How do I package my oil paintings to ship?

Question

I will be shipping oils between 16x20 and 6-7 feet tallxwide.....how do I ship them?????

Answer 1

Packaging is designed to take the bumps and dings so the cargo is spared. For your oils, you'll want a progressive package that can take a damaging hit on the outside, but not transfer that energy to the painting.

So, from the inside:
1. Wrap the painting in bubble wrap - several layers thick.
2. Put the bubble-wrapped painting in styrofoam peanuts, deep and thick enough to make the bubble-wrapped painting "float" in this pool - it will be well away from any of the sides or ends.
3. The styrofoam peanuts will be contained in a box.
4. The box will, again, "float" in styrofoam peanuts.
5. Those peanuts will be contained in a wooden shipping crate.

It's an expensive package, but it's kinda like the theory of wrapping leftover roast beef: it's worth it to use 25 cents worth of plastic wrap to protect a ten dollar roast.

Answer 2

Are you shipping them as sold works, or are they personal pieces you are moving? If they are sold pieces then you need to take the above advice and spend the money for protection. Their is nothing worse then getting the dreaded phone call from the buyer telling you the painting has been damaged due to poor packing.
But some in-expensive packing tips also are using cardboard. (If you want to send them still on the stretcher bars that is).Cut several layers to lay over the face and back. I found that the boxes from appliance stores work great as well. Especially for your larger pieces. As they are thicker then normal cardboard box's and very workable. I shipped several pieces over seas and they showed up in good shape. And I could see dents that happened to the outside, but did not affect the paintings.
It all comes down to what the value of the works are and what you are willing and able to spend.

Answer 3

take the canvas off the strecher put it in a roll up container .

or if in oned piece put air bubble packaging( any mail store) arouund it and ship it in a custom box ( cut to size to stop sliding )

Answer 4

Go to the hardware store and get some pipe insulation tubes. They are great for protecting the sides of your canvas.

Answer 5

protect the corners using those cardboard thingys (can't recall the name but they are designed specifically for this purpose) and bubble wrap. It doesn't need any more than this to protect it (I speak from experience!).

Answer 6

Go to a UPS store and have them do it for you.