A Guide To Moving Your Expensive Artwork Safely

Moving artwork requires care and proper planning to ensure that masterpieces remain safe and secure during the whole moving process. Today, museum owners regularly move priceless historical artifacts and other artwork between locations. Collectors of prized artwork may also relocate their assets from time to time. So, how do professional movers handle these types of moving assignments? Here is a guide to help you move expensive artwork safely.

Customized Shipping

Whether the moving of artwork involves a museum or a private collector, everyone involved in the moving process needs to pay close attention to customizing the packing, handling, and shipping of the masterpieces. Valuable artwork does not come in a standard dimension and size. The items may weigh thousands of pounds, come in the form of bulky statues, or are made of fragile materials that may easily get damaged if not properly handled. In general, professional movers pre-plan for the moving process in advance to understand the different demands of a certain type of artwork. If an artwork needs a custom crate or container, it will be arranged beforehand even if it means using a temperature-controlled vessel.

Confidentiality and Security Management

Those involved in moving valuable artwork are also responsible to maintain the confidentiality revolving around the transportation route. This is because expensive artwork may be the target of thieves and as professional movers, they need to ensure the security of each piece of art. Appropriate security measures need to be implemented to discourage potential theft. Should an unfortunate event still occur, those involved in the transportation process will be held liable for the losses.

Diversifying Risk

Another important consideration is to move artwork in different stages. Professional movers are equipped with extensive industry skills and knowledge so they are able to tell if moving artwork in stages is essential to prevent damages. A single piece of artwork may also be arranged to be shipped in various modes of transportation depending on its size and dimensions. If a single shipment will not cut it, several collection dates may need to be arranged. Arrangements to monitor the humidity and temperature of the shipping container will also be done.

 

Packing Framed Artwork

For paintings with expensive frames, you need to ensure they are protected with safety objects like corners made of cardboard. The corners will keep the frames secure as they are being transported in boxes. To prevent the frames from moving about inside the boxes, wadded paper can be placed at the bottom of the boxes underneath the artwork. Any remaining spaces at the top and by the side of the artwork can also be filled with bubble wrap or packing peanuts to keep the frames in place.

Packing Sculptures

Packing sculptures of various sizes and dimensions can be highly challenging. They need to be properly protected through the use of efficient packing. Sculptures are often uneven in shape so they are much more complicated to pack. If they are not properly packed, they may also be exposed to higher risks of damage. You can use cling wrap to protect the finish of the sculpture before wrapping a layer of bubble wrap.
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