You’ve finished your artwork, and someone has fallen in love with it. Now comes the final, crucial step: getting it safely into their hands. Whether you’re shipping across town or across the world, your goal is to protect your art while creating a memorable unboxing experience.
Follow these five simple steps to ship your artwork with confidence, care, and creativity.
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1 - Prints vs. Originals
Before you even reach for packing tape, decide how to handle your artwork based on what it is.
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Prints are easier and lighter to ship. Use rigid mailers with backing boards or roll them in sturdy mailing tubes with protective sleeves.
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Originals need extra care. Their texture, paint layers, and varnish make them more fragile. Use layers of padding, corner protectors, and sturdy boxes that can handle movement and pressure. *To save cost, create your own custom boxes with loose cardboard sheet panels.
2 - Gather the Right Packing Materials
Good packing materials are an investment in your reputation as a professional artist. Here’s what to have on hand:
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Glassine paper or acid-free tissue to protect the surface
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Cardboard corners to guard the edges
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Bubble wrap for safe cushioning
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Rigid mailers or sturdy boxes, depending on your artwork’s type
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Packing tape, “Fragile” stickers, and clear address labels
Avoid using newspaper or any materials that could smudge or damage your art.
3 - Choose the Best Shipping Option
For USA Shipping: Domestic shipping is usually simple. USPS, UPS, and FedEx all provide tracking and insurance. For most artists, PirateShip.com is the best place to compare rates and print discounted USPS or UPS labels. It’s fast, easy, and offers some of the lowest prices available.
For Overseas Shipping: When shipping internationally, take time to research customs forms, tariffs, and taxes. Each country has its own import rules. Choose Priority or Express International options to reduce handling time and risk. Always declare your artwork’s value honestly and insure it for the full amount.
4 - Personalize and Beautify the Experience
Unboxing your artwork should feel like an experience, a moment of connection between artist and collector. Think of it as the final touch of your creative process.
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Add a thank-you note or a short story about the piece.
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Include a business card or link to your website and social media.
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Use branded tissue paper, ribbon, or stickers to make the presentation feel special.
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Consider adding a light scent, a wax seal, or a handwritten message for a personal touch.
You’re not just shipping an item; you’re sending a memory that collectors will cherish.
5 - Add Professional Details: Certificate of Sale and Final Check
A Certificate of Sale adds professionalism and credibility to your work. Include the title, medium, size, date, edition number if applicable, and your signature. Print it on cardstock and place it in a clear sleeve or envelope inside the package.
*If you’d like to go a step further with your prints, you can pair a certificate of sale with a certificate of authenticity, which verifies that the artwork is your original creation. Add painted embellishments to your prints for added uniqueness and value.
Before sealing, review this quick checklist:
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✅ Wrapped in acid-free paper
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✅ Cushioned with bubble wrap and corner protectors
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✅ COA and thank-you note included
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✅ Box sealed securely with all labels visible
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✅ Tracking and insurance confirmed
Ship With Confidence
Shipping your artwork doesn’t have to be stressful. With these five steps—knowing your artwork type, packing carefully, choosing the best shipping service, personalizing the experience, and adding professional touches—you’ll send your art safely and beautifully every time.
Your package is more than protection. It’s a reflection of your artistry, care, and passion, ready to travel from your studio to the world.
When collectors receive your piece beautifully packaged, they feel the heart behind it. Ready to take your art career even further? Discover How to Create Authentic Art That Sells and learn how to share your true creative voice with the world.
