Packing work for shipment

When you pack your work, please remember that the way a work is packed will influence the collector's perception of the work. They have bought this work from Fountain Street, a gallery, and expect it to be professionally handled.

The buyer pays shipping costs, but packing materials are the responsibility of the artist. Factor them into your prices. For larger pieces that require crating, this will be quoted at the time of sale and will be charged to the buyer. 1stdibs manages crating when needed or requested by the buyer.

SUPPLIES

  • Glassine or acid-free archival tissue paper

  • Plastic sheeting, poly wrap or heavy plastic bag

  • Bubble wrap

  • Foam board (half inch thick)

  • Packing Tape

  • Cardboard corner protectors

  • Cardboard box

  • Mailing Label and Packing Slip (provided as a PDF for you to print)

HOW TO PACK ITEMS FOR DELIVERY

  • CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE BOX

    • Use a clean, new box. Shipping boxes and wooden crates are available at art supply and shipping stores in different sizes and dimensions. If you can’t find the right-sized box because of the unusual shape of the art, then select an artwork shipping case that best conforms to your artwork. Do not use recycled boxes from previous shipments as they lose their rigidity quickly. 

    • Use high-quality corrugated double-walled (275WT) shipping boxes (at a minimum). 

    • Check the manufacturing stamp of the box and look for its weight capacity and construction method. 

    • Don’t exceed the weight limit of the box, as overloaded boxes or crates are more difficult to handle and more prone to drops and tears that can damage the shipment.

    • Make sure you have a 2-inch clearance space on each side of the artwork at a minimum.

  • PACK YOUR WORK SECURELY

    • Take photos of your artwork before it goes in the box and at each step of the packing process. This protects you if the package is damaged in shipping.

    • Provide adequate cushioning for the item. Secure bubble wrap around the artwork or sculpture a minimum of 3X and carefully secure it with tape. 

    • Use clean, new proper packing materials including Bubble wrap, crinkle paper, plastic molds and bracing, corrugated cardboard dividers, blocks, and biodegradable packing peanuts. These specific packing materials will maintain their integrity during shipping and indicate the care taken for shipment to arrive safely.

    • Be sure to use only artist tape for delicate pieces. 

    • Seal any openings of the bubble wrap so that no seam is open. 

    • You can use extra bubble wrap to secure the middle of the piece and tape it to seal it completely

    • .Wrap individual items when placing more than one item in a box. Wrapping them individually will protect them from damaging each other. Also use a divider or inserts, when possible, to evenly distribute the weight.

    • Include personal thank you note on behalf of Fountain Street and yourself, using a Fountain Street notecard or your own personal notecard. DO NOT include your personal contact information, business card, etc. This order is from Fountain Street.

    • Tape your note and packing slip to the artwork so it doesn’t get lost in the packing material.

  • SEAL THE CARTON

    • After filling up the box, shake it gently before sealing it to check for any signs of movement. If you can feel the item/s inside shifting around, you need more cushioning to prevent them from breaking from the inside. Make sure there are at least two inches of allowance for the cushioning materials of your choice.

    • Leave no empty space as under-filled boxes can collapse if too much weight is on top of it. Filling the box up to the brim without overflowing helps increase its ability to withstand forces coming from the top.

    • Include a silica gel pack if your product is sensitive to moisture. Packages go through different locations and experience different moisture levels during shipping. Since moisture can be damaging to a lot of consumer goods, it is crucial to deliver products in good condition to your customers around the world.

    • Tape box with “H” method (cover all seams with packing tape to prevent moisture from entering). Seams are simply part of the box but can become a weak point when a load is placed on the box. Seal them properly with enough tape to create a suit of armor for the item/s inside.


  • ATTACH SHIPPING LABEL, TAKE PACKAGE TO CARRIER

    • Print Mailing Label and Packing Slip provided by 1stdibs. 1STDIBS insures the artwork in transit provided it has been packed appropriately.

    • Tape Mailing Label to box and deliver to appropriate carrier.

    • International packages may require a customs form (which will be provided by 1stdibs), which should be printed in capital letters and filled out completely before pickup.