How to Ship Artwork Without Breaking Your Masterpiece
Shipping artwork takes more than just a cardboard box and a roll of tape. Paintings, prints, and other delicate pieces need extra care so they arrive in the same condition they left.
Whether you’re sending a piece to a buyer, gifting art to a friend, or moving your personal collection, the right steps will protect your work.
At Blue Bird Pack & Ship in Denver, we help artists, galleries, and collectors move valuable art safely every day. Here’s how to keep your masterpiece in one piece.
Pack Framed vs. Unframed Work the Right Way
Framed and unframed art have very different needs when it comes to packing.
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Framed art: Use corner protectors, wrap the entire frame in bubble wrap, and place it in a sturdy box with padding on all sides. For larger framed pieces, double-boxing adds extra protection.
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Unframed art: Roll prints and unframed canvases with protective paper (not newspaper) and place them in a mailing tube. For delicate materials like pastels or charcoal, ship them flat with padding to avoid smudging.
Blue Bird Pack & Ship stocks specialized boxes and tubes made for artwork so you don’t have to improvise.
Some more expensive art is shipped in custom-made wooden boxes. Offering maximum protection, wooden boxes are often the choice for expensive, fragile, or oddly sized art. If you might need a wooden box, you will need to contact our team well in advance to ensure the box you need is available and in hand at the time of shipping.
Bubble Wrap vs. Glassine
Both bubble wrap and glassine have their place in art shipping.
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Bubble wrap cushions against impacts but should never be placed directly against painted or delicate surfaces; it can leave impressions or cause sticking.
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Glassine paper is smooth, acid-free, and water-resistant, making it ideal for direct contact with artwork. Wrap the art in glassine first, then use bubble wrap for the outer layer.
According to the Fine Art Trade Guild, proper layering of protective materials is one of the top ways to prevent damage in transit.
The team at Blue Bird Pack & Ship will make sure that we provide the right cushioning material and layer it properly to protect your art.
What Insurance Actually Covers
Many people assume insurance will replace the full value of damaged artwork, but that’s not always true.
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Standard carrier insurance (USPS, UPS, FedEx) may only cover up to $100 unless you purchase more.
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You’ll need proof of value, receipts, appraisals, or documented sale prices, for a claim.
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Some carriers exclude certain types of artwork from coverage, so check before shipping.
Insurance for shipping is like insurance in everything else: it can sometimes be a bit of a battle to get reimbursed. Plan ahead. Have all of your paperwork. Take photos. Keep meticulous records.
Blue Bird Pack & Ship can walk you through insurance options so you know exactly what’s covered and what’s not.
Mark Fragile Items Clearly
A bright “FRAGILE” label won’t guarantee gentle handling, but it can help.
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Place labels on multiple sides so they’re visible from any angle.
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Add “This Side Up” arrows for paintings with a specific orientation.
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Include a packing slip inside the box with your contact information.
While it’s rare for the packing label to be lost, it happens. Having an additional copy of the paperwork in the box will prevent a total loss.
It’s a small step that can make a big difference if your box is separated from its paperwork.
As with everything else that is shipped internationally, your art may be subjected to an inspection. The receiving country, and even the U.S. Customs has the right to open the box and inspect the contents. Make sure that everything is well-documented and properly, professionally packed.
The Case for Letting Pros Handle It
Art shipping involves more than just protection from bumps and drops. Temperature, humidity, and handling methods can all affect the condition of your piece.
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Professional pack-and-ship centers have the right materials for different media.
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They can custom-build crates or reinforced boxes for oversized or high-value work.
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They also know carrier rules for shipping art, so your package isn’t rejected at drop-off.
At Blue Bird Pack & Ship, we’ve handled everything from small prints to oversized framed canvases bound for overseas galleries.
Even pieces of work that are personal have deep sentimental value. Losing a work of art that one has spent weeks or months on is painful.
Letting the pros pack and ship your artwork will help to ensure that it arrives in pristine condition. While packing it yourself might save a few dollars, if it’s important enough to ship, it’s probably important enough to make sure it’s properly packed.
Quick Art Shipping Facts
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According to the U.S. Art Shipping Association, improper packing accounts for more than half of in-transit artwork damage.
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Glassine paper was originally developed for the printing industry but is now widely used for protecting fine art during storage and shipping.
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Double-boxing can reduce breakage risk by up to 80 percent for fragile shipments.
Final Tips Before You Ship
- Pack based on whether the art is framed or unframed.
- Use glassine for direct contact with the artwork, then add bubble wrap.
- Purchase the right insurance and keep proof of value.
- Mark boxes clearly with “FRAGILE” and “This Side Up.”
- Consider letting professionals handle high-value or irreplaceable work.
Shipping Artwork from Denver
Whether you’re sending art across town or across the ocean, a little extra care goes a long way.
Blue Bird Pack & Ship can help you choose the right materials, pack your art safely, and handle the carrier paperwork so you can focus on creating, collecting, or selling without worrying about shipping.
Stop by and we’ll make sure your masterpiece arrives looking like a masterpiece.