How to move oil paintings and artwork?

How to Move Oil Paintings and Artwork

Moving artwork, especially valuable or delicate pieces, requires careful planning and execution. The primary goal is to protect items from impact, temperature fluctuations, and moisture. This guide covers best practices for ensuring paintings and other artworks arrive safely at their new location.

Initial Assessment and Preparation

• Evaluate the Artwork: Determine the value, size, fragility, and type of artwork. Oil paintings, watercolours, prints with glass, sculptures, and framed items each have specific handling requirements.
• Gather Materials: Essential packing supplies include archival glassine paper, acid-free tissue paper, small and large bubble wrap, specialised art boxes or robust moving cartons, packing tape, foam corner protectors, and heavy-duty blankets or moving pads. For very valuable items, wooden crates may be necessary.
• Clean Hands: Always handle artwork, especially unframed pieces, with clean, dry hands or wear clean cotton gloves to prevent transferring oils or dirt.

Packing Framed Artwork (with Glass)

Framed artwork with glass requires attention to prevent shattering and protect the artwork beneath.

• Secure the Glass: Apply low-tack painter's tape in a starburst or 'X' pattern across the glass. This helps hold shards together if the glass breaks, preventing damage to the artwork. Strong adhesive tapes that could leave residue should not be used.
• Corner Protection: Place foam or cardboard corner protectors on all four corners of the frame. This absorbs impact and protects the frame's edges.
• Wrap Carefully: Wrap the entire framed piece in a layer of acid-free tissue paper or glassine paper first, particularly if the artwork touches the glass. Then, wrap it in at least two layers of bubble wrap, ensuring the bubbles face outwards, away from the artwork's surface. Secure with packing tape.
• Box It Up: Place the wrapped artwork into a sturdy art box or a custom-built crate. Ensure there is minimal movement within the box by filling gaps with additional packing material such as crumpled paper or foam. Label the box clearly with "FRAGILE - ARTWORK - THIS SIDE UP".

Packing Oil Paintings (Unframed or Without Glass)

Oil paintings are particularly sensitive as the painted surface can be easily scratched, dented, or adhere to packing materials.

• Protect the Surface: Never place bubble wrap or any adhesive material directly onto the surface of an oil painting. The plastic can stick to the paint, especially in varying temperatures, and cause irreparable damage.
• Use Glassine or Parchment Paper: Cover the entire painted surface with a sheet of archival glassine paper or good quality baking parchment. This creates a non-stick barrier. Secure it lightly around the edges of the frame or stretcher bars with low-tack tape if necessary, ensuring it does not touch the painted surface.
• Cardboard Sandwich: Place a piece of rigid cardboard larger than the painting on both the front (over the glassine) and the back. Tape these cardboard sheets together around the edges, forming a protective "sandwich".
• Bubble Wrap and Box: Wrap the protected painting in two to three layers of bubble wrap, bubbles facing outwards. Place it into a suitable art box or crate, ensuring it is snug but not forced. Again, fill any voids.

Handling and Loading Artwork

• Handle by the Frame: Always lift and carry framed artwork by the sturdy frame or stretcher bars, not by the canvas or hanging wire.
• Vertical Placement: Wherever possible, transport paintings vertically, resting on their strongest edge. Avoid stacking them flat unless they are in robust crates designed for stacking.
• Secure in the Lorry: Use straps, moving blankets, and packing material to secure artwork firmly within the removal lorry. Prevent any shifting during transit. Items should not lean against unprotected surfaces or be exposed to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. Consideration for climate-controlled storage might be needed for very sensitive pieces.
• Team Lift: For larger or heavier pieces, always use two or more people to lift. This prevents injury and reduces the risk of dropping.

Special Considerations for High-Value or Large Artwork

For items of significant monetary or sentimental value, or those with unusual dimensions, professional services are often the safest option.

• Professional Art Movers: Specialist art transportation companies possess the expertise, equipment, and appropriate insurance for high-value collections.
• Custom Crating: Large or extremely fragile pieces often benefit from custom-built wooden crates, providing superior protection against impact and pressure.
• Insurance: Ensure adequate insurance coverage is in place. Standard removals insurance might not cover the full value of unique artworks. Investigate Full Value Protection or specific art insurance policies. It is prudent to photograph each piece before packing as a record of its condition.

Unpacking and Acclimatisation

• Careful Unwrapping: Unpack artwork in a clean, stable environment. Use caution when removing tape and packing materials to avoid accidental damage.
• Acclimatise: Allow newly moved artwork to acclimatise to the temperature and humidity of its new environment for a few hours before hanging. Sudden changes can stress materials.
• Inspection: Immediately after unpacking, inspect each piece for any signs of damage and document thoroughly with photographs if issues are found.

By following these guidelines, the risk of damage to valuable artwork during a move can be significantly reduced. When in doubt, consulting with a professional removals company or a specialist art handler is always recommended.