How to move expensive artwork safely?

You might be dealing with quite a lot of stress when trying to relocate with an expensive painting as one of your items. These require you to be extra careful about the shipping methods you use, as well as how you pack each painting. By damaging them, you can ruin both their monetary and esthetic value. Therefore, you should prepare carefully to move expensive artwork safely. Luckily, you do not have to wander too far to find out how to do it. Homegrown Moving and Storage Company Colorado is here to help. In this article, we take a look at how to relocate your paintings without damaging them. From preparing them for transport to picking the right box, we go through each of the steps that will ensure you can proudly present your masterpiece in your new home.

Carefully consider how you wrap your expensive artwork

Not to get you anxious – but there are a couple of things that can go wrong while you are transporting the painting. You can damage the glass, as well as the painting itself. The colors can fade if exposed to too much light or some substances, and the frame can break as well. Therefore, we recommend that you hire professional packing services Denver to do this for you or you will need to take steps that will protect each of these separately.

When it comes to the glass, you will want to use masking tape to make an X across the whole surface. Sometimes, you might even consider adding a “cross sign” over this so that it expands in eight different directions. This way, you will protect the glass from shattering completely. If it breaks, it should still stay in place instead of poking holes in the canvas. However, a thing to keep in mind here is not to use any sticky tape, like duct tape or packing tape. Instead, use masking or painter’s tape, since there do not leave ugly marks behind. Of course, you will not do this if your painting isn’t in its frame, protected by glass.

Protect the canvas to move expensive artwork safely

Then, you will want to use a layer of glassine paper to protect your painting. It is a non-stick packing supply that will help you protect the painting from dirt as well as moisture – which can ruin a painting. Inquire about this when getting your moving quotes Denver. If the movers don’t have it, you will want to get your own. Cut a layer of the paper so that it is 2 inches longer than your painting in all directions. This way, you can wrap it around the canvas when packing it.

You will want to put a cushioning material on your packing table, and then glassine paper over it. Then, lay the painting face down on the paper, but make sure you are not pressing it down too hard. Do it gently and center it so that you can wrap the paper around the sides of the canvas.

After that, you can simply tape the glassine paper to the back of the canvas with your tape once more. Make sure you use painter’s tape once more – and not too much of it. Just like regular tape can stain the glass, it can also damage the canvas, too. Then, add some padding material that you will wrap the painting in and you are ready.

How to pick the right box to move expensive artwork safely

Finding the right size of the box is generally easy. You measure the diameter of the painting and look for a box of a similar size. You can even make a cardboard box of your own. However, there are things to remember. First, you will want to use one box per painting. Also, similarly to leaving some room when cutting out glassine paper, you will want to leave at least 2 in of space on all sides of the painting when getting the box too. However, you will not be wrapping the box around the canvas as you did with the glassine paper. Instead, you will use cushioning materials to protect your painting further.

For example, a thing you can do to protect the frame is to create cardboard corners. You can do this by cutting 2 strips of cardboard and taping them together. Make sure they are the same width as the canvas. Then, cut two triangles that will go in the corners of the two strips. This way, you can easily slide what you made onto the corner. By doing so, you add an extra layer of protection so that you won’t damage the frame during the trip. Usually, the corners are the most critical part – and you will want to protect them.

When it comes to picking the padding, you can really use anything. However, the bubble pack is usually the best. Air bubbles reduce vibrations and turbulence and keep the painting in one place during the trip. Therefore, you will want to wrap the painting in it so that it fills up the extra space you left in the box. You should also lay out a sheet of bubble pack on the bottom for extra protection.

How to load the painting into your box

Finally, you have to be careful when loading the painting into the box as well. There is the best way to pack a box for each item, and respecting these rules will ensure you move expensive artwork safely. With the wrapping secured, you will want to slowly slide the painting into your box. The open side of the box should be facing up, and then you lower the painting into the box. But watch out – you do not want to just drop it and damage it this way. If you need, make sure you get help – cause doing this right will inform the safety of the painting during the move.