Shipping Guidelines for Artworks

We know that shipping artwork can be a pain, but with proper packaging technique and safety measures, you can ensure that the piece arrives to its buyer in perfect condition. To help, we’ve put together some guidelines for packaging and shipping that will help you ensure your works are protected in transit.

How does shipping work at Cohart?

In addition to covering payment processing, authentication, and support, Cohart manages the shipping process for you.

When you make a sale, we will provide you with shipping labels and the documentation that you need to ship your artwork domestically or internationally. We work with the courier to schedule a time to pick up your package from your studio, or, you can drop the artwork off on your own at a local depot.

All artworks shipped with Cohart are fully insured. That said, packaging your artwork appropriately is the best way to prevent against a damaged artwork.

Packaging Your Artwork

<aside> ⚠️ Before you package up your work, don’t forget to sign and date your piece!

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Choose the Right Shipping Materials

Choosing the right shipping materials is the first step towards sending your artwork safely. It’s important to use high-quality tubes, boxes or crates, cushioning materials, and packing tape. While this may be more costly than using lower-quality materials, the price difference is minimal compared to the cost of a damaged artwork.

Your local post office will have some of these materials on hand, or you can purchase as needed or in bulk from a company like U-Line.

Packing Rolled Canvas Artworks

Find a cardboard or plastic shipping tube that’s 6 inches/ cm longer than the shortest side of your canvas.
Lay your canvas flat on a clean surface. Ensure there is no dust or debris on the canvas.
Cut a piece of acid-free paper or glassine that’s an inch or two larger than the canvas on each side. You can also use multiple sheets of glassine if needed.
Lay the glassine on top of the painted side of your canvas, and fold the overhanging glassine loosely around the edges of the canvas.
Starting from the short side of your canvas, roll the canvas and the glassine in toward itself, to form a tube.
Wrap the rolled artwork in bubble wrap. Cut out 2 additional squares of bubble wrap and lay them over the top and bottom of the tube. Fold the bubble wrap down over the edges of the rolled artwork and secure with a rubber band.
Cut out two pieces of cardboard from a box, at least 3 inches wide, and long enough to wrap once around your rolled artwork. Roll the cardboard around the doubly bubble-wrapped top and bottom of the rolled artwork, and tape the cardboard to itself, and to the bubblewrap.