How to Ship Art Without Damage — Step-by-Step Packing Guide (2026)

Whether you are shipping a single watercolor to a buyer across the country or preparing an entire estate collection for consignment, the materials you use determine whether your artwork arrives in perfect condition or with a crease, crack, or shattered frame. Our companion guide on how to pack and ship art safely covers the step-by-step process. This guide is the product list -- the specific boxes, padding, tape, and archival materials you need for every shipping scenario, with real prices and direct purchase links so you can build your shipping kit today.

At Austin Gallery, we ship hundreds of artworks per year to buyers nationwide. Every recommendation below comes from hard-won experience: products that survived cross-country ground shipping in July heat, overnight air freight for auction deadlines, and everything in between. We have also included budget and professional-grade options for each category, because a $30 print does not need the same packaging investment as a $5,000 oil painting.

Essential Supplies Every Art Shipper Needs

Before diving into scenario-specific recommendations, here is the baseline kit that belongs in every art shipping station. These are the materials you will reach for regardless of what you are packing.

Acid-Free Tissue Paper

Every artwork -- framed or unframed, canvas or paper -- should have a layer of acid-free tissue between it and any other material. Standard tissue paper and newspaper contain acids that transfer to art surfaces, causing yellowing, foxing, and staining that is often irreversible.

Lineco Acid-Free Interleaving Tissue is the conservator's standard. Buffered to actively neutralize acids, this tissue works as a first-contact layer over paint surfaces, between stacked prints, and as wrapping for unframed works. A single pack contains enough sheets for dozens of shipments. At roughly $15-20 per pack, it is the cheapest insurance you can buy for your artwork.

Cotton Handling Gloves

Oils from your hands are a slow-acting enemy of art on paper, unvarnished paintings, and gilded frames. Always handle artwork with clean cotton gloves, especially during the packing process when you are repeatedly touching surfaces.

Archival cotton gloves cost just a few dollars per pair and should be treated as disposable -- swap to a fresh pair any time they get dusty or damp. Keep a box at your packing station and make gloving up a reflex before touching any artwork.

Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap provides the shock absorption layer between your artwork and the outside world. For art shipping, you want small-bubble wrap (3/16-inch bubbles) rather than large-bubble. Small bubbles distribute impact force more evenly and conform better to frame edges and corners.

Duck Brand Bubble Wrap Roll (12 in. x 30 ft.) is widely available, affordable at around $7-10 per roll, and perforated every 12 inches for clean cuts. For larger operations, buy in bulk from ULINE (item BW316S12P) where 175-foot rolls drop the per-foot cost significantly.

Critical rule: Never let bubble wrap touch the artwork surface directly. Always place acid-free tissue or glassine between the art and the bubble wrap. The plastic can off-gas and leave circular impressions on paint and paper, especially in warm shipping conditions.

Packing Tape

Not all tape is created equal. Cheap tape splits, loses adhesion in temperature extremes, and leaves residue. For art shipping, use a heavy-duty, 2.6-mil or thicker shipping tape.

Scotch Heavy Duty Shipping Packing Tape (6-Pack) is the standard in our shipping room. The solvent-free adhesive holds in both heat and cold, the 1.88-inch width covers box seams properly, and a 6-pack at around $18-22 keeps your cost per roll under $4. Always tape along every seam -- top, bottom, and side flaps -- and add an extra strip of reinforcing tape across the center of the top and bottom.

Cardboard Corner Protectors

Frame corners are the most vulnerable point during shipping. Even a small impact can crack mitered joints, chip gilding, or dent metal frames. Cardboard corner protectors wrap around each corner and absorb the blow.

Golden State Art Cardboard Corner Protectors (100-Pack) are adjustable to fit frames from 1 inch to 2.1 inches deep, fold together in seconds without tools, and cost roughly $12-15 per hundred. That is about $0.60 per frame for meaningful corner protection. These are the protectors we use at Austin Gallery for every framed work we ship.

