How We Guarantee Safety When Shipping Paintings

At Aardvark Art Services, we know that shipping a painting can be a bit nerve-wracking. Whether it’s a priceless oil painting, a beloved family portrait, or a newly purchased piece from a gallery, every piece of artwork has a story behind it. It’s crucial it arrives at its destination in perfect condition.

That’s why we’ve made it our mission to take the stress out of art shipping. In this blog, we’ll go through how we guarantee safety when shipping paintings. From the moment we collect your artwork to the second it’s delivered, it’s safe with us.

Step One: Expert Handling From The Start

The process starts with people. Our team is trained specifically in fine art handling. That means no incorrect handling of the painting, no balancing canvases in awkward ways, and no guesswork about what’s safe and what’s not.

Instead, we handle with care and support. We carefully move the pieces using techniques designed to avoid unnecessary pressure or bending. We treat every painting as if it belongs in a museum!

Step Two: Custom Packing For Each Piece

A secret to how we guarantee safety when shipping paintings is that no two paintings are packed the same way.

A small, framed watercolour doesn’t usually need the same protection as a big, unframed canvas. That’s why we offer custom solutions for each piece. We use safe materials to prevent damage to paintings, corner protectors to stop frames from chipping, and multi-layered wrapping to guard against moisture and dust.

For particularly valuable or fragile works, we can create bespoke crates with shock-absorbing interiors. These crates are designed to withstand bumps and vibrations.

Step Three: Climate Control And Stability

Paintings are sensitive and not just to physical damage. Changes in temperature and humidity can also have an impact. Rapid fluctuations can cause cracking, warping, or other long-term damage.

That’s why our packing materials are chosen to provide insulation. Whether we’re shipping in the height of summer or the dead of winter, we make sure the environment around your painting stays as stable as possible.

Step Four: Professional Transportation

Even the best packing won’t matter if the artwork isn’t transported safely. Our drivers are trained in art logistics and follow strict protocols to minimise risk. Paintings are secured during transit so they don’t shift or rub against one another to cause damage.

We also plan routes carefully, to avoid unnecessary transfers or stops whenever possible. Fewer transfers mean fewer opportunities for damage. It also leads to faster delivery times.

Step Five: Comprehensive Insurance

Even with the highest standards of care, accidents can happen. That’s why part of how we guarantee safety when shipping paintings is making sure you’re covered no matter what.

We offer comprehensive insurance options for every shipment. This means that if the unexpected occurs, you’re financially protected. But of course, our goal is to make sure you never have to use that insurance.

Step Six: Tracking And Communication

Shipping art isn’t just about the physical safety of the painting; it’s also about peace of mind. We keep you updated throughout the journey with tracking information and regular communication.

You’ll always know where your painting is, when it’s expected to arrive, and who’s handling it. Transparency is a big part of what we do because we believe you deserve to feel confident every step of the way.

Step Seven: Careful Unpacking And Delivery

Finally, when your painting reaches its destination, we don’t just drop it off and leave. Our team handles unpacking with the same care we used when packing. This full-circle approach means that from pickup to placement, your painting never leaves the hands of professionals who know how to protect it.

Why All This Matters

When you’re shipping something as personal and irreplaceable as a painting, you can’t take any chances. Damaged art can’t always be repaired, and even when it can, restoration can be expensive and stressful.

Our job is to remove that worry entirely. By combining expert handling, custom packing, climate control, professional transportation, insurance, tracking, and white-glove delivery, we make sure your artwork gets where it needs to go. We ensure it arrives safely and beautifully.