How to Transport a Painting?

Are you moving house and want to bring your artworks along to your new home? Or perhaps you want to give a painting to a friend as a gift? If a painting is facing even a short journey, it needs to be packed properly. Since we have long experience working with works of art and have been packing paintings every day for almost 10 years now, we are sharing the tips we have gathered over the years on how best to pack paintings.

A trip from one room to another

At first this may sound funny, but even carrying a painting from one room to another must be done properly – even the shortest trip is an opportunity to damage your precious work of art. If any side of the painting is longer than 80 cm, we recommend asking someone for help. Carrying the painting together will protect it from bumps to the corners along the way, and you certainly won't drop it. While carrying it, try not to touch the front, painted side of the artwork with your fingers, and of course, wash your hands before doing this kind of work.

A trip to a new home

If the trip is short and made in your own car rather than a removal van, the same rules apply as when carrying the painting to another room, but in this case you will need additional protection. We recommend wrapping the painting in plastic film. The film protects the sensitive surface of the painting from light scratches, and during transport you won't be able to avoid contact with other objects. When placing the painting in the car, position it so that it cannot slide or tip over. Make sure there is nothing nearby that could fall on it. If the painting is travelling in a van together with other items, it is a good idea to protect the corners as well. You can do this by placing foam rubber or cardboard over them. If you want complete peace of mind, place the painting between two sheets of cardboard and wrap it in plastic film.

A trip abroad or via a courier service

If the painting is travelling via a courier service, it will need to be packed more carefully. Keep in mind that couriers will not take excessive care of your beloved painting, so plastic film alone will not be enough here. If the longest side of the painting does not exceed 120 cm, we suggest wrapping the film-wrapped piece in bubble wrap (in several layers), then in cardboard, securing the package with adhesive tape, and then wrapping it once again in bubble wrap. Now your painting is safe.

If the longest side of the painting exceeds 120 cm, we suggest not taking any risks and ordering a plywood crate for the painting. A painting placed in a crate only needs to be wrapped in bubble wrap. Any empty spaces left in the crate should be filled with foam plastic, foam rubber, fabric scraps, or bubble wrap.

The same rules apply when sending a painting by post.