There are a lot of ways to answer, ‘How hiring fine art shippers secures your art’s future.’. The services offered by fine art shipping companies are designed to protect your artwork from various risks and threats.
In this blog, we will go into how art shippers protect artworks and thereby preserve their lifespan.
The Value Of Fine Art Shippers: What They Do
The global market for fine art and antiques grosses staggering figures year after year. In 2023, the industry reportedly made $65 billion. The year before that, we’re talking a whopping $68 billion. Pieces and collections that amount to such a value require specialist protection.
When it comes to expensive artworks, there are many factors that can compromise their premium condition. From the malicious works of theft, illegal trade, and vandalism, to accidental damages caused by environmental factors or transportation- maintaining the integrity of fine artworks is paramount for the survival of such a lucrative, culturally significant industry.
One of the most anxiety-inducing times for fine art dealers is the transportation process. Shipping art from A to B is when artworks are the most at risk from damage or theft. Hence, art transportation requires specialist intervention and careful planning.
Entrusting fine art with expert shippers offers an unmatched level of security. It significantly reduces the risks involved with shipping- saving the artwork’s owners time and money.
Fine art shippers apply their expertise and experience in protective packaging, handling, and shipping to deliver artworks intact and protect their original value.
How Hiring Fine Art Shippers Secures Your Art’s Future: Their Services
Transport Services
After purchasing expensive artworks at auction or from a gallery, the next challenge is getting them to their new home safely and securely. Provided, the slightest scratch, oxidisation, or sun damage can destroy the value of a piece. They’re not exactly something that can just be thrown in the boot of a car.
Fine art shippers will handle your artwork with expert care. Their knowledge extends to understanding the temperament of specific artworks and materials, so they know the correct measures to keep them protected. Shipping vehicles have customised interiors to ensure safe transportation and GPS tracking, further enhancing your sense of security.
Packaging & Storing
Exposure to an external environment can be extremely detrimental to fine artworks. While in transit, artworks are threatened by crashes and bumps. Drivers will of course drive with the utmost care, however, roads will be roads and potholes are sometimes unavoidable.
To protect works, fine art shippers will wrap pieces in shock-absorbent packaging. They will ensure packaging is sealed and compatible with the artwork. For example, glassine paper is widely used by fine art shippers due to its neutral pH level, offering protection from environmental damage.
Should the artwork require storage before or after purchase and delivery, it will be stored in a custom facility, guarded by professional security.
For more information on How To Protect Your Collection During Transportation, check out our previous blog post.
Securing Your Arts Future: Climate Control & Environmental Protection
Fine art shippers will deploy a number of techniques and technologies to protect artworks from damaging environmental factors during transit and storage.
- Temperature must be regulated and stabilised to avoid melting or shape distortion.
- Humidity levels must be controlled to avoid material degradation and mould growth.
- UV protection is used to prevent ultraviolet rays from causing pigments to fade.
- Packaging is sealed effectively to create a pollutant barrier, locking out dust and other airborne contaminants.
- Shock absorbers will limit the effects of bumps and vibrations on fine art.
- Insulated vehicles and packages protect artworks from temperature fluctuations.
- Sensors are installed to monitor the temperature and humidity in real-time, so shippers can adjust accordingly.
Security & Insurance Provided When Hiring Fine Art Shippers
To ensure secure transportation, the vehicles used for fine art shipping are custom-built with satellite tracking and communications. This is so logistics teams and the art owners are always up to date on the artwork’s progress and whereabouts.
For further security assurance, Aardvark’s fine art shippers don’t mark our vehicles. This is so all our shipments are discreet and are less of a target. Should there be an attempt to hijack the artwork, the sophisticated tracking and communications system will detect a disturbance and resolve the issue swiftly.
Whether put up in a home, in storage, up for auction, or in transit, we recommend all art to be insured. That way should the worst happen, you can still have some peace of mind. With so many risks involved with art transportation, insurance coverage is a must. Fine art shipping services may organise this on your behalf to ensure you have the best protective measures in place. Similarly, if you are having art or other goods shipped from international ports, you should ensure that insurance is in place.
How Hiring Aardvark’s Fine Art Shippers Secures Your Art’s Future
From start to finish, there is no questioning how hiring fine art shippers secures your art’s future. All the protective measures explained in this blog are based on the services provided by Aardvark Art Services.
Since 1988, we have extended our services to galleries, museums, auctioneers, private collectors and artists across England, Scotland and Wales. Our team are comprehensively trained to offer attentive care and protection to your artwork. Follow this link to find out more about us.
Entrusting your valuable artwork with a logistics company is a difficult decision to make. You must make sure you do plentiful research before leaving your expensive art in the hands of someone else. If you need help making that call, check out our blog How To Choose A Fine Art Shipper.
If you would like more information on how hiring Aardvark’s fine art shippers secures your art’s future, then please contact us today!