For higher-value pieces, layer foam corner protectors over the cardboard ones for double protection. Foam corner protectors (24-pack) run about $10-14 and are reusable if your shipping volume warrants it.

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Shipping Scenario 1: Small Works on Paper

Works on paper under roughly 18 x 24 inches -- prints, drawings, watercolors, photographs -- are the simplest and least expensive category to ship safely.

What You Need

• Acid-free tissue paper (wrapping layer)
• Rigid stiffener boards (two pieces, slightly larger than the artwork)
• Flat mailer or portfolio mailer
• Packing tape

Product Recommendations

Stiffener boards: Use two pieces of rigid corrugated cardboard or foam core cut 1-2 inches larger than the artwork on all sides. Sandwich the tissue-wrapped work between them and tape the edges shut. For archival-grade stiffening, acid-free corrugated board from Hollinger Metal Edge is ideal, but for single shipments, clean corrugated cardboard works fine.

Mailer: For standard sizes (11x14, 16x20), a flat rigid mailer keeps the package stiff and protected. For higher value works, step up to a self-sealing art mailer with built-in stiffeners and padded interior.

Cost Breakdown

For bulk print shipping -- estate collections with dozens of works on paper -- consider investing in an Itoya Original Art Profolio for organization and a flat file for staging. Our guide on art storage solutions covers long-term storage in detail.

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Shipping Scenario 2: Framed Works (Small to Medium)

Framed artwork up to about 30 x 40 inches is the bread and butter of art shipping. The frame adds weight, fragility (glass or acrylic glazing), and dimensional complexity. This is where proper materials make the difference between a claim and a clean delivery.

What You Need

• Acid-free tissue paper
• Corner protectors (cardboard and/or foam)
• Bubble wrap
• Mirror box or picture box
• Packing tape
• "Fragile" and "This Side Up" labels

The Mirror Box Method

A mirror box is a telescoping two-piece box designed specifically for flat, fragile items. One piece slides over the other, creating an adjustable, double-walled container. This is the professional standard for shipping framed art.

Sizing: The box should be 2-3 inches larger than the frame on all sides to allow room for padding. Too tight and you risk pressure on the frame edges; too loose and the piece shifts during transit.

Step-by-Step Packing

1. Put on cotton gloves
2. Lay acid-free tissue over the glass or acrylic face
3. Apply an X of painter's tape over the glazing (this holds shards in place if glass breaks)
4. Attach cardboard corner protectors to all four corners
5. Wrap the entire frame in 2-3 layers of bubble wrap, bubble side out
6. Place the wrapped frame inside the mirror box
7. Fill any gaps with crumpled acid-free tissue or clean kraft paper
8. Tape all seams with heavy-duty shipping tape

Cost Breakdown

Mirror boxes are available at U-Haul locations, Home Depot, and in bulk from ULINE (search "mirror boxes"). Buying in packs of 5-10 drops the per-unit cost significantly compared to single-box retail pricing.

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Shipping Scenario 3: Large Canvases (Over 36 Inches)

Large canvases present unique challenges: standard boxes do not fit them, the surface area increases vulnerability to flex damage, and the shipping cost escalates quickly with dimensional weight pricing.

Telescoping Box Method

For unframed canvases up to about 48 x 60 inches, the telescoping box method works well. Combine two mirror boxes or large flat boxes by sliding one inside the other, creating a custom-sized container. Use corner protectors on the stretcher bar corners, wrap in bubble wrap, and ensure the canvas surface faces inward with tissue protection.

When You Need a Custom Crate

For canvases over 60 inches in either dimension, framed large works, or artwork valued above $5,000, a custom wooden crate is the professional standard. Crates provide:

• Rigid, impact-resistant outer shell
• Internal foam padding custom-fitted to the artwork
• Protection against stacking, fork-lift handling, and drops
• Insurance compliance for high-value shipments

Custom crate cost: Expect $150-$400 for a standard large painting crate from a professional crate builder. Companies like Masterpak and Airfloat Systems specialize in art shipping containers and offer both stock and custom solutions.

