Shipping Art Guide for Art Collectors

Have you ever wanted to buy original art online, but are worried about getting it couriered or shipped to your home. Will it be safe? Will it get damaged? How is it packaged? Is the artist a legit artist? Well, in this guide I will answer all these questions for you.

As a full time Australian artist that has been shipping hundreds of original artworks and prints around the world since 2017 I can assure you it is a very safe and secure option. I have hundreds of happy art collectors around the world and many also become repeat buyers and add to their growing collections over the years.

Let me talk you through the major concerns...

1. Is it safe?

Yes it is a very safe way of transporting original art. I use a variety of well known carriers depending on where it is going and the size of the artwork. These include Australia Post, DHL, UPS, TNT Express, Startrack. All very well known and trusted courier companies.

2. Will it get damaged?

As with anything you order online via some sort of mail, there is always a small risk of damage which is extremely rare and out of my control. Saying that, the odds are very unlikely, 99.9% of the time your artwork will arrive in perfect condition. If it is damaged then contact me straight away as I will help you with a solution as quickly as possible.

I like to add that I have only had to deal with one unfortunate damage case that went to the UK in my very early years of being an artist. The painting was sent stretched and was packaged extremely well but it and got crushed by something enormous. Lucky the stretcher bars were the only damage, the canvas/artwork was intact. So I had it restretched (at my cost) at their local framers. The customer was very grateful and loved their artwork. I would also like to add that I no longer send original artworks stretched overseas, it goes rolled in a sturdy tube, so this will never happen again. 

3. Is the artwork insured?

Yes, I insure all original artworks to cover their time in transit from my studio to your front door. You do not have to do anything. This allows for extra peace of mind when purchasing your piece. There is no extra cost for you as the art collector, I cover this cost.

4. How do I know I am buying from a legit artist/business?

I suggest you check out the artists website first and foremost, then have a look at their social media posts and generally just have a good look around. Usually this is enough to show you they are legit and not a scam. If anything seems a bit off or weird then listen to your gut on that one.

Even contact the artist and have a chat about your concerns. If there is no contact details etc then that could be a big red flag. I am always happy to answer any of your questions. You can contact me via my Instagram, Facebook, website contact page and email. I respond very quickly, mostly within 2 hours (unless I am asleep of course). 

5. How is it packaged?

OK, I will take you through my process of packaging my original artworks. 

Firstly I wrap layers of bubble wrap around the artwork. I also include an envelope package to the collector with the certificate of authenticity, business card, thank you note and greeting card.

Then I either make a box out of sturdy double walled cardboard or I do have some ready made sturdy boxes that I use. These boxes are basically two lids that slot together so the walls of the boxes are reinforced with that additional layer all the way around. The artwork goes in the box, with the certificate of authenticity and the lid is securely put on.

Then I tape up the box around all with lots and lots of tape to tape down the sides and edges. I use a combination of clear tape and also fragile tape. The lid is fastened tight and secure at this stage.

The final stage is for me to add the address label and organise the courier/Australia Post. You will get emailed a tracking link at this stage, so you can also track your artworks journey to you. 

6. Shipping artworks overseas.

I am based in Australia and all my Australian collectors will receive their original artworks boxed (as pictured above). So they are ready to hang when you receive them (unless previously discussed).

When it comes to shipping artworks overseas, then I take the artworks off the stretcher bars and carefully roll the canvas up. It then gets wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in a sturdy cardboard or pvc pipe tubing. The ends are capped and taped up well with clear and fragile tape. When you receive the artwork then you will need to take it to your local framers to get it stretched and ready to hang in your home. Please select 'International shipping' option at checkout, as you will see I have kindly discounted the cost for you, to compensate for the fact you will need to pay for this restretching. 

7. Still got questions?

Then feel free to send me a message, I am always happy to answer any of your concerns. x