You've sold your artwork! What happens now? The following will guide you through the packaging and shipping process.
Once you've sold your masterpiece:
1. We will email you letting you know your artwork has sold. We will also include information of what steps you need to take next.
2. Remember, Your shipping costs will have been paid for by the buyer during purchase. And your funds will be available to you once the transaction is complete.
It's really important that you immediately schedule a pickup date and time with your carrier service once you receive your 'Artwork Sold' email.
NOTE: You are responsible for shipping your artwork to the buyer. You can therefore select your preferred carrier service - UPS, FedEX, DHL etc.
3. If you haven't scheduled a pickup after 48 hours we will contact you to follow up.
4. You will be responsible for properly packaging your masterpiece for shipping.
5. You must include a certificate of authenticity inside the package along with your artwork. See below for the template we have provided for you.
6. If you're shipping globally, there could be custom delays, so don't panic.
Shipping Costs
The buyer is responsible for shipping costs.
You are responsible for proper packaging of your artwork. We recommend that you take into consideration the cost of proper packaging materials while pricing your artwork.
Certificate of Authenticity Template
A Certificate of Authenticity must be included inside your packaging as you prepare to ship your artwork to the buyer. The following template is available for you to use.
How to Properly Package Your Masterpiece for Shipping
In order to ensure your artwork reaches the buyer in the best condition, we're providing the following guidelines:
Packaging Paintings
Guidelines for:
Smaller paintings (48" X 48" and below)
Larger paintings (48" X 48" and above)
Paintings in a frame
Paintings on a rolled canvas
Before packaging your painting to be shipped, it's really important to ensure that it is completely dry. Drying time varies greatly depending on what supplies you use. It's important that you do your homework on the specific drying time for your painting.
Smaller paintings (48" X 48" and below)
Supplies:
Steps:
1. Wrap your painting in archival tissue or glassine paper. Handle your masterpiece with care by not touching your artwork with bare hands. White gloves are the best to use. You can also use the archival tissue paper or glassine paper to handle your artwork.
2. You will need 4 square pieces of your archival tissue paper / glassine paper. Fold each piece diagonally in half. Then, fold the now triangular piece, diagonally in half, again. This turns it into a triangular pocket. Use one pocket to cover each corner of your painting.
3. Your painting will need a firm backing. Use your foam board / 2-ply cardboard and tape it to the tissue paper pockets on the corners of the painting. The backing should either be the same size as the painting or slightly bigger.
4. To keep your painting completely dry, wrap your painting in the poly wrap / plastic sheet or carefully place it in the heavy plastic bag. to ensure moisture doesn't enter your packaging, seal any open areas properly using packing tape.
5. Next, presentably wrap your masterpiece in a double layer of bubble wrap, and use the tape to seal it.
6. Protect each corner of your painting by using the cardboard corner protectors.
7. Using 2 pieces of foam board / 2-ply cardboard, sandwich the artwork between each piece. It's important to ensure that the board extends 2" - 3" beyond your bubble wrapped masterpiece. Use the packing tape to secure both boards, ensuring the sides are firmly taped down. This will decrease movement of your artwork between the boards.
NOTE: Be careful about the amount of pressure you apply to the artwork. You do not want to create dents in your masterpiece.
8. Place your securely packaged painting in the cardboard box, ensuring about 3 inches of space between the box and the packaged painting. Use bubble wrap or shredded white paper in the space surrounding the artwork. This will decrease movement of your masterpiece during shipping.
9. To completely secure your cardboard box, use the H-taping method. You can find the specific instructions HERE.
10. Place your shipping label on the cardboard box and put clear tape over it to prevent damage during shipping. Using a permanent marker, clearly write the words 'FRAGILE' on your cardboard box or use 'FRAGILE' labels.
Larger Paintings (48" X 48" and above)
NOTE: It is really important that you use a wood crate for any painting exceeding 48" on any one side.