DIY Crating for Large Canvases

If you are shipping multiple large works and want to reduce costs, you can build crates yourself with:

• 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch plywood panels
• 1x2 or 1x3 lumber for framing
• 2-inch foam insulation board (closed-cell polyethylene, not polystyrene)
• Deck screws (avoid nails -- vibration loosens them)
• Acid-free tissue as the first contact layer

Build the crate 3-4 inches larger than the artwork on all sides. Line the interior with foam, wrap the artwork in tissue and bubble wrap, and secure it so it cannot shift in any direction. A well-built DIY crate costs $40-$80 in materials and provides better protection than any cardboard solution.

Cost Breakdown: Large Canvas Shipping

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Shipping Scenario 4: Sculpture and 3D Objects

Sculpture is the most challenging art form to ship. Every piece has a unique geometry, weight distribution, and set of fragile points. There is no universal box solution -- each shipment requires custom problem-solving.

Double-Boxing Method

For smaller sculptures (under 30 pounds, under 24 inches in any dimension):

1. Wrap the sculpture in acid-free tissue, paying special attention to protruding elements
2. Wrap in 3-4 layers of bubble wrap, securing with tape
3. Place in an inner box with 2-3 inches of foam or crumpled paper on all sides
4. Place the inner box inside a larger outer box with 2-3 inches of cushioning between them
5. The sculpture should not shift or rock when you shake the outer box

The air gap between the two boxes is critical -- it absorbs the initial shock of a drop before the force reaches the inner box and the artwork.

Custom Foam Inserts

For valuable or complex sculptures, have a custom foam insert cut to cradle the piece. Closed-cell polyethylene foam (brand names include Ethafoam, Plastazote, and Volara) is the archival standard. It does not off-gas, does not absorb moisture, and can be carved or routed to match any contour.

Professional foam cutting services like FoamOrder can create custom inserts from your measurements. For DIY inserts, buy 2-inch polyethylene foam sheets and use a hot wire cutter or sharp utility knife to carve the cavity.

Cost Breakdown: Sculpture Shipping

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Where to Buy Art Shipping Supplies

Amazon

Best for: individual purchases, small quantities, fast delivery. All of the products linked in this guide are available on Amazon with Prime shipping. For one-off shipments, Amazon's pricing is competitive and the convenience is unmatched.

ULINE

Best for: bulk purchases, commercial shipping operations. ULINE offers the widest selection of shipping boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and foam in standardized art-shipping sizes. Their mirror boxes, flat mailers, and foam sheets are specifically designed for the art and framing industry. Minimum orders and shipping costs mean ULINE makes the most sense when you are buying for 10+ shipments at a time.

Local Art Supply Stores

Best for: specialty archival materials, advice, immediate pickup. Stores like Blick Art Materials and Jerry's Artarama carry acid-free tissue, glassine, portfolio cases, and archival boards. Staff can often advise on packing techniques and may carry local crating referrals.

U-Haul and Home Depot

Best for: boxes only, same-day pickup. Both carry mirror boxes and picture boxes at reasonable single-unit prices. They do not carry archival materials, so you will still need a separate source for tissue, gloves, and foam protectors.

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Choosing a Carrier and Shipping Program

The three major carriers all offer programs specifically designed for art and high-value shipments:

• FedEx Custom Critical: White-glove service with climate-controlled vehicles, GPS tracking, and dedicated handling. Best for high-value works where standard freight is too risky.
• UPS Art Shipping: The UPS Pack & Ship program includes professional packing at The UPS Store locations. Convenient for one-off shipments when you would rather have professionals handle the packing.
• USPS Priority Mail: The most affordable option for small, lightweight works on paper. Priority Mail includes $100 of insurance; additional coverage is available up to $5,000.

