Cheapest Way to Ship Framed Art

Cheapest Way to Ship Framed Art

September 6, 2024

Art Shipping

Discover the cheapest way to ship framed art without compromising safety and reliability. Whether you’re an artist or collector, knowing how to ship art efficiently and affordably is crucial. This guide offers cost-effective strategies to protect and send framed pieces internationally, ensuring your artwork arrives in pristine condition, especially when shipping from China to the US.

For those shipping internationally, one of the most critical factors to consider is the shipping cost. The choice between parcel and freight shipping for framed art depends on the size of the artwork and personal preferences. However, it’s essential to remember that the cheapest way to ship framed art isn’t always about choosing the least expensive shipping method.

A major aspect of reducing shipping costs lies in properly packing your artwork. Fragile pieces require additional care, and proper packaging can save you from damages and high insurance fees. By following expert packing and shipping advice, you can ship art at a lower cost while ensuring the safety of your valuable pieces.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to ship art confidently, knowing how to optimize costs without compromising on the safety of your framed masterpieces.

Best Way To Ship Art

The best way to ship art is by choosing a reliable shipping method and ensuring proper packaging. Start by wrapping the artwork with bubble wrap or protective material to avoid scratches. For framed pieces, use a sturdy box with padding. Smaller pieces can be shipped with USPS, while larger artworks may require FedEx or UPS. Alternatively, consider Topshipping for a trusted and cost-effective solution. They specialize in safely transporting art worldwide. Don’t forget to insure your package and label it “fragile” for careful handling during transit, ensuring your art arrives safely and securely.

Best Way To Ship Art

The Cheapest Way to Ship Framed Artwor

Discover effective strategies to ship your framed artwork without breaking the bank. To find the cheapest way to ship art prints, consider these essential tips:

Use Shipping Software:

Leverage online tools that offer discounted shipping rates. Platforms like Shippo can provide access to USPS commercial pricing and offer discounts up to 80%. This approach can significantly lower costs and is often the cheapest way to ship art prints.

Optimize Packaging:

Prioritize using high-quality, lightweight packaging materials to protect your artwork while minimizing size and weight. Efficient packaging not only ensures the safety of your art but also reduces shipping expenses. For the best results, consider professional packaging services that specialize in artwork.

Insurance:

Protect your investment by insuring your shipment against damage, theft, or loss during transit. While it adds a small cost upfront, it can save you from significant losses, making it a wise component of the cheapest way to ship art prints strategy.

Ship with USPS:

For smaller artworks, USPS offers cost-effective options with quick delivery times—typically within 1-3 business days for first-class packages. Their rates are competitive, especially for domestic shipping.

Negotiate Prices:

Don’t hesitate to negotiate prices when purchasing shipping services or supplies. Securing lower rates can further reduce your overall costs.

By implementing these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to ship your art prints efficiently and affordably, ensuring they arrive safely at their destination.

For highly valuable shipments, it is recommended to use FedEx or UPS

For highly valuable shipments, it is recommended to use FedEx or UPS.

Apparently, you cannot ship large artworks via courier services as it becomes very costly. Some shipping companies, like FedEx or UPS for shipping art, limit the size of items, leaving freight shipping as the only option for oversized pieces. Shipping framed art through freight can cost around $500, depending on the artwork’s size. If the piece isn’t too large, air freight is an option, but ocean freight is generally cheaper. While FedEx or UPS for shipping art is ideal for smaller items, Topshipping offers a reliable alternative for large artworks, providing cost-effective freight solutions tailored to your needs.

How to Ship Framed Art

Before shipping framed artwork, you have to package the item in the best way possible. The materials required for packaging include bubble wrap, scissors, glassine sheets, corner protectors, cardboard sheets, styrofoam balls, framed art shipping boxes, wooden crates, stickers, glass masks, and other protective items. Using framed art shipping boxes ensures your artwork fits securely, reducing the risk of damage during transit. Proper packaging is key to safely delivering your framed artwork to its destination.

 How Do You Package Framed Art For Shipping?

First, select a box size that fits the artwork perfectly—not too large or too small. For shipping large framed art, package each piece in a separate box if necessary. If you’re transporting framed artwork with glass, mark an ‘X’ on the glass using masking tape. This precaution helps prevent the glass from shattering completely in case of damage. For pieces without glass, wrap the frame in palette wrap or kitchen plastic wrap to protect the painted surface.

Lay the artwork on a flat surface and wrap it with packaging paper that’s twice its size. Secure it with tape to prevent shifting. For extra protection, wrap the package in bubble wrap, making sure the bubbles face outward. If you’re wondering how to ship picture frames with glass, wrapping each piece individually ensures better protection.

To avoid damage to the corners, use cardboard corner protectors. These not only guard the edges but also provide stability during transit. Afterward, place the artwork in the box and test for movement. If there is any, fill gaps with crumpled newspaper or additional bubble wrap to prevent shifting.

Seal the box thoroughly and label it with stickers like “FRAGILE” or “DON’T BEND” to signal careful handling. The best way to ship a framed painting is to load it onto the truck or shipping vessel with the artwork on its edge to prevent pressure. By packing the piece between heavier items, you ensure stability during shipping.

