How to Pack and Crate Artwork for Shipping, Moving & Storage

Artwork can be damaged long before it reaches a truck. Corners get crushed, glazing can crack, frames can shift inside weak boxes, and oversized pieces often need far more protection than standard parcel packaging can provide.

If you are moving valuable art, shipping a framed piece to a collector, preparing work for a gallery exhibition, or relocating a large canvas, professional packing and custom crating can reduce the risk created by vibration, impact, moisture and movement in transit.

Modern Memory Design provides art packing and custom crating services for paintings, framed art, canvas, prints, sculptures and other fragile pieces from its Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey workshop, with service across NJ, NY, CT and PA.

When Does Artwork Need Professional Packing or a Custom Crate?

Not every frame requires a wooden crate, but certain pieces deserve more protection than ordinary shipping materials provide.

Consider professional art packing or crating when the artwork is:

• Oversized or unusually shaped
• Original, signed or difficult to replace
• Framed with glass or other fragile glazing
• Traveling a long distance
• Being moved between galleries, homes or offices
• Part of an exhibition or auction shipment
• Dimensional, sculptural or especially fragile
• Stored for an extended period

MMD's current crating service is designed for paintings, framed artwork, canvas, fine-art prints and sculptures, including oversized framed pieces and irregular objects.

What Is a Custom Art Crate?

A custom art crate is built around the actual dimensions and needs of the artwork rather than forcing the piece into a generic shipping carton.

The goal is to control movement inside the package and add structural protection around the object. Depending on the project, this can include custom bracing, foam cushioning, edge protection and moisture-resistant interior materials.

MMD's current service specifically offers custom-built crates, shock-absorbing protection, moisture-resistant interior materials and custom foam inserts for fragile art and sculpture.

Step 1: Measure the Complete Framed Piece

Measure the artwork at its finished outside dimensions, including the frame—not just the image opening.

Record:

• Overall width
• Overall height
• Maximum depth
• Any projecting hardware or decorative elements

For ornate, dimensional or irregular frames, measure the deepest and widest points. This helps ensure the crate or protective packaging is designed around the real object.

Step 2: Consider the Glazing

Glass, acrylic and unglazed canvas require different handling.

Framed artwork with glass

Glass increases breakage risk and can create secondary damage if it shatters inside the frame. Extra face protection and careful stabilization are especially important.

Framed artwork with acrylic

Acrylic is lighter and shatter resistant, but its surface still needs protection against scratches and abrasion.

Canvas and unglazed artwork

The painted or printed surface should not be placed directly against rough packing materials. The package should protect the face of the artwork without pressing into it.

If a piece needs new framing before transport, MMD also provides fine art and archival framing and custom framing services.

Step 3: Protect the Corners and Frame Profile

Frame corners are common impact points during a move. Decorative moulding can also chip, dent or separate when the package is handled poorly.

Professional packing typically creates a protective buffer around these vulnerable edges rather than allowing the moulding itself to absorb the shock.

This becomes even more important with oversized frames, where the package may be handled by several people during loading, unloading or installation.

Step 4: Prevent Movement Inside the Package

A box can look secure from the outside while the artwork still moves inside it.

That movement is one of the main problems custom packing is designed to control. The piece should be supported so normal vibration and handling do not allow the frame or artwork to repeatedly strike the inside walls of the package.

For fragile or unusually shaped objects, MMD's current crating service includes custom foam inserts and internal bracing designed around the piece.

Step 5: Decide Whether You Need a Box or a Wooden Crate

A reinforced art box may be enough when:

• The piece is relatively small
• The frame is not especially fragile
• The transport distance is short
• The artwork is replaceable

A custom wooden crate makes more sense when:

• The artwork is oversized
• The item is high value or irreplaceable
• The frame has fragile glazing or ornament
• The piece is traveling long distance
• The object has unusual depth or shape
• The artwork is going to an exhibition, auction or collector

MMD currently lists custom crating for oversized framed artwork up to 130x130 inches, traveling exhibitions, high-value shipments and fragile sculptures.

What About Oversized Framed Art?

Large art is where ordinary shipping assumptions break down fastest.

