Do you know how to pack art for shipping? You say, “What does it matter?” Well, you can easily guess the answer!We got in a collection of 25 items packed “economically” and then shipped cross-country! It was UPS’s fault for accepting this shipment but it wasn’t their fault for the breakage and problems. This shipment could never make it through any shipping company’s system.
Among these 25 pieces of art are some really great works that, now having LOST much value due to the damage, must somehow be restored, re-framed and made to at least LOOK normal. The glass broke, the frames broke; both scratched their way across the fine art prints. The cardboard wrapping didn’t hold together and several pieces of art it fell out of the shipping boxes and were trampled! So, here are some tips:
- First of all… more is always better.
- ALWAYS double pad and double barriers (cardboard).
- Keep at least a 4″ wall of peanuts or bubble pack around your artwork.
- If you have an art object and it can be taken apart…disassemble before packing…pack accordingly.
- When shipping flat artwork (vs. 3-D) I like to wrap with bubble pack and THEN add a piece of corrugated cardboard to FRONT and BACK and then put it in a box with peanuts or other green packing material.
This type of damage is completely avoidable. If you have really valuable or tricky stuff to pack, get a professional. In Los Angeles, I work with Cookes Crating (www.cookescrating.com) but there are similar specialists in most big cities. BTW, The UPS Store, aka Mail Boxes Etc is NOT necessarily the type of specialty packer you need. But ask! Most are untrained in fragile items but some, like the one in Carmel, CA is pretty good when it comes to packing art.
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Have you ever thought about adding some video clips to the body of the website posts? That would keep the viewers a lot more entertained. I just browsed through your entire blog and the ideas and subjects appeared to be actually quite great. Thanks.
Thanks for your comment Joly,
Yes, we will adding short instructional videos throughout the site. BTW, There is more free info and articles to be downloaded if you go to Products/Supplies on the scroll, upper left of this page. Also, check out How To Save Your Stuff From A Disaster.
Yea, I can relate to this post. Your info is right on! Wish I had read this before my Mom sent me family things across country. Take note everyone! This is good info!
Thanks for the comment Maurice. Good luck with your mess. Here’s an especially good appraiser you can talk to at http://www.faclappraisals.com. And sign up for my free preservation tips at the top of the home page!
I travel and ship a lot and I’ve seen this damage too, first hand. Your post is very clear and everyone should take note. Thanks for sharing your expertise. I signed up for your free tips.
Very good article. I like your website. Carry on with the good articles and I like your other writings on ezine too (http://ezinearticles.com/?expert_bio=Scott_Haskins). Thanks
Hi, it looks like your site was well planned and provides great info. Thanks. I’ll sign up for the free tips and download your chapter on preserving paintings. Keep the info coming.
We don’t have anyone giving good info like this down under. Thanks for keeping such a good blog, full of info. I appreciate the downloads too. Keep up the good work.
Is there a way to see any updates to your site straight on my desktop? I have been tracking your website for a while now and want to see when it is updated.
Click on the RSS feed and sign up for the free preservation tips. Glad to have you aboard.
Great article, thanks for the share. Blog bookmarked 🙂
A number of the comments that readers put up are such stoner remarks. Once in a while I question whether they honestly read the publications and items before leaving a comment or if perhaps they merely skim the title of the blog post and compose the very first thing that drifts into their heads. Regardless, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog that actually has useful stuff to read and keen commentary rather than the very same, outdated opinion vomit that I usually observe on the net. I’ll click on the RSS feed to stay in touch.
Thanks for the interesting post. This is my first time on this website and the whole thing has been interesting to look through. I can see that this is a good one to keep coming back to. Click on the RSS feed?
Thank you, again, for this great article, I really enjoy your blog layout and the quality of your posts. I live in hurricane country and can really see how this info can help.
Good to hear from you again Carroll.
FYI, I am speaking at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando Florida at the end of the month (March 2010).
Your info on this post and your other entries on this blog are worth reading. Having been through a recent disaster with water, I am hyper aware of the help you offer. Disaster planning isn’t very sexy. But I have found that the care of my stuff can actually be quite satisfying. Its kind of like the feeling one would have when completing a scrapbook or photo album. Knowing that I’ve done something to benefit others (in my family) is a very peaceful, satisfying feeling, for me. So, job well done. I’m signed up for tips and I got a copy of your book.
This really doesn’t apply to this posting, but I’ve been reading several and thanks for the material. As a scrapbooking expert, I understand the “grab ‘n go” idea with important stuff I don’t want to loose in a disaster. Protecting important stuff definitely needs to be a more important part of my emergency preparedness. I’ll get your book.
Great read. Thanks for the info! When will the office edition of your book be available?
Arthur,
The draft for the office edition of How To Save Your Stuff will be done this month (March 2010). The it’ll go to the publisher for about a 10 week process. So, that takes us to… about June? Thanks for asking. Leave your name and email in the Preservation Tips opt-in and I’ll let you know when its available.