PACKAGING AND SHIPPING

Packaging and shipping recommendations

PACKAGING

Tools: scissors, stanley knife

Materials: bubble-wrap, cardboard, tissue paper, plastic bags [all four materials above can be reused/repurposed], parcel tape

We encourage artists to use sustainable packaging. Here are good options to use for packaging:

https://www.davpack.co.uk/Eco-Packaging.htm

https://www.ecoenclose.com/

https://www.ecoenclose.com/blog/what-is-glassine/ Glassine is good when packaging a painting as it’s acid-free. It protects the painted surface from acid of other packaging and scratches from minor abrasion. Artists will also use acid free artist's tape).

To pack unframed paintings:

Ensure that the artwork is completely dry.
Try not to directly touch the artwork. Use tissue paper or photography white cotton gloves.
Wrap the piece in acid free tissue paper. For additional protection against moisture, wrap the artwork with plastic.
Fold four pieces of acid-free tissue paper into triangles with one side open, then place the triangles on each corner of the work. These help secure the piece to a strong backing material.
Taping only on the paper corners you just made, mount your wrapped piece with tape to sturdy cardboard or foamcore.
Place a few layers of cardboard on both sides of the newly secured piece. Tape these pieces together.
The final piece of the packaging is the outside cover. Take two pieces of corrugated cardboard, place the piece in between them and securely tape all sides OR A mirror box can be used if you want more protection OR wrap the piece in bubble-wrap and but in a cardboard box of the correct dimension (tight-fitting)
Write “FRAGILE, DO NOT BEND” on the package

To pack a drawing/print (up to A4):

Wrap the drawing in acid-free tissue paper
Place it inside a cardboard envelope/card backed envelope
Seal the envelope
Write ‘please do not bend’ if missing from the envelope

To pack a drawing/print (large):

Mount the drawing onto card or cardboard
Proceed with the same steps as packing unframed painting

Other useful sources:

How to Package Artwork | Saatchi Art

Advice-for-Artists-Guide-to-Packing-and-Shipping-Artwork.pdf (creativefuture.org.uk)

SHIPPING

(For the purpose of comparison, prices below are calculated on the basis of a package with the following specs: weight 0.3kg; height 30 cm; width 3cm; length 21cm)

Fed Ex
Express Delivery, Courier & Shipping Services | FedEx United Kingdom

£90 (for EU delivery)
£90 (for WW delivery)

Only for international shipping (Domestic accounts are not available when shipping under 20 packages per month)

UPS

Calculate Time and Cost: UPS - United Kingdom

£12-43 (for UK delivery)

£17-60 (for EU delivery)

£30-60 (for WW delivery)

Royal Mail

https://send.royalmail.com/

Price* £3-8 (for UK delivery)

£9-11 (for EU delivery)