At Hancock Gallery we pack artworks for our clients from all around the world; it is essential that these works get to their destination in pristine condition so that they can be enjoyed for years to come. To ensure this our gallery team has tips and tricks that they are willing to share with friends of the gallery so you too will pack your artwork like a pro.
The materials that you will need:
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
- Fragile tape (if it is being shipped to alert couriers)
- Foam or cardboard corners
- Cardboard box
- Sheets of cardboard
- Mini stretch film dispenser (and film of course)
- Stanley knife
- Metal ruler
- Sheets of adhesive plastic
-
Scissors
- First things first are there any elements of the artwork like glass, protruding corners that need protecting, textures of painting that need to be protected? If so, we need to deal with them first.
- Look at your materials, for those corners on sculptures foam is the thickest material and you can use. You can use parcel tape to mould the piece into the correct shape too, just wrap it around the piece.
- For glass covers on paintings and prints we recommend cutting a piece of sheet adhesive to the size of the glass and stick it down.
- To protect textures on paintings, sizing a sheet of cardboard to the painting and then keep this in place over the picture while we get to the next step.
- The next step will be securing the piece. To start, we are going to need those foam corners. Secure the corners onto the frame before using your mini stretch dispenser with film to wrap around the frame and fully secure the corners onto the piece.
- After the piece looks fully secure, check it one more time. Is there anything else that may be an issue if the piece is in transit? If so, you can use bubble wrap to add one more layer.
- Now, that piece is completely secure, the next part is putting it in the box. Use bubble wrap once more to create another layer on both the top and bottom of the box.
- The next step is putting the piece into the box and making sure it is snug and doesn’t have gaps. You can close the box and not seal it, moving it gently to see if there are any gaps. If not, you can head straight to the final step.
- All that’s left now is to seal the piece with parcel tape, put fragile tape around the box (if it is appropriate) and label the work.
Voila! You now have a piece of work that is secure to the highest standard. Giving you one less thing to worry about when you must move your artworks.
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