As an artist, one of the most important aspects of your work is ensuring that it arrives at its destination safely and in good condition. This is especially true if you’re shipping your artwork across long distances or sending it to galleries or buyers. One of the best ways to ensure the safe arrival of your artwork is to properly crate it. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of properly crating artwork and why it’s essential for protecting your work.
Protecting Your Artwork
When you’re shipping artwork, particularly delicate pieces, it’s crucial to take the necessary precautions to keep them safe from damage. The last thing any artist wants is for their artwork to arrive at its destination with scratches, dents, or even worse, completely destroyed. Proper crating helps protect your artwork from any potential damage that might occur during transit.
A well-constructed crate provides a buffer between the artwork and the outside environment, protecting it from any bumps or jolts that might occur during shipping. The crate also shields the artwork from temperature and humidity fluctuations and other harsh conditions that could damage it. In addition, a properly constructed crate can prevent dust from accumulating on the artwork, which could require the piece to be cleaned upon arrival.
Reducing Shipping Costs
By properly crating your artwork, you can reduce shipping costs and potentially save money. When artwork is not properly crated, it may require additional packing and cushioning materials to keep it safe during transport, which can increase the weight and dimensions of the overall package. This, in turn, can lead to higher shipping fees. A well-constructed crate, on the other hand, can often eliminate the need for additional packing materials, reducing both the weight and size of the package, leading to reduced shipping costs.
Building Your Reputation
In the art world, reputation is everything. Properly crating your artwork shows that you care about the quality and protection of your work, which can help build your reputation over time. Galleries and buyers appreciate artists who take the necessary steps to protect their artwork, and it can help in securing future sales and exhibits.
Providing Insurance Coverage
When you’re shipping artwork, insurance coverage is essential to protect your investment. However, most insurance companies require that artwork is properly crated to be covered during transit. Without proper crating, insurance companies may not cover any damage that occurs to the piece. By crating your artwork correctly, you can ensure that you’re eligible for insurance coverage in case any damage does occur.
What Should A Proper Crate Include?
Now that we’ve discussed the importance of crating artwork, let’s talk about what should be included in a proper crate. The ideal crate should protect the artwork from the outside environment and provide sufficient cushioning to prevent any damage from occurring during transport. It should also fit the artwork precisely, so that it doesn’t move around inside the crate during shipping.
The materials used to construct the crate are also essential to ensure the safe transport of the artwork. The crate should be constructed from sturdy materials like plywood or solid wood, and the interior should be lined with foam or other cushioning materials. The artwork should be wrapped in acid-free paper and packed securely within the crate, with additional cushioning materials used to prevent any movement of the piece.
Conclusion
In summary, the importance of proper crating of artwork cannot be overstated. It’s essential for protecting your artwork during transport, reducing shipping costs, building your reputation, and ensuring that you’re eligible for insurance coverage. A well-constructed crate will provide the necessary protection to keep your artwork safe and secure during shipping. As an artist, it’s your responsibility to take the necessary precautions to protect your work, and proper crating is one of the best ways to do it.