For high-value shipments or large collections, specialized art logistics companies provide end-to-end service including crating, climate-controlled transport, insurance, and installation:

• Cadogan Tate: International art logistics with offices in major art market cities
• Crozier Fine Arts: Storage, transport, and installation for galleries, museums, and private collectors

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Insurance: Do Not Skip This Step

Standard carrier insurance caps out at $100-$1,000 depending on the service level. For artwork, that is almost never enough. You have two options:

1. Declared value coverage through the carrier (additional cost per $100 of declared value, typically $0.80-$2.50 per $100)
2. Third-party shipping insurance through providers like Arta or your existing fine arts insurance policy

For a detailed breakdown of art insurance options, including transit, storage, and exhibition coverage, see our complete guide to art insurance.

Pro tip: Document the condition of every artwork before packing. Photograph the front, back, all four edges, and any existing damage. This documentation is essential for filing insurance claims and proves the artwork's condition at the time of shipping.

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The Complete Shopping List

Here is everything referenced in this guide, organized by priority:

Must-Have (Every Shipment)

Recommended Additions

For High-Value or Large Works

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship a painting?

Shipping costs depend on the size, weight, and distance. A small framed work (under 20x24 inches) typically costs $30-$60 via UPS or FedEx Ground with proper packing materials. Medium framed works (up to 36x48 inches) run $60-$150. Large canvases or crated works can cost $150-$500+ depending on whether you use standard freight or white-glove art logistics services. Packing materials add $10-$30 per shipment on top of the carrier fee.

A small framed work (under 20x24 inches) typically costs $30-$60 via UPS or FedEx Ground with proper packing materials.

Can you ship art through USPS?

Yes, USPS is a solid option for small, lightweight works on paper such as prints, drawings, and photographs. Priority Mail includes $100 of built-in insurance, and you can purchase additional coverage up to $5,000. USPS is generally the most affordable carrier for flat packages under 2 pounds. For framed works or anything over 20x24 inches, UPS and FedEx offer better handling and tracking options.

How do you pack a framed picture for shipping?

Start by taping an X across the glass with painter's tape to hold shards in place if the glass breaks. Wrap the frame in acid-free tissue paper, then attach cardboard corner protectors to all four corners. Wrap the entire piece in 2-3 layers of small-bubble bubble wrap with the bubbles facing outward. Place the wrapped frame inside a mirror box (a telescoping two-piece box) with 2-3 inches of clearance on all sides, and fill gaps with crumpled kraft paper or tissue. Tape all seams with heavy-duty shipping tape.

Does bubble wrap damage paintings?

Bubble wrap can damage paintings if placed directly against the paint surface. The plastic may off-gas chemicals that react with paint and varnish, and the bubble pattern can leave circular impressions on soft or tacky surfaces, especially in warm shipping conditions. Always place a layer of acid-free tissue paper or glassine between the artwork surface and the bubble wrap. With that protective barrier in place, bubble wrap is one of the most effective cushioning materials for shipping art.

Should I insure artwork for shipping?

Yes, always insure artwork for its full appraised or sale value. Standard carrier insurance caps out at $100-$1,000, which rarely covers the cost of fine art. You can purchase declared value coverage through UPS or FedEx (typically $0.80-$2.50 per $100 of value) or use a third-party shipping insurance provider. Document the artwork's condition with photographs before packing -- front, back, and all edges. This documentation is essential for filing successful insurance claims.

Document the artwork's condition with photographs before packing -- front, back, and all edges.

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Final Thoughts

Shipping art safely is not complicated, but it is unforgiving of shortcuts. A $2 sheet of acid-free tissue prevents a stain that destroys a $2,000 print. A $12 pack of corner protectors saves you from a $500 insurance claim on a cracked frame. The investment in proper materials is always a fraction of the cost of damage.

If you are preparing artwork for consignment with Austin Gallery, we handle all packing and shipping for works in our care. But if you are shipping artwork to us, to a buyer, or to another gallery, this guide gives you the same materials and methods our shipping team uses every day. Start with the must-have supplies, match your box and padding to the scenario guides above, and your artwork will arrive exactly as it left.

For step-by-step packing instructions with photos, read our complete art packing and shipping walkthrough. And if you have questions about shipping artwork for consignment, contact us -- we are always happy to help.