Supplies:
Steps:
1. Wrap your painting in the archival tissue or glassine paper. Handle your masterpiece with care by not touching your artwork with bare hands. White gloves are the best to use. You can also use the archival tissue paper or glassine paper to handle your artwork.
2. You will need 4 square pieces of your archival tissue paper / glassine paper. The size of squares may need adjusting to better fit the size of your painting. Fold each piece diagonally in half. Then, fold the now triangular piece, diagonally in half, again. This turns it into a triangular pocket. Use one pocket to cover each corner of your painting.
3. Your painting will need a firm backing. Use your foam board / 2-ply cardboard and tape it to the tissue paper pockets on the corners of the painting. The backing should either be the same size as the painting or slightly bigger.
4. To keep your painting completely dry, wrap your painting in the poly wrap / plastic sheet or carefully place it in the heavy plastic bag to ensure moisture doesn't enter your packaging, seal any open areas properly using packing tape.
5. Next, presentably wrap your masterpiece in a triple layer of bubble wrap, and use the tape to seal it. If you think your painting needs extra layers of bubble wrap, by all means use more.
6. Build your wooden crate, place your artwork inside and properly seal it. For instructions on how to build a crate, see the 'Build Your Crate' section below.
Paintings With A Frame
Supplies:
1. Ensure that your sturdy cardboard box or the wood crate you built has at least 3" of space surrounding your artwork. This will allow you to add the bubble wrap needed.
2. If your masterpiece is covered with glass or an acrylic pane, take that off first. If it doesn't go to step 5
3. To provide added protection for your glass or acrylic pane, use the painters tape to form an X by placing them diagonally on the pane. This will help the pane stay together in case it breaks during shipping.
4. Place your pane in between 2 foam board pieces. Ensure that the foam boards stick out at least 2" from the glass or acrylic pane on each side. Use packing tape to securely seal the 2 pieces of foam board with the pane in between.
5. Wrap your painting in the glassine paper/archival tissue. Handle your masterpiece with care by not touching it with bare hands. White gloves are the best to use.
6. Wrap your artwork with poly wrap or plastic sheeting to keep water and moisture out.
7. Protect the corners of your artwork by using the cardboard corner protectors.
8. Next, presentably wrap your masterpiece in a triple layer of bubble wrap, and use the tape to seal it.
NOTE:
For paintings 18" X 24" and below, go to step 9.
For paintings 18" X 24" and above, see the 'Build Your Crate" section. Your masterpiece will be best protected in a wooden crate.
9. Put your wrapped painting between 2 pieces of foam board and use packing tape to securely seal them.
10. Place your masterpiece in the cardboard box and pack in any gaps around it with as much shredded paper as needed. Using as much tape as needed, secure the box. Strengthen the corners by applying extra packing tape.
11. Place your shipping label on the cardboard box and put clear tape over it to prevent damage during shipping. Using a permanent marker, clearly write the words 'FRAGILE' on your cardboard box or use 'FRAGILE' labels.
Paintings On A Rolled Canvas
If your painting is on a canvas and is 72" X 72" and below, you can ship it in a tube. Not just any tube though. It needs to be a sturdy mailing tube. Take the canvas off its stretchers and ensure that it is totally dry before rolling it.
Supplies:
Steps:
1. Place your canvas in between a double layer of the archival tissue paper.
2. Very gently roll your now paper protected canvas around the smaller tube, ensuring that the painted side faces outward as you roll.
3. Then, roll your masterpiece in a layer of bubble wrap and securely seal it with the tape to keep moisture out.
4. Place your rolled masterpiece into the larger mailing tube. Carefully fill in any gaps with bubble wrap while ensuring that you do not crush any part of your painting. Place your 2 plastic caps at the end of the outer mailing tube and firmly secure them with tape.
5. Place your shipping label on the tube and put clear tape over it to prevent damage during shipping. Using a permanent marker, clearly write the words 'FRAGILE' on your tube or use large 'FRAGILE' labels.
