What Art Consultants Need to Know About Shipping and Packing Art
Art consultants are an interesting group – part art gallery, part trend-watcher, part sales person, they act as the middleman between art collectors and artists to facilitate sales, often in bulk. By coordinating these sales (often for large corporations, museums, or interior designers), art consultants’ jobs are certainly multifaceted and fast-paced. It’s essential for art consultants to not only be constantly connected to their network of buyers and artists, but to ensure the safe arrival of every piece of art bought.
When it comes to shipping artwork, there are definitely some things that every art consultant should know. Here are a few tips about what art consultants need to know about shipping and packing art to ensure complete customer satisfaction.
Image: Chicago Art Magazine
Choose the Right Container
Are you shipping a flat painting or a large-scale sculpture? The piece will dictate the shipping container used. Do you need a pallet, custom-built crate, or will a box do the trick? Selecting the proper shipping container is imperative to minimize the risk of damage.
When in Doubt, More Padding!
Shipping artwork – especially original artwork - is unlike shipping contracts or regular postal packages. Not only are the contents monetarily valuable, they are irreplaceable to the artist and recipient. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so make sure that your artwork is properly secured in its shipping container. Once you think you have enough padding, add more!
Know the Ultimate Destination
Is the artwork headed to a world-class museum or the private residence of an art collector? Many art shipping companies, including Navis, offer white glove delivery for when presentation counts. Plus, you’ll need to ensure that the artwork gets there safely and on-time, so be sure to select the proper shipping time for domestic and international art shipping.
Trust the Professionals
You know about art. Navis knows about art shipping. Let them handle your crating, packing, shipping, and international art shipping needs. Check out some of the amazing items that Navis has been trusted with transporting and call (800) 344-3528 to schedule your next art shipment today!
To find out even more about what art consultants do, check out Barbara Markoff’s art consulting handbook Becoming a Corporate Art Consultant - the Handbook for Corporate Art Consultation. It’s a fantastic resource for art consultants everywhere, covering important topics like finding artists via networking, how to install, and even walking through sales scenarios. Other resources include the LinkedIn Art Consulting Group as well as Who Knows Art, self-described as a “consultant to visual artists and arts organizations”.
