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      Shipping Guidelines

      We know that shipping artwork can be a pain, but with proper packaging technique and safety measures, you can ensure that the piece arrives to its buyer in perfect condition.

      To help, we’ve put together some guidelines for packaging and shipping that will help you ensure your works are protected in transit.

      How does shipping work at Cohart?

      In addition to covering payment processing, authentication, and support, Cohart manages the shipping process for you.

      When you make a sale, we will provide you with shipping labels and the documentation that you need to ship your artwork domestically or internationally. We work with the courier to schedule a time to pick up your package from your studio, or, you can drop the artwork off on your own at a local depot.

      All artworks shipped with Cohart are fully insured. That said, packaging your artwork appropriately is the best way to prevent against a damaged artwork.

      Packaging Your Artwork

      ⚠️ Before you package up your work, don’t forget to sign and date your piece!

      Choose the Right Shipping Materials

      Choosing the right shipping materials is the first step towards sending your artwork safely. It’s important to use high-quality tubes, boxes or crates, cushioning materials, and packing tape. While this may be more costly than using lower-quality materials, the price difference is minimal compared to the cost of a damaged artwork.

      Your local post office will have some of these materials on hand, or you can purchase as needed or in bulk from a company like U-Line.

      Packing Rolled Canvas Artworks

      1. Find a cardboard or plastic shipping tube that’s 6 inches/ cm longer than the shortest side of your canvas.

      2. Lay your canvas flat on a clean surface. Ensure there is no dust or debris on the canvas.

      3. Cut a piece of acid-free paper or glassine that’s an inch or two larger than the canvas on each side. You can also use multiple sheets of glassine if needed.

      4. Lay the glassine on top of the painted side of your canvas, and fold the overhanging glassine loosely around the edges of the canvas.

      5. Starting from the short side of your canvas, roll the canvas and the glassine in toward itself, to form a tube.

      6. Wrap the rolled artwork in bubble wrap. Cut out 2 additional squares of bubble wrap and lay them over the top and bottom of the tube. Fold the bubble wrap down over the edges of the rolled artwork and secure with a rubber band.

      7. Cut out two pieces of cardboard from a box, at least 3 inches wide, and long enough to wrap once around your rolled artwork. Roll the cardboard around the doubly bubble-wrapped top and bottom of the rolled artwork, and tape the cardboard to itself, and to the bubblewrap.

      8. Wrap the rolled artwork in a plastic sheet or bag to ensure your work is protected against moisture. Tape the plastic closed on either end to keep it air tight.

        You can include any additional materials intended for the buyer, such as a “thank you card” or your certificate of authenticity, inside the plastic bag.

      9. Put the wrapped and rolled artwork into the shipping tube. If there’s extra room put extra padding at the bottom and top of the tube to ensure a snug fit. This prevents the artwork from moving around inside the tube during shipping, which can lead to damage.

      10. Tape the shipping tube caps closed with several layers of packing tape. Adhere your shipping label to the outside and tape over the shipping label so it doesn’t accidentally get ripped off during shipping. You’re all set!

      Packing Framed or Stretched Artworks

      💡 When framing works for shipping, consider using plexi instead of glass, to reduce the risk of the artwork arriving damaged. Glass can not only break in transit, but shards can then further damage your artwork, as well as present a hazard upon opening.

      1. Choose a box or crate that is 3 inches larger than your artwork on all sides — height, width and depth.

      2. Lay your artwork flat on a clean surface. Ensure there is no dust or debris on the artwork.

      3. Wrap the entire artwork in acid-free paper or glassine, covering all sides.

      4. Wrap the entire artwork, including the edges, with 2 layers of bubble wrap or foam sheets. Make sure that the artwork is fully covered, and there are no gaps or spaces. The bubble wrap or foam sheets will provide cushioning and prevent any movement of the artwork inside the box.

      5. Cut out 4 additional squares of bubble wrap. Fold and tape them around each corner for extra protection.

      6. Create 4 corner protectors, and attach 1 to each corner with tape. Here’s a video showing you how you can create corner protectors from cardboard.

      7. Wrap the entire artwork in a plastic sheet or bag to ensure your work is protected against moisture. Tape the plastic closed on either end to keep it air tight. You can include any additional materials intended for the buyer, such as a “thank you card” or your certificate of authenticity, inside the plastic.

      8. Put the wrapped artwork into the box or crate. Make sure that the artwork is not touching the sides or top of the box. If there are gaps, fill the empty spaces with padding (more bubble wrap or foam) to ensure a snug fit. This prevents the artwork from moving around inside the tube during shipping, which can lead to damage.

      9. Tape your box shut, or nail/screw your crate closed so that it’s securely sealed. Adhere your shipping label to the outside and tape over the shipping label so it doesn’t accidentally get ripped off during shipping. You’re all set!

      Packing Sculptures or Objects

      1. Find a box or crate large enough to fit your object with at least 3 inches of space on all sides.
      2. Wrap the top half of your sculpture or object twice with bubble wrap. Secure the bubble wrap to itself with tape. Cut another piece of bubble wrap and overlap it so it covers the top of the sculpture. Secure it with tape, ensuring you apply tape only to the bubble wrap and not the sculpture.
      3. Wrap the bubble wrap twice around the bottom half of the sculpture. Overlap in the middle with the top half of the sculpture’s bubble wrapped area. Secure the bubble wrap to itself with tape. Cut another piece of bubble wrap and overlap it so it covers the bottom of the sculpture. Secure it with tape, ensuring you apply tape only to the bubble wrap and not the sculpture. Your piece should now be fully wrapped with no gaps and taped so that the bubble wrap will not separate in transit.
      4. Fill your box or crate up about 1/3 of the way with loose packaging material like shredded or crumpled paper, or packing peanuts (we like the eco friendly kind!). Push the packaging material to the sides to make a space for your sculpture or object, and set your object down in the middle of it. Fill up the remaining space in your box or crate with packaging material. Pack it securely around the sculpture so it cannot move during transit.
      5. Tape your box shut, or nail/screw your crate closed so that it’s securely sealed. Adhere your shipping label to the outside and tape over the shipping label so it doesn’t accidentally get ripped off during shipping. You’re all set!

      Labelling Your Package

      In addition to securely adhering your shipping labels to the outside of your package, you can also label your package as "Fragile" and indicate "This side up" to ensure that the carrier handles the box with care.

      When to Use to a Crate

      For artworks that are delicate, fragile, framed, heavy, or larger in dimension (over 39” in length), we do recommended that you use a wooden crate. Wooden crates can provide extra protection to artworks that are at higher risk of being damaged by standard handling during transit. Wooden crates can be purchased ready-to-use (see options at U-Line), or built custom by a crater, which may be necessary if your works don’t conform to standard sizes.