Flat Artworks (48" X 48" and below)
These include artwork like photography, collages and drawings
Supplies:
Steps:
1. Wrap your masterpiece in the archival tissue or glassine paper. Handle your artwork with care by not touching it with bare hands. White gloves are the best to use. You can also use the archival tissue paper or glassine paper to handle your artwork.
2. You will need 4 square pieces of your archival tissue paper / glassine paper. Fold each piece diagonally in half. Then, fold the now triangular piece, diagonally in half, again. This turns it into a triangular pocket. Use one pocket to cover each corner of your artwork.
3. Your masterpiece will need a firm backing. Use your foam board / 2-ply cardboard and tape it to the tissue paper pockets on the corners of the painting. The backing should either be the same size as the artwork, or slightly bigger.
4. To keep your artwork completely dry, wrap it in the poly wrap / plastic sheet or carefully place it in the heavy plastic bag. This will ensure moisture doesn't enter your packaging. Properly seal any open areas using packing tape.
5. Using 2 pieces of foam board / 2-ply cardboard, sandwich the artwork between each piece. It's important to ensure that the board extends 2" - 3" beyond your masterpiece. Use the packing tape to secure both boards, ensuring the sides are firmly taped down.
6. Place your securely packaged artwork in the cardboard box, ensuring about 3 inches of space between the box and the packaged painting. Use bubble wrap or shredded white paper in the space surrounding the artwork. This will decrease movement of your masterpiece during shipping.
9. Place your shipping label on the cardboard box and put clear tape over it to prevent damage during shipping. Using a permanent marker, clearly write the words 'FRAGILE' on your cardboard box or use 'FRAGILE' labels.
Flat Artworks (48" X 48" and above)
Supplies:
Steps:
1. Wrap your artwork in the archival tissue or glassine paper. Handle your masterpiece with care by not touching it with bare hands. White gloves are the best to use. You can also use the archival tissue paper or glassine paper to handle your artwork.
2. You will need 4 square pieces of your archival tissue paper / glassine paper. The size of squares may need adjusting to better fit the size of your artwork. Fold each piece diagonally in half. Then, fold the now triangular piece, diagonally in half, again. This turns it into a triangular pocket. Use one pocket to cover each corner of your painting.
3. Your artwork will need a firm backing. Use your foam board / 2-ply cardboard and tape it to the tissue paper pockets on the corners of the painting. The backing should either be the same size as the painting or slightly bigger.
4. To keep your artwork dry, wrap it in the poly wrap / plastic sheet or carefully place it in the heavy plastic bag to ensure moisture doesn't enter your packaging. Seal any open areas properly using packing tape.
5. Using 2 pieces of foam board / 2-ply cardboard, sandwich the artwork between each piece. It's important to ensure that the board extends 2" - 3" beyond your masterpiece. Use the packing tape to secure both boards, ensuring the sides are firmly taped down.
6. Build your wooden crate, place your artwork inside and properly seal it. For instructions on how to build a crate click see the 'Build Your Crate' section below.
Flat Artwork In A Frame
Generally, flat artworks can be framed in any size. However, if your piece will be larger than 18" X 24", you will also need to check out the 'Build You Crate' section below.
Supplies:
Steps:
1. Ensure that your sturdy cardboard box or the wood crate you built has at least 3" of space surrounding your artwork. This will allow you to add the bubble wrap needed.
2. If your masterpiece is covered with glass or an acrylic pane, take that off first. If it doesn't go to step 6.
3. To provide added protection for your glass or acrylic pane, use the painters tape to form an X by placing them diagonally on the pane. This will help the pane stay together in case it breaks during shipping.
4. Place your pane in between 2 foam board pieces. Ensure that the foam boards stick out at least 2" from the glass or acrylic pane on each side. Use packing tape to securely seal the 2 pieces of foam board with the pane in between.
5. Use bubble wrap to wrap the foam boards that have the pane between them. This will go in the box or crate that has your framed art.
