Fiberboard crates

Hardboard (Fibreboard) shipping crates for paintings are protective wooden packaging for transporting artworks across Ukraine and abroad. For over 7 years, ArtDom Workshop has been manufacturing framed crates for international shipping of paintings, graphics, icons, sculptures, and other fragile or valuable items. We help Ukrainian artists, galleries, collectors, and buyers organize safe artwork shipping worldwide.

Hardboard Crates for International Delivery of Paintings and Artworks

During international transit, a painting or sculpture goes through multiple handling stages: loading, sorting, warehouse storage, transshipment, and delivery to the recipient. At each stage, impacts, vibrations, pressure from adjacent cargo, and other mechanical stresses can occur. Therefore, choosing the right shipping container is essential for valuable and fragile art pieces.

A standard cardboard box does not always provide adequate mechanical protection. For such cases, we manufacture reinforced wooden crates featuring a batten frame, 2–3 mm hardboard (fibreboard) walls, and internal shock-absorbing materials. The rigid structure helps protect the artwork from accidental external impacts, while specialized inserts restrict the item's movement inside the container.

Compared to standard cardboard boxes, hardboard crates feature a stiffer frame and are suitable for shipments requiring extra mechanical protection. However, they are heavier than cardboard packaging, which should be factored in when calculating international shipping costs.

For heavier, oversized, and particularly vulnerable items, we also manufacture OSB crates and plywood crates. Thicker sheet materials allow for reinforced structures but increase the tare weight and packaging cost. The most suitable option is selected based on the size, weight, fragility of the artwork, as well as the route and transport method.

The primary purpose of our hardboard crates is artwork transportation. They are suitable for shipping paintings to international buyers, international transit of works to exhibitions, relocating private collections, museum exhibits, and other art objects. If needed, the crates can also be used for temporary storage of paintings, graphics, icons, and frames.

Structure of a Wooden Hardboard Crate for Painting Transit

The foundation of the shipping crate is a sturdy wooden batten frame. We select high-quality materials and securely join the structural elements, taking into account the dimensions, weight, and features of the item being transported. This helps the crate maintain its shape under standard transport loads.

To enclose the panels, we use 2–3 mm thick fibreboard (hardboard) sheets. They form rigid walls that protect the painting, frame, or other item from accidental contact with external objects. The protective properties of the crate depend not only on the fibreboard thickness but also on the frame design, joint quality, and internal cargo fixation.

Internal Protection Against Shock and Vibration

One of the key priorities when packing a painting is preventing it from shifting inside the shipping crate. Even a sturdy shell does not provide adequate protection if the artwork moves freely during transit.

Therefore, we utilize protective and cushioning materials inside the crate:

• Expanded polystyrene (foam) — for protective padding, item fixation, and filling empty space.
• Extruded polystyrene (styrodur) — for dense protective inserts, supports, and clamps.
• Polyurethane foam (sponge foam) — for soft cushioning and protecting delicate artwork components.
• Bubble wrap — for supplementary wrap and surface protection when applicable for the specific item.

Combining a rigid frame with properly selected shock-absorbing materials helps mitigate the impact of shocks and vibrations during transport. We select the fixation method individually, considering the size, weight, material, frame construction, and the most vulnerable areas of the artwork.

For paintings with glass, we pay special attention to protecting corners, protruding frame elements, and preventing pressure on the front surface. For sculptures and complex-shaped objects, we integrate custom supports and locks to keep the cargo securely in place.

Custom Manufacturing of Hardboard Crates

The ArtDom catalog features standard-sized hardboard shipping crates with fixed prices. They allow for an approximate estimate of packaging costs for shipping a painting or another artwork.

However, artworks often have non-standard dimensions. Therefore, we manufacture hardboard crates according to custom dimensions — from small boxes of 60×80×10 cm to large-scale structures of 300×700×50 cm and larger. Dimensions, material thickness, frame configuration, and internal fittings are tailored to each specific order.

For large-format paintings, massive sculptures, exhibition displays, and other non-standard cargo, we can manufacture shipping crates of virtually any required size based on your technical specifications. Transportation of such crates can be arranged via road freight (including trucks) or air freight. Feasibility, allowable dimensions, and rates are coordinated with the selected carrier.

