How to properly pack a painting and art objects

The process of packing paintings and works of art is the key to preserving the integrity of the parcel. Therefore, it is worth following the simple recommendations of experts and properly packing paintings in tubes or cardboard boxes.

Packing Paintings Without Frames or Stretchers in a Tube

Shipping a painting without a stretcher and frame in a tube is a technically simpler and more cost-effective solution that fully ensures the preservation of the canvas and its value.

Step-by-step instructions:

• For transporting canvases, use a tube with a diameter starting from 5 cm (the thicker the canvas, the larger the base diameter should be). You can make it from a newspaper or magazine, and fill the inside with paper, film, or other packing materials to increase rigidity.
• The painting should be rolled around the tube with the painted side facing out to avoid surface cracking.
• For additional protection, wrap the rolled painting in bubble wrap and secure the ends with tape.
• Insert the tube with the canvas and protective layer into a properly sized tube (cardboard or plastic; you can buy a ready-made one or use plastic ventilation or sewage pipes from a hardware store).
• Seal the ends of the tube with caps (e.g., made of thick cardboard) and secure them with tape.

Note: If the shipment is sent during the winter or stored in freezing conditions, cracks may appear on the painted surface. This should be taken into account.

Packing Framed Paintings in a Cardboard Box

Transporting a painting on a stretcher or in a frame is only possible when packed in a special protective box. Foam board or fiberboard sheets, bubble wrap, and polyethylene foam are used to make the protective box.

Step-by-step instructions:

• Remove the glass from the painting.
• Check the frame for any loose or detached parts (e.g., corner joints). If necessary, reinforce and secure the elements of the frame or stretcher using corrosion-resistant fasteners.
• Insert a polyethylene foam sheet inside the stretcher, wrap the canvas and base in bubble wrap, and secure the edges with tape.
• Cut two foam board sheets to the size of the canvas and sandwich the painting between them. Secure everything with tape, and fill the gaps around the edges with appropriately sized polyethylene foam strips.
• For additional protection, wrap the entire package again in film and place it in a sturdy corrugated cardboard box.

You can also use fiberboard sheets instead of foam board. This will increase the reliability of the packaging, but it will also add to the weight and cost of shipping.

Packing Framed Paintings in a Wooden Crate

Wooden crates are a more reliable option for transporting canvases on stretchers and in frames. However, they are also bulkier and therefore more expensive. They are best suited for large-format paintings shipped to distant countries.

Step-by-step instructions:

• It is recommended to remove the glass from the painting. If that is not possible, apply diagonal and cross strips of tape to protect the glass from shattering.
• Secure the frame firmly.
• Wrap the canvas in kraft paper, food wrap, or bubble wrap and secure the edges.
• Create a sandwich using foam board sheets, place the canvas between them, fill the gaps along the edges with foam rubber or polyethylene foam, wrap it in several more layers of packing material, and seal with tape.
• Place the wrapped canvas into a crate made of fiberboard (or hardboard) and close it securely.

Note: It is better not to use plywood as a material for the crate frame, as it does not always comply with the sanitary standards of the destination countries. Moreover, it is not practical – it deforms easily and absorbs moisture.

If you have any questions about properly packing paintings or other artworks – feel free to ask our managers!

You can also calculate an approximate shipping cost for a painting in a box or tube to any country in the world.

GlobalPost independently manufactures custom packaging — reinforced boxes, rigid tubes, and protective crates. All materials are tailored to the size and nature of the item to ensure complete safety during international delivery. Service details are available at this link.