Shipping paintings requires more than a standard box. They must be protected from surface damage, vibration, punctures, and environmental exposure throughout the journey. Commerce Packaging recently completed the specialized packaging of an artist’s canvas painting, demonstrating the company’s commitment to museum-quality handling and protection of fine art during transport.
We first shielded the painting from surface damage, wrapping it in two types of wrapping paper to protect the paint from abrasion and chemical interaction: Neutral Kraft (acid-free glassine) paper and MIL-PRF-121G Grade A paper.
The artwork was then prepared with a floating suspension system. A floating suspension system ensures that if a package experiences impact (such as being dropped) during transit, the energy is absorbed before reaching the object. We cut 2” polyethylene foam into planks as necessary to line the wrapped artwork, essentially creating a foam box. The polyethylene foam box serves as the primary shock absorber here. It’s resilient and doesn’t crumble under pressure, making it ideal for high-value art transport.
Once the piece was secured in the foam box, the piece was placed inside a second heavy-duty carton, constructed from double-wall corrugated cardboard. This industrial-grade material provides a significantly higher burst test rating—typically 275 pounds or greater—offering superior resistance to punctures and compression from surrounding freight during transport.
Professional packaging is widely recommended for artwork valued at over $1,000, where improper materials or handling can lead to costly damage. By using archival materials and engineered cushioning systems, Commerce Packaging helps galleries, artists, and collectors ship valuable works safely and confidently.
