Packaging your Artworks

When you sell an artwork on Rise 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 (to email to our team for Rise Art Managed Shipping cover, or for your own insurance purposes for Seller Managed Shipping).
  • Do include a Certificate of Authenticity.
  • Do not include invoices, personal details or marketing material. Sending these to a buyer goes against the Rise 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".

For framed artwork**

  • Protect the framed artwork 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".

For sculptures

  • Wrap the work in sufficient layers of bubble wrap (with the bubbles facing outwards).
  • Tie everything together with heavy duty tape so that the packaging conforms to the shape of the sculpture.
  • Place the sculpture at the bottom of a reinforced double or triple flute cardboard box or, better still, in a wooden crate
  • Secure the sculpture with firm foam or dunnage to prevent any movement
  • Make sure that the sculpture is completely wedged and immobilised inside the parcel, with padding all around.
  • Mark the package / crate on the lower end "DOWN" and the upper end "UP" and add the words "FRAGILE" clearly visible on all sides.

*We charge the customer for shipping based on the dimensions, weight, packaging method and other information you provide about your artwork. If the information you have provided regarding your artwork is incorrect or you have packaged it in such a way that the packaged artwork is larger than necessary, and this leads to us undercharging the buyer for shipping, we will deduct the difference in shipping cost from your commission.

**Artworks with frames supplied by the artist and/or containing glass are not covered in transit under Rise Art Managed Shipping.

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