With these steps, you’ll know how to ship a framed painting or any large artwork securely and efficiently.

What shipping method should be used to ship framed art?

What shipping method should be used to ship framed art?

As a shipper, it is your responsibility to decide the shipping method for your shipment. So, what should you consider when choosing a shipping method for your goods?

  1. What the company specializes in: Some companies are well-known for shipping fragile items. Since framed artworks are delicate, consider choosing such a company.
  2. Transit insurance coverage: It is necessary to get insurance for your goods. Some shipping companies include insurance fees in their overall shipping fees. This means that you do not have to get insurance from external sources. In this case, the company will be responsible for handling any damage or loss.
  3. Shipping costs: Shipping methods have varying shipping rates. This is because they provide different services; for example, some shipping methods guarantee fast delivery of goods, while others do not. So, you will choose the shipping method that offers rates within your budget.
  4. Delivery speed: Shipping companies offer varying transit times. You should choose a shipping method depending on the urgency of the goods. For urgent goods, you will have to pay more for delivery. Delivery speed can range from 1 day to 2 weeks, depending on the option you choose.
  5. Distance: How far is the final destination from the origin? Are you shipping locally or internationally? Companies like DHL specialize in international shipping. Therefore, it is uncommon to use DHL to transport goods within a country.
  6. Customs clearance: This is a crucial step in shipping. So, before choosing a shipping company, you should know what is needed and how to perform customs clearance.

How To Send Shipping Large Art?

To ship large canvas at a cost-friendly price, consider taking off the frame and shipping it separately. Ship the canvas in a tube and consider getting the painting restretched. If the canvas has glass material, remove it and pack it separately. Proper packaging will guarantee the safe arrival of the canvas. To offer maximum protection to the canvas, use the double-box method. This way, the canvas is less likely to break.

Is It Expensive To Ship a Painting?

Shipping a painting can be expensive. This is because a lot is put in to ensure that the artwork is delivered as intended, that is, with no damage. The packaging alone can be very costly if you use high-quality materials. These materials are definitely expensive.

Another factor that makes shipping a painting expensive is the need for insurance. Getting insurance for your goods is highly advocated for. A lot can happen during the transportation of goods. Your painting can get lost or damaged, or even worse, natural calamities like earthquakes can occur, causing the ship to sink. In such unfortunate occurrences, what will you do? Well, insurance will be of great help. The insurance cover will cater to these costs, so you will not experience much loss.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Painting?

The shipping cost for a painting depends on several factors. These factors are:

  1. Weight of the artwork: The heavier the painting, the higher the shipping rates.
  2. Dimensions of the painting: The bigger the painting, the higher the shipping cost.
  3. Shipping method: Parcel shipping is more expensive than freight shipping.
  4. Transit time: The shorter the shipping time, the higher the rates.
  5. Transit insurance: The type of insurance coverage you get will influence the final shipping cost.
  6. Packing method: How you pack your artwork and the materials you use will determine the shipping cost.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Painting USPS?

Shipping artwork via USPS is cost-friendly, especially when the shipment is small. USPS shipping rates start at $5 for small prints. For medium prints, the shipping price ranges from $10 to $50. Large-print shipping costs more than $50.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A 16×20 Painting?

A 16×20 painting is large and cannot fit into any of the of the available box sizes. So, how much does a 16×20 painting weigh? It weighs 1.15 pounds, and the package dimensions are 19.7 x 15.8 x 0.2 inches.

With UPS, the shipping cost is $25.

In conclusion, shipping framed artwork is mainly about optimizing the packaging and choosing the most appropriate shipping methods. This way, you will unequivocally get the cheapest shipping rates for your framed artwork

How Much Does It Cost To Ship Framed Artwork?

Shipping framed artwork costs vary based on size, weight, distance, and the shipping company. For small, lightweight pieces, USPS can charge between $10 to $50. Larger or heavier pieces shipped through FedEx or UPS might cost $50 to $200 domestically, and more for international shipments. Packaging and insurance also add to the cost. Insurance usually costs about 1-3% of the artwork’s value, while packing can add $20 to $100. The farther the destination, the higher the cost.

Ship Framed Art FAQ's

  • Use shipping software to access discounts
  • Optimize packaging for safety and size
  • Get insurance to avoid losses
  • Consider using USPS for small artworks
  • Negotiate prices

USPS offers affordable rates and expeditious delivery times for international shipping.

Wrap the frame in packaging paper, bubble wrap, and cardboard corner protectors. Pack it securely in a box, adding padding if necessary.

The weight and dimensions of the painting, shipping method, transit time, transit insurance, and packing method all influence shipping costs.

Shipping rates start at $5 for small prints and range from $10 to over $50 for larger prints.

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Top Shipping

Topshipping's team, led by industry veteran Topshipping, boasts over a decade of experience in freight and cargo. Renowned for their expertise and reliability, each member excels in areas like transportation management, customs regulations, and distribution. Our standout feature is our collaborative spirit, ensuring the best solutions for clients through effective teamwork. More than just experts, we are dedicated professionals committed to transforming shipping operations and making a real difference for their clients.
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