Packaging your Artworks
When you sell an artwork on FastFrame Fine Art, it is your responsibility to pack it in such a way that it is well protected in transit. Quality packaging not only ensures that your artwork arrives in the best possible condition, but also that it is presented in the best possible way to the buyer. Using poor or inadequate packing materials could cost you if your artwork arrives with the buyer damaged. If the work is damaged as a result of poor packaging, you will be liable.
Your packing checklist:
• Pack the work carefully with quality packing materials, using the guidelines below.
• Take photos of the various stages of packaging. At a minimum you should take a photo of the final package and the shipping label.
• Do include a Certificate of Authenticity.
• Do not include invoices, personal details or marketing material. Sending these to a buyer goes against the FastFrame Fine Art Seller Terms.
Packaging Guidelines
For works on paper (rolled in a tube)
• Select a tube that fits the artwork well, allowing around 5cm either end for clearance and tube caps. If the tube is much bigger than the artwork's length rolled, cut the tube to size*.
• Place sheets of acid-free tissue paper to the front and back of the artwork and carefully roll to fit to the tube. Ensure the work is fully dry before completing this step.
• Seal the caps with tape to secure.
For works on paper (flat-packed)
• Protect the artwork on both sides with acid-free tissue paper.
• Create card corners and insert them onto the corners of the artwork (which should be wrapped in acid-free tissue paper first).
• Place the artwork between two sheets of MDF board (approximately 3 to 5 mm thick), cut to size approximately 10 cm larger than the artwork.
• Tape the corners of the card (avoiding taping the acid-free tissue paper itself) to the rear sheet of MDF, to prevent the artwork from moving inside the packaging during transport.
• Seal with fragile tape to all sides.
• Write on both sides of the package, clearly visible: "FRAGILE - DO NOT BEND".
For canvases (unstretched and rolled)
• Select a tube that fits the rolled canvas well, allowing around 5cm - 10cm either end for clearance and tube caps. If the tube is much bigger than the artwork's length rolled, cut the tube to size*.
• Place acid-free tissue paper to the front and back of the artwork and carefully roll to fit to the tube. Ensure the work is fully dry before completing this step.
• Seal the caps with tape to secure.
For canvases (stretched and flat-packed)
• Place acid-free tissue paper to the entire front surface of the canvas. Ensure the work is fully dry before completing this step.
• Protect the canvas with sufficient layers of bubble wrap (with the bubbles facing outwards) and foam wedges on each of the four corners.
• Place thick cardboard or a sheet of MDF the same size as the stretcher on each side. Always use very strong cardboard with a minimum of double or triple fluting that does not bend, or MDF of 3mm - 5mm thickness. This should be cut to size with a margin of 5cm to 10cm around the work.
• Seal with fragile tape to all sides.
• Write on both sides of the package, clearly visible: "FRAGILE - DO NOT BEND".