Some extra-mile advice for packaging?
Congratulations! You've made that all-important sale and now you're faced with packaging your artworks for delivery. To avoid damage in transit (and ultimately to avoid returns), you will want to ensure that your artwork is packaged as robustly as possible.
Here's our full guide on how best to package your artworks, including top tips from our best-selling artists.
Inner Packaging
All artworks, regardless of size and weight, cannot sufficiently be protected by simply placing them in a box and closing the lid. "After putting all that love and care into creating something, the last thing I want is for something to be damaged in transit," says
Lorna Doyan.
Edges and corners are the areas most likely to sustain damage in transit. "I protect all the edges of the frame by folding extra layers of bubble wrap on each edge when wrapping. I then wedge extra packaging material into the air space of the inner packing box."
Lorna Doyan ensures that all edges are bubble wrapped for security.
Bubblewrap is also a secret weapon for
Charlotte Anna Reed: "Strong bubble wrap is vital. I always start with bubble wrap and make sure every corner of the canvas is wrapped up neatly and securely."
If shipping multiple artworks, you may wish to package each artwork individually and then combine them together in the same box, sandwiching between sheets of cardboard,
as Liz McDonough recommends.
Outer Packaging
Though bubble wrap and sandwiching provide a certain level of protection, it's still vital to add sturdy outer packaging that will be able to take any blows dealt to it in transit.
Many artists opt to roll their artworks in solid tubes or place them in hard-back reinforced envelopes. However when this will just not do, there are several other options for outer packaging that will provide just as much security.
"As most of my works are framed with glass it is really important the packaging is strong," says Lorna. "In the early days I had one or two breakages, especially when there were failed deliveries which resulted in over handling of the parcel by careless delivery companies."
However with experience, Lorna has developed a courier-proof method of packaging her works: "I use double thickness pre-made cardboard boxes (mine are from Kite Packing) and I use red and white 'Fragile' tape.
And for her larger works that do not fit in a pre-brought packaging, "I crate them myself between pre-cut sheets of MDF. They have flown all over the world this way and so far so good!"
Finishing touches
Adding that final personal touch is a sure-fire way to leave the customer with a lasting impression. It may even
inspire repeat custom and get them coming back for more!
"I want the best impression for my customers when they open their purchases. That is why, after carefully wrapping it in foam or bubble wrap, I also add a bow and a personalised card," says Lorna.
Charlotte is also a fan of those personal touches, adding that she always get a positive response from the additional effort that she adds to her package. "I want my customers experience of buying from Artfinder and from myself a happy and special one, so making sure the art work is gift wrapped perfectly is essential."
Charlotte Reed takes special pride in packaging her artworks to impress!
It's also a really good idea to take some good quality photographs of your artwork in it's inner packaging, outer packaging, and photographs of any personalised card or note that you include. You can use these photos as secondary images on all of your listings, and these will help to reassure buyers - not only that their artwork will arrive safely, but also that they'll receive a beautiful, personalised handmade package.
Lastly, it's always a great indicator of good customer service to drop the customer a quick message via the Artfinder Messaging System and let them know that the artwork has been dispatched. As Lorna notes,"I always advise the customer in advance via the message system so that delivery is anticipated."
Of course, it's always great to ask for feedback from the customer as well. "I like to think happy art, happy packaging, happy customer!" says Charlotte.