Packaging Guidelines

Proper packaging is essential to ensure your artwork arrives safely. Whether you're shipping a canvas painting, a work on paper, or a sculpture, following these guidelines will help protect your work in transit.

All aha! shipments are fully insured, but proper packaging is the first line of defense against damage. Taking a few extra minutes to pack carefully can make all the difference.

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Canvas Paintings

Canvas paintings are among the most commonly shipped artworks. Follow these steps for safe transit:

1. Protect the surface — Place a sheet of glassine or acid-free tissue paper over the painted surface. Never use bubble wrap directly against the paint.
2. Corner protectors — Attach cardboard corner protectors to all four corners of the stretcher bars.
3. Wrap in bubble wrap — Wrap the entire painting in at least two layers of bubble wrap, with the bubbles facing outward (away from the surface).
4. Use a rigid outer box — Place the wrapped painting in a double-walled cardboard box. The box should be at least 2 inches larger than the painting on all sides.
5. Fill void space — Use crumpled kraft paper or foam peanuts to fill any gaps. The painting should not shift when the box is gently shaken.
6. Seal securely — Tape all seams with packing tape. Mark the box "FRAGILE" and "THIS SIDE UP" with arrows.

For large canvases (over 36"): Consider building a simple cardboard sandwich — two pieces of rigid cardboard cut to size, taped around the wrapped canvas — before boxing.

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Works on Paper

Prints, drawings, watercolors, and photographs require special care due to their sensitivity to moisture and bending.

1. Interleave with glassine — Place acid-free glassine over the artwork surface.
2. Use a rigid backing — Sandwich the work between two pieces of acid-free foam board or rigid cardboard, slightly larger than the work.
3. Seal in plastic — Wrap the sandwich in a plastic bag or cling film to protect against moisture.
4. Box it up — Place the rigid sandwich in a sturdy box with padding on all sides.
5. Mark as flat — Label the box "DO NOT BEND" and "FRAGILE."

For framed works on paper: Follow the Framed Artwork guidelines below instead.

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Framed Artwork

Framed pieces with glass or acrylic glazing need extra attention to prevent breakage.

1. Tape the glass — Apply painter's tape in an X pattern across the glass or acrylic surface. This holds shards in place if the glass breaks during transit.
2. Protect the frame — Wrap the entire frame in bubble wrap, paying extra attention to the corners. Use cardboard corner protectors.
3. Build a mirror box — Use two telescoping cardboard boxes (one inside the other) for maximum protection. This is the gold standard for framed art shipping.
4. Pad all sides — Ensure at least 3 inches of padding between the frame and the outer box walls.
5. Stabilize — The piece should be completely immobile inside the box.

Pro tip: If you don't have a mirror box, many shipping stores can build one to your exact dimensions.

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Sculptures and 3D Works

Three-dimensional works require the most careful packaging approach.

1. Wrap fragile elements — Individually wrap any protruding or delicate elements with tissue paper, then bubble wrap.
2. Wrap the full piece — Cover the entire sculpture in multiple layers of bubble wrap.
3. Create a nest — Line a sturdy box with at least 4 inches of foam or crumpled paper on all sides.
4. Center the piece — Place the wrapped sculpture in the center of the box, ensuring it doesn't touch any walls.
5. Fill completely — Pack all remaining space tightly with foam, paper, or packing peanuts. There should be zero movement.
6. Double box if possible — For valuable or very fragile sculptures, place the inner box inside a larger outer box with additional padding between them.

For heavy sculptures (over 20 lbs): Use a wooden crate or reinforced double-walled box. Contact us at hello@aha.art for gallery crate recommendations.

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Quick Reference

Artwork Type	Key Protection	Minimum Padding	Special Notes
Canvas Paintings	Glassine + bubble wrap	2 inches all sides	Bubbles face outward
Works on Paper	Rigid sandwich + moisture barrier	2 inches all sides	Mark "DO NOT BEND"
Framed Artwork	Tape glass + mirror box	3 inches all sides	Corner protectors essential
Sculptures	Individual element wrapping	4 inches all sides	Double box for fragile pieces

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Insurance and Compliance

All artworks shipped through aha! are covered by our comprehensive shipping insurance. However, proper packaging is a requirement for insurance claims to be valid. If an artwork arrives damaged due to inadequate packaging, the insurance claim may be denied.

To ensure your insurance coverage is valid:

• Follow the packaging guidelines above for your artwork type
• Document the packaging process with photos (use aha! Capture)
• Use new, undamaged packing materials
• Ensure the outer box is in good condition with no holes or tears

If you have questions about packaging requirements for a specific work, or need a recommendation for professional packing services, contact us at hello@aha.art.

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Need Professional Help?

If you'd prefer to have your artwork professionally packed, we recommend:

• Your local art supply store — Many offer packing services
• aha! Gallery Crate — Our premium crating service for high-value works
• Professional art handlers — Contact us and we'll connect you with vetted handlers in your area

For questions about any of these guidelines, reach out to us at hello@aha.art or visit our FAQ and Shipping FAQ pages.