6. Wrap your artwork in the archival tissue or glassine paper. It's important that any material that comes in contact with the surface be of archival quality.
7. Wrap your artwork with poly wrap or plastic sheeting to keep water and moisture out.
8. Next, presentably wrap your masterpiece in a triple layer of bubble wrap, and use the tape to seal it.
9. Protect the corners of your artwork by using the cardboard corner protectors.
NOTE:
For artwork18" X 24" and above, see the 'Build Your Crate" section. Your masterpiece will be best protected in a wooden crate.
For artwork 18" X 24" and above, go to step 10.
10. Place your wrapped artwork between 2 pieces of foam board and use packing tape to securely seal them.
11. Place your masterpiece in the cardboard box and pack in any gaps around it with as much shredded paper as needed. Using as much tape as needed to secure the box. Strengthen the corners by applying extra packing tape.
12. Place your shipping label on the cardboard box and put clear tape over it to prevent damage during shipping. Using a permanent marker, clearly write the words 'FRAGILE' on your cardboard box or use 'FRAGILE' labels.
Rolled Paper Artwork
A heavy duty mailing tube 8" - 12" in diameter can be used for shipping paper artworks such as sketches, watercolors, photographs or other similar artworks. This will depend on the size of your artwork.
Supplies:
Acid-free archival tissue paper or Glassine paper
2 mailing tubes, one with a larger diameter than the other. The larger tube should have 2 plastic caps, 8" - 12" in diameter. This will depend on the size of your canvas. You will place your canvas in the smaller tube, then place that tube in the larger mailing tube.
Bubble wrap
Packing tape
Steps:
1. Place your canvas in between a double layer of the archival tissue paper, ensuring that it's completely covered.
2. Roll your now paper protected artwork around the smaller tube.
3. Then, roll your masterpiece in a layer of bubble wrap and securely seal it with the tape to keep moisture out.
4. Place your rolled masterpiece into the larger mailing tube. Carefully fill in any gaps with bubble wrap while ensuring that you do not crush any part of your artwork. Place your 2 plastic caps at the end of the outer mailing tube and firmly secure them with tape.
5. Place your shipping label on the tube and put clear tape over it to prevent damage during shipping. Using a permanent marker, clearly write the words 'FRAGILE' on your tube or use large 'FRAGILE' labels.
Sculptures
NOTE: Due to the varying nature of sculptures, the following are to be used only as general directions and guidelines.
Supplies:
Bubble wrap
Shredded paper
Packing tape
A really sturdy cardboard box for sculptures less than 18" and under 5 lb
Or, a wood crate for larger and heavier sculptures
Steps:
1. Use as many layers of bubble wrap as needed to snugly wrap the sculpture's top half. Pay close attention to the more delicate parts of the sculpture. Secure the bubble wrap edge with packing tape.
2. Layer your masterpiece with several pieces of bubble wrap, large enough to cover and fold over the first wrapping. Properly secure it with tape.
3. Use the bubble wrap to wrap around the lower half of the sculpture a few times, ensuring that it overlays the wrapping on the top half. Secure the bubble wrap edge with packing tape. Don't forget to securely tape the overlay where the top half wrapping meets the lower half wrapping.
4. Add protective layers to the lower half with several pieces of bubble wrap, large enough to cover and fold over the first wrapping.
Smaller sculptures - less than 12" and under 5 lbs - will be shipped in a sturdy cardboard box. You can now go to step 5.
Larger sculptures - greater than 12" and over 5 lbs - will be shipped in a wooden crate. See the 'Build Your Crate' section below for instructions on how to build one. Once completed refer back to this section and go to step 5.
5. Before placing your masterpiece in the box or crate, fill about a third of the container with shredded paper. For the cardboard box, use extra packing tape to strengthen the bottom before filling it with the shredded paper.
6. Create a slightly hollow section in the middle of the shredded paper and place your wrapped sculpture in it. Add shredded paper to the rest of the box. Pack in the shredded paper as much as possible to limit movement of your masterpiece during shipping.