A 40x60 or similarly large frame creates more leverage at the corners, more exposed surface area and more total weight. It may also be difficult to move through elevators, doorways and stairwells once packed.

Before crating a large piece, confirm the route from the artwork's current location to the vehicle and from the delivery vehicle to its final wall.

MMD also provides large picture frames, oversized custom framing and professional installation for projects where framing and logistics need to be planned together.

Art Crating for Galleries, Designers and Commercial Projects

Commercial projects often require more than protecting one painting.

Interior designers, galleries, hotels, offices and institutions may need multiple framed pieces packed, labeled and delivered as one coordinated installation.

MMD's current art-crating service works with artists, collectors, galleries, interior designers and institutions. The company also offers business custom framing and printing, which can simplify projects where artwork production, framing, packing and delivery are all part of the same job.

Professional Art Delivery After Packing

Packing is only part of the process. Oversized framed pieces still need to be handled correctly once they leave the workshop.

Modern Memory Design currently offers professional art delivery for framed artwork, canvas and custom pieces across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

The current service is designed for collectors, homeowners, artists, galleries, interior designers and event decorators, including oversized framed artwork and canvas.

Art Packing for Moving to a New Home

If you are relocating, pack valuable artwork separately from ordinary household wall décor.

Before packing:

• Photograph the artwork and frame condition
• Measure the finished framed dimensions
• Remove loose hanging wire or secure it against the backing
• Identify fragile glazing
• Label the package clearly
• Plan where the piece will be unloaded

For collections, number each packed piece and keep a simple inventory so the artwork can be matched to the correct room or installation location after the move.

Art Packing for Storage

Storage creates different challenges than a one-day move.

A piece that will remain packed for months should be protected from pressure, movement and environmental exposure. Avoid leaning heavy objects against a packed frame or stacking unrelated boxes on top of artwork.

When long-term preservation matters, discuss the artwork type, frame materials and expected storage environment before choosing the packing system.

Why Choose Modern Memory Design for Art Packing & Crating?

Modern Memory Design operates a full-service custom framing workshop at 213 Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604. Its current art-packing and crating service includes custom crates, protective packaging, custom foam inserts, oversized-art crating and on-site packing options for projects in metro NYC and North Jersey.

MMD currently serves clients across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, including private collectors, artists, galleries, interior designers and institutions.

Because the same shop also handles custom framing, large-format printing, oversized framing and professional art delivery, packing can be planned around the finished artwork rather than treated as an unrelated last step.

Art Packing & Crating FAQ

When should artwork be custom crated?

Custom crating is worth considering for oversized, fragile, valuable or irregular artwork, especially when it will travel long distance, enter storage, or move between galleries, collectors or institutions.

Can Modern Memory Design crate oversized framed artwork?

Yes. MMD's current crating service lists oversized framed artwork up to 130x130 inches among the projects it handles.

Can you pack artwork with glass?

Yes. Framed artwork with glass requires careful stabilization and surface protection because broken glazing can damage both the frame and artwork during transit.

Does MMD provide on-site art packing?

Yes. The current art-crating service lists on-site crating and packing in metro NYC and North Jersey.

Can you crate sculptures and irregular pieces?

Yes. MMD currently offers custom foam inserts and crating for fragile sculptures and irregular art objects.

Do you work with galleries and interior designers?

Yes. MMD's current service specifically includes galleries, interior designers, artists, collectors and institutions.

Where does Modern Memory Design provide art packing and crating?

The current service covers New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, including Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester, Stamford, Greenwich, Norwalk, Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

Can MMD also deliver the artwork after it is packed?

Yes. Modern Memory Design currently offers professional art delivery for framed artwork, canvas and custom pieces across NJ, NY, PA and CT.

Protect the Artwork Before the Move Begins

The time to think about artwork protection is before the piece is loaded into a truck or handed to a carrier. Measure the complete frame, identify the fragile areas, control movement inside the package and choose a crate when the artwork deserves more protection than a standard shipping box can provide.

Explore Art Packing & Custom Crating, review Professional Art Delivery, or contact Modern Memory Design with the artwork dimensions, type and destination to discuss a packing or crating project.