Introduction
Shipping a painting — whether it's a canvas, panel, or framed piece — requires more care than a standard parcel. Artwork is irreplaceable, and even minor transit damage can be devastating. The good news? With the right box, packing a painting safely is much simpler than you might think.
Museumpak art shipping boxes are purpose-built for artwork, featuring an adaptable foam interior that moulds to the shape of your piece. This means no bubble wrap, no corner protectors, and no loose fill material needed — the foam does all the work.
Step 1: Choose the Right Box Size
The most important decision is selecting a box that fits your artwork. You want the painting to sit snugly within the foam interior without forcing it in. Museumpak offers four sizes to cover most standard artwork dimensions:
- Small Art Shipping Box — ideal for smaller works and studies
- Medium Art Shipping Box — suits most standard framed paintings
- Large Art Shipping Box — for larger canvases and oversized frames
- Extra Large Art Shipping Box — for very large or panoramic works
Check the internal dimensions of each box against your artwork's measurements (including the frame) before ordering. When in doubt, size up.
Step 2: Protect the Surface
For canvases or panels without glass, lay a sheet of glassine or acid-free tissue paper directly over the painted surface before placing it in the box. This prevents any direct contact between the paint and the foam.
For framed paintings with glass, it's good practice to apply painter's tape in a cross pattern over the glass. This holds any shards in place if the glass were to break in transit.
Step 3: Place the Artwork in the Box
Open the Museumpak box and place your artwork into the foam interior. The foam is designed to adapt to the contours of your piece, cushioning it on all sides and preventing movement during transit. There is no need to add bubble wrap, corner protectors, or void fill — the foam interior handles all of this.
Close the box and ensure it shuts flush. If the lid doesn't close easily, your artwork may be slightly too large for that size — move up to the next size.
Step 4: Seal and Label
Seal all seams with strong packing tape, applying at least three strips along the top seam and reinforcing the corners. Label the box clearly with "FRAGILE – ARTWORK – THIS SIDE UP" on multiple sides so handlers know to take care.
Step 5: Document Before You Ship
Always photograph the artwork and the sealed box before handing it over to the carrier. This is essential evidence for any insurance claim if damage occurs in transit. Declare the correct value when booking your shipment and purchase appropriate transit insurance.
That's It
With a Museumpak box, packing a painting safely takes just a few minutes. No specialist materials, no complicated wrapping — just place, close, seal, and ship.
Browse the full range of Museumpak art shipping boxes to find the right size for your artwork.