Additional Crate Modifications

Upon request, we can equip the crate structure with the following elements:

• Carrying handles made of rope or heavy-duty webbing straps.
• Feet and skids for moving the crate using a pallet jack or forklift.
• Removable lid or hinged door for easy loading and unloading.
• Toggle latches and other locking hardware.
• Casters for smooth movement across flat horizontal surfaces.
• Internal partitions and dividers for housing multiple artworks.
• Clamps, tie-down straps, extra supports, and cushioning inserts.
• Reinforcement of specific frame elements according to cargo weight and shape.

Configuration options are chosen individually. We consider not only customer preferences but also item safety, loading convenience, transit conditions, and carrier requirements. Additional elements may affect the final manufacturing cost.

Crates for Shipping Art Abroad

A crate for international painting delivery is especially vital for long-distance transit, where the shipment passes through multiple logistics hubs and undergoes repeated loading, handling, and unloading.

ArtDom Workshop manufactures shipping containers for sending artwork via international postal, courier, and logistics services, as well as for road and air freight transport.

Our wooden hardboard crates can be used for packing and shipping:

• Canvas paintings, artwork on stretcher bars, and framed art.
• Graphics, watercolors, drawings, photographs, and glazed works under glass.
• Icons, including those in icon cases (kiots).
• Sculptures, figurines, decorative statues, and interior items.
• Ceramics, porcelain, glass, and other fragile objects with custom-fitted internal protection.
• Multiple artworks within a single crate using dedicated dividers and fixations.

It is essential to account for the unique features of each item being shipped. A framed painting under glass requires one type of protection, whereas a sculpture with delicate projections requires another. We design the structure to minimize damage risks during loading, transport, and unloading.

Planning to ship a painting in a crate abroad? Provide us with the artwork's dimensions (including frame), estimated weight, glass presence, destination country, and intended transport method. Based on these details, we will recommend a suitable construction and calculate the packaging cost.

Single-Use and Reusable Hardboard Crates

Our hardboard crates are primarily engineered for their main purpose — protecting the artwork during shipment. Such crates are frequently ordered for a single specific international delivery.

However, with careful opening and if the frame, panels, and internal cushioning remain intact, the crate can be reused. This is particularly convenient for artists, galleries, and collectors who regularly transport paintings between exhibitions or send artwork to clients.

Before reusing, we recommend inspecting the integrity of the wooden frame, joints, hardboard panels, and shock-absorbing inserts. If the structure is damaged or protective elements have lost their properties, they must be replaced or a new crate fabricated.

Buy a Hardboard Crate for a Painting or Request Custom Manufacturing

This category features standard-sized wooden hardboard crates for painting transit. The listed prices provide a preliminary estimate of the packaging budget for shipping artwork across Ukraine or internationally.

If standard sizes do not fit, ArtDom Workshop will manufacture a crate to custom parameters. When calculating costs, we consider artwork dimensions, weight, frame and glass presence, quantity of items, internal protection, extra modifications, and transport conditions.

What Information Is Needed for a Cost Quote?

For a preliminary quote, please provide:

• Artwork dimensions including frame, kiot, or protruding elements.
• Material, estimated weight, and presence of fragile details or glass.
• Number of items to be packed in a single crate.
• Destination country or delivery city.
• Intended transport method: courier service, road freight, or air freight.
• Preferences for protective materials, tie-downs, and additional hardware.

We manufacture hardboard shipping crates in Kyiv and arrange delivery of ready packaging across Ukraine, including Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and other cities. Visiting our workshop in person is not required: simply send us the dimensions, photos, and a description of your artwork.

Need a crate to send a painting abroad? Select a suitable standard size from our catalog or contact ArtDom for a custom quote. We will help you select packaging tailored to the specifics of your artwork and planned international shipment.

Export Hardboard Crates: ISPM 15 and IPPC Marking

When shipping art internationally, phytosanitary requirements for wooden transport packaging must be taken into consideration.

The walls of our crates are made from fibreboard (hardboard), which falls under processed wood materials. However, the crate structure also includes a frame, and when necessary, feet or skids made of solid timber. Such components may be subject to ISPM 15 international standards.

For export crates, we use appropriately treated timber elements and comply with IPPC marking requirements for structures subject to the standard. Treatment and marking requirements are determined based on the container design and destination country.

If you require a hardboard crate for international shipping of a painting, icon, or sculpture, specify the destination country and intended mode of transport. We will help you select a compliant structure taking into account applicable timber packaging regulations.

The workshop does not provide standalone fumigation services. For more details on phytosanitary requirements, read our article "Fumigation of Painting Crates for International Shipping".

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