).
Documentation turns a claim from a fight into a payout. Build a file before the box is sealed:
- Photograph the artwork from the front, back, and all four corners, plus any pre-existing flaws.
- Photograph the packed piece inside the box, showing the cushioning and rigid layers.
- Keep the receipt, appraisal, or invoice that establishes value.
- Save the tracking number and the carrier’s acceptance scan.
- Photograph the unopened box on arrival if the recipient reports damage, then photograph the damage before discarding packaging.
Most carriers require you to file a claim within a set window (often 9 months for parcel, shorter for some services) and keep the original packaging for inspection. Don’t throw the box away until the claim is resolved.
Carrier rules by service tier
Carrier rules change by service tier and by whether the shipment moves as a parcel, freight, or specialty art courier.
- Parcel (ground and express). Size and weight limits apply per package. Oversized packages trigger additional handling surcharges, and packages above a certain length-plus-girth threshold may be refused. Fragile items are accepted but the carrier’s liability for them is often limited.
- LTL freight. For large or heavy pieces, less-than-truckload freight moves on a pallet and is priced by weight, class, and dimensions. Freight carriers typically require the shipment to be palletized and stretch-wrapped, and they may require a crate for high-value or fragile freight. Liftgate service, inside delivery, and appointment delivery are add-ons, not defaults.
- Specialty art couriers. For very high-value or oversized pieces, dedicated art shippers handle door-to-door with climate-controlled vehicles and white-glove handling. They cost more and have longer lead times, but they are the standard for museum and gallery moves.
Confirm the rules before you seal the box. A package that violates a carrier’s packing or size rule can be refused at the counter or denied coverage after damage.
Climate, moisture, and condensation control
Extreme heat, cold, and humidity can damage art in transit in ways packing alone won’t prevent.
- Moisture. Wrap the artwork in a moisture barrier before it goes into the box. A layer of plastic sheeting or a sealed plastic bag around the wrapped piece keeps ambient humidity off the art. Add a desiccant packet inside the barrier for long transit or humid destinations.
- Condensation. Temperature swings, especially moving from a cold truck into a warm building, cause condensation on cold surfaces. If the piece has been in a cold vehicle, let the sealed package come to room temperature before opening it. Opening a cold package in a warm room can fog glazing and introduce moisture directly onto the art.
- Heat. Acrylic glazing and canvas expand and contract with temperature. Avoid shipping during temperature extremes when you can, and choose faster transit options to cut exposure time. Do not leave a packaged piece in a hot vehicle or on a loading dock.
- Humidity swings. Works on paper, pastel, and charcoal are the most humidity-sensitive. A moisture barrier plus desiccant is the standard defense.
Sustainability without sacrificing protection
Reuse clean bubble wrap, foam board, and boxes when they’re still in good shape, it saves money and cuts waste. Never reuse materials that are crushed, torn, stained, or have lost rigidity: creased foam board no longer protects and flattened bubble wrap no longer cushions. When buying new, choose recyclable kraft paper void fill and cardboard over foam peanuts where the piece allows it.
The three most overlooked steps in shipping art are declared value coverage, carrier-specific rules, and climate exposure. Get all three right and you avoid the claims that packing alone can’t prevent.
Conclusion: When to Get Professional Help Packing Art
Some pieces are worth packing yourself. Others are worth handing off. If the artwork is high-value, oversized, framed with glass, or emotionally irreplaceable, professional packing removes the guesswork.
The Shipping Den is a women-owned, mother-daughter business in Prescott, and white-glove packing for delicate art and antiques is our specialty. We’re an authorized retail space for USPS, UPS, DHL, and FedEx, so you get every major carrier under one roof.
Get started with The Shipping Den and ship your art with the protection it deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you package large paintings for shipping?
For large paintings, start by wrapping the surface in glassine paper, then add a layer of bubble wrap or aerated foam. Cut two pieces of rigid foam board slightly larger than the canvas and sandwich the painting between them. Secure with packing tape, then place the bundle in a custom or double-wall box with at least 2 inches of cushioning on all sides. Label the box ‘This Way Up’ and ‘Fragile.’ For oversized pieces, LTL freight may be more practical than standard parcel carriers.
What materials do you need to pack art for shipping?
The best packing materials for shipping artwork include glassine or acid-free paper for surface protection, bubble wrap or aerated foam wrap for cushioning, rigid foam board or cardboard for structural support, packing tape, and a sturdy box sized to fit the artwork with room for padding. Painter’s tape works well for securing glassine without leaving residue. For framed pieces with glass, you’ll also want corner protectors and possibly a cardboard shell around the frame.
How do you pack framed artwork with glass?
Apply painter’s tape in an X pattern across the glass to keep shards contained if it breaks. Cover the glass with a layer of glassine or foam, then wrap the entire frame in bubble wrap. Add cardboard corner protectors, then sandwich the piece between rigid foam board panels. Place it in a box with at least 2 inches of padding on all sides. Mark the box ‘Fragile’ and ‘Glass.’
Should you use a box or a crate to ship large artwork?
For most paintings under 48 inches, a double-wall cardboard box with rigid foam board reinforcement is sufficient. For larger, heavier, or high-value pieces, a custom wooden crate offers better protection against impact and stacking pressure. Crates are heavier and cost more to ship, so they make the most sense for pieces where the value justifies the expense. LTL freight services are typically the best option for crate shipments.