
While fine art transport requires both meticulous planning and careful execution, all the caution in the world can go to waste if the piece being moved is not packed properly. Packing and crating is itself something of a fine art; shipping and transport requirements make it necessary to balance the need for efficiency and ease of handling with the need to protect delicate and valuable artworks from potential damage. The way in which this balance is struck will be different for each and every piece of fine art.
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Transportation solutions
Fine art transportation can be particularly challenging because of the nature of fine art itself—pieces are often delicate, highly valuable and/or irregularly-sized. Even pieces that might appear reasonably easy to pack—photographs or paintings, for instance—can often be vulnerable to environmental damage from humidity or sunlight.
The risks involved in transporting fine art make it imperative to work with professionals who specialise in fine art services and transport. It requires years’ worth of skills and experience to design the crating and packaging needed for safe transport of fine art.


Custom crating solutions
The first step in packing a piece of fine art is designing the crate into which it will be packed. Our master builders construct crates to accommodate the exact dimensions of a given artwork, thus optimising space while also ensuring that the piece is packed snugly and unable to move during transit. We often transport irregularly-shaped items and those deemed too difficult by other handlers; we relish a challenge, and believe that no item is too sensitive or esoteric to move.
Exterior design and construction
The exterior of a crate needs to be able to resist any direct impacts that may occur during transportation. As shipping is usually calculated by weight, crates also need to be as lightweight as possible. To minimise shipping costs without compromising on quality, our crates are constructed from a material that is both lightweight and durable—usually custom-cut plywood.
Interior design and lining
No matter how resilient a crate’s exterior, the vibration caused by any impacts—along with bumps and jolts en route—might still be sufficient to cause damage to a piece. To avoid this, all crates are lined with an inner layer of shock-absorbent material. The exact material used will depend on the nature of the artwork, but examples include foam, cushioning and air-ride suspension systems.
If a piece is especially fragile, it can be mounted into a custom-built interior frame, which is then suspended in shock-absorbent padding, providing a double layer of protection.
Packing materials
Each piece of fine art is wrapped individually before being placed in its crate. This wrapping protects against damage like abrasions and scuffs, and like every other aspect of the packing process, it needs careful consideration and forethought. Paintings and photographs generally require acid-free paper, while irregularly-shaped items must be bubble-wrapped in a manner that protects them from damage while also preserving their shape and structural integrity. Some pieces may be wrapped in thermal covers as an extra layer of protection against temperature changes.
Specialised solutions
While direct impacts are the most obvious source of potential damage, transportation can also pose more subtle dangers. Many works of fine art are sensitive to temperature and humidity, both of which can vary dramatically over the course of a journey. Such works require specialised materials that regulate temperature and humidity.
For pieces that are particularly sensitive to environmental conditions, we can provide “smart” crating solutions, which are fitted with sensors that allow real-time monitoring of ambient conditions. We can also fit our crates with real-time tracking technology, providing peace of mind throughout an artwork’s journey.
Compliance with international standards
Just as every fine arts transportation project is unique, so too are every country’s shipping regulations and customs regime. For pieces of art shipped across international borders, a respected fine arts handling provider will be familiar with both international and local regulations, and will also liaise with customs staff and local officials. It is important to plan around any potential regulatory hurdles in advance, thus preventing unwelcome surprises once an artwork is en route to its destination.