NOTE: It's important that you have 2" - 3" of space on all sides, between your box or crate and the sculpture. It's also important to ensure that the shredded paper below the sculpture is more than that on top of the sculpture. This creates additional padding to counter gravity.
7. If using the cardboard box, completely secure it using the H-taping method. You can find the specific instructions HERE. If using a wooden crate, secure the top lid with screws (Do not use tape). This will make opening the crate easier for the buyer.
8. Clearly mark which side is up on the box or crate. Draw arrows pointing up on all side panels of the box or crate and clearly write THIS SIDE UP. You can also use pre-made THIS SIDE UP stickers.
9. To guide the buyer on which panel to remove on the crate, clearly write UNSCREW THIS SIDE ONLY on the removable lid. You can also add additional instructions for the buyer by writing them on the removable lid. Make sure you use a permanent marker.
10. Place your shipping label on the cardboard box and put clear tape over it to prevent damage during shipping. Using a permanent marker, clearly write the words 'FRAGILE' on your cardboard box or use 'FRAGILE' labels.
Build Your Crate
You would need to build a wooden crate to ship artworks like large paintings (48" X 48" and above), large flat artwork, sculptures, and artwork that's fragile.
Supplies:
Steps:
1. Before wrapping your artwork, measure it and write down its height, width and depth. These are the measurements you will use to figure out what dimensions you need for your plywood frame, if shipping a painting. You will also need to leave enough room for a 0.5" thick board frame in addition to the dimensions of your painting. For sculptures, make sure the frame has 3" - 4" of space all around the sculpture. You will use shredded paper as well as bubble wrap to fill in this space.
2. Refer to the dimensions you wrote down, and cut 4 plywood pieces of plywood, taking into consideration the thickness of the plywood itself while measuring the length and height of the frame. Ensure that the top piece of the frame (which will act as the lid of the crate) extends over the pieces that will be used for the sides. This will make it easier for the buyer to remove.
3. Glue and screw together 3 plywood strips. Do not include the top lid just yet because you will screw it on after you put your masterpiece in the crate.
4. Tape or glue strips of foam board to the frame to line it. If you do use glue, you will need to wait for it to dry before completing packaging your artwork.
5. Using the same dimensions of the constructed frame, cut 2 sheets of plywood. You will use these as the front panel and back panel of your crate.
6. Use wood glue and screws to attach one plywood sheet to the back of the frame.
7. Your packaging process is almost complete! Place a piece of foam board - similar in dimension to the frame - inside the crate. Place your artwork on top ensuring that there's no room for the artwork to move around inside.
8. Using another piece of foam board, cover your masterpiece.
9. Place the lid on top of the frame and properly secure it with screws. Ensure that your crate is as air tight and moisture free as possible.
10. To guide the buyer on which panel to remove on the crate, clearly write 'UNSCREW THIS SIDE ONLY' on the removable lid. You can also add additional instructions for the buyer by writing them on the removable lid. Make sure you use a permanent marker.
11. Place your shipping label on the cardboard box and put clear tape over it to prevent damage during shipping. Using a permanent marker, clearly write the words 'FRAGILE' on your cardboard box or use 'FRAGILE' labels.
PRO TIP: To make transportation of the crate easier, you can screw in cabinet handles. Use screws that are long enough, but not too long that they go inside the frame of the crate.
Shipping insurance for your artwork
You are responsible for insuring your artwork accordingly. All artwork that is to be shipped to the buyer should have adequate insurance, enough to cover the price of your artwork plus taxes or any VAT fees. This ensures a full refund to the buyer should your artwork arrive damaged.
To learn more about the importance of insurance and recommended insurance amount for your artwork, please see the 'Shipping Insurance' section.
In the unfortunate event that the artwork arrives damaged, you will need to work with the buyer on return shipping costs. You will also need to file an insurance claim with the carrier.
Vigilance in your packaging and shipping process will help increase the likelihood of your artwork arriving in proper condition.