The Best Ways to Pack Paintings for International Shipping

Proper packing of paintings is not just a technical step—it’s the guarantee that an artwork will remain safe during transport. Artists, collectors, and galleries know well: the journey for artworks is always full of risks. Even with the most careful delivery, there’s still a chance of impacts, vibration, sudden temperature fluctuations, or high humidity. In airplanes, a painting may end up in a cargo hold at low temperatures, while during summer ground transport it can overheat in a truck bed.

That’s why the question of how to pack a painting for overseas shipping is not a small detail but a crucial stage that directly determines the fate of the work.

Main risks:

• Mechanical damage (impacts, shaking, drops during loading and unloading);
• Moisture exposure (rain, condensation, high humidity);
• Temperature fluctuations (in winter a painting may go from a warm room into freezing air and back);
• Careless handling by staff (stacking cargo, flipping boxes).

To minimize these factors, there is a whole arsenal of solutions—from a simple painting box to a professional plywood crate for transporting fine art, the kind used by museums and major galleries.

Center for packaging valuable and fragile items in Ukraine – https://packingcentre.com.ua/

Preparing a Painting for Packing

Condition check

Before packing, carefully inspect the painting:

• The frame must be sturdy, with no cracks or chips;
• The stretcher bars must not wobble—reinforce them if needed;
• The canvas should have no weakened areas or signs of prior damage;
• The surface of the painting should be dry and clean.

Example: In 2022, an artist from Lviv shipped an oil painting to Germany. He failed to notice a tiny crack in a stretcher corner. During transport, vibration increased the load and the frame split, reducing the value of the work. A simple pre-packing check could have prevented this.

Photographic documentation

It’s extremely important to photograph the painting before packing. This is done to:

• Confirm its condition for the insurance company;
• Provide documentary evidence in case of claims against the carrier;
• Give the artist or owner peace of mind.

Tip: take close-ups of all corners and vulnerable areas.

Primary protective layer

Before placing the painting in a box or crate, protect its surface:

• Acid-free paper or glassine protects paint from abrasion;
• A thin film creates a moisture barrier—but use materials with micro-perforation to avoid condensation.

A common beginner’s mistake is wrapping a painting directly in standard stretch film. This can cause condensation and damage the paint layer.

Main Packing Options

Cardboard boxes for paintings

A painting box made of dense cardboard is a basic solution for straightforward cases. It’s used for smaller works: watercolors, drawings, prints, or photographs. If the size does not exceed 40×50 cm, and the shipment is over a short distance (within Ukraine or within Europe), this option is acceptable.

Pros:

• Lightweight and accessible;
• Low cost;
• Easy to use.

Cons:

• Weak moisture protection;
• Fragility and deformation under impact.

Example: A young artist from Kyiv sent a watercolor to Poland. He used a simple painting box, but added bubble wrap and cardboard corner protectors inside. The work arrived in perfect condition. However, if it had been a framed canvas, it could have been damaged by the pressure of other parcels.

Reinforced cardboard solutions

For medium-sized canvases, choose painting boxes with double walls. Inside, place:

• Polystyrene inserts to secure the painting;
• Foamed polyethylene pads to soften impacts;
• Extra cardboard corners to protect the frame.

Tip: choose a box 5–7 cm (2–3") larger than the painting in each dimension to leave room for cushioning materials.

Plywood crates for transporting fine art

The gold standard of international art logistics is plywood crates for shipping paintings.

Advantages:

• High strength (protection against impacts and stacking pressure);
• Moisture resistance;
• The possibility of climate-control enhancements (gaskets, desiccants).

Specifications:

• Plywood thickness of 8–15 mm;
• Metal corner reinforcements and strengthened joints;
• Cushioning inserts inside—polystyrene or polyethylene foam.

Example: A museum in Odesa shipped several exhibits to Vienna. Each piece was placed in a plywood crate for transporting fine art with additional cushioning. After a long journey and multiple re-loadings, all paintings arrived intact.

Today, plywood crates for shipping paintings are used not only by museums but also by private collectors. As a rule of thumb, if a work is valued at €1,000–€2,000 or more, it’s not worth risking anything less than plywood.ЕУ

Additional Protective Materials

• Bubble wrap: 2–3 layers for watercolors, up to 5–6 for oil paintings;
• Polystyrene foam: cut to the shape of the painting;
• Foamed polyethylene: a universal material for padding;
• Corner protectors: plastic or polystyrene caps to safeguard the frame;
• Moisture protection: polyethylene sleeves, silica gel packets.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Pack a Painting for International Shipping

1. Primary protection — glassine or acid-free paper.
2. Wrapping and securing — multiple layers of bubble wrap.
3. Placement in a box or crate — cardboard for inexpensive pieces, plywood for valuable ones.
4. Fill the voids — polystyrene blocks or polyethylene foam pads to prevent movement.
5. Sealing and labeling — tape the package and apply labels such as “Fragile,” “This Side Up,” and “Do Not Tip.”

Example: An artist from Kharkiv shipped a large painting to London. She used a plywood crate with foamed polyethylene inside. The crate was flipped several times during transit, but the painting arrived unharmed.

Tips for International Shipping

• Cardboard boxes are fine for watercolors and small works;
• For medium-sized canvases, use reinforced cardboard with cushioning;
• For expensive and significant works, use plywood crates only;
• For long journeys, moisture protection and sturdy plywood are essential;
• Always photograph the packing process and keep the paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I pack a painting for international shipping?

Follow several steps: first wrap the work in glassine or acid-free paper, then secure it in bubble wrap, add cushioning, and place it in a box or crate. For inexpensive watercolors, a dense painting box is sufficient; for valuable canvases, it’s better to use plywood crates for shipping fine art.

What should I choose: a painting box or a plywood crate?

A cardboard painting box suits small, inexpensive works like drawings and watercolors. But for oil paintings or framed pieces, choose plywood crates for shipping paintings; they provide structural rigidity and protect against moisture and mechanical damage.

When is a regular cardboard painting box appropriate?

Cardboard painting boxes can be used to ship small works within Ukraine or over short distances in Europe. The key is to supplement them with cushioning: bubble wrap, corner protectors, and pads. For long-distance shipping or valuable works, cardboard is not enough.

Why are plywood crates for shipping fine art necessary?

Plywood crates for shipping fine art are the standard in international art logistics. They protect paintings from impacts, stacking pressure, and moisture. If a work is worth more than €1,000–€2,000, a plywood crate for transporting fine artis not just recommended—it’s essential.

Can I pack several paintings in one painting box?

Technically yes, but it’s very risky. Even in a large painting box, works will touch and can damage each other. Without partitions and proper cushioning, it’s a no-go. If you need to send multiple pieces, use individual plywood crates for shipping paintings or special containers with dividers.

Conclusion

The best packing method depends on the artwork’s value, size, and route.

• A painting box is suitable for simple, inexpensive works;
• Reinforced painting boxes offer a mid-level protection solution;
• Plywood crates for shipping fine art are the optimal choice for valuable, unique, and museum-grade paintings.

Golden rule: quality packing = artwork safety.

If you are an artist or a collector, treat packing as seriously as the artwork itself. Spending a little more time and money on a reliable plywood crate for transporting fine art is always cheaper than restoring a damaged painting.

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