Fine art handling – tips and tricks

They say that the transportation of fine art, antiques, and valuable furnishings is in itself an art. For most people, the artwork they own is very special to them. Not only because they are expensive and valuable but because of the beauty they bring to their home. If you are moving to another city, country, or just another house, learning how to move art and other valuable and fragile items is an important part of the moving process. It is important to do research – proper preparation is the key to fine art handling when moving. Keep on reading if you are interested in all the tips and tricks for fine art handling.

Hire Professionals

When it comes to fine art handling, be careful. It is a very delicate job that must be taken seriously. Some of your art may be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. So, do not trust just anybody to relocate it for you. However, not all moving companies are the same. You will need to find professionals who specialize in fine art handling. Go online and do some researching on how to evaluate fine art movers. When you are moving something special like this, it is not a time to cut corners. You will regret in the end. So, do not think much and let professionals handle your art collection when moving.

A truck to do the fine art handling. — In situations like this, just call the professionals. You will not have to worry about packing materials and safety. Moving companies will do the job fo you.

Do Some Researching

As previously mentioned, companies like DA Moving NYC can do all the work for you. You will not have to lift a finger. However, if you are looking for some DIY moving tips and trick, we got you covered as well:

Do not try to cut corners and save some money – this is the time to go all out.
Use proper packing materials (never use newspaper to pack your art, because you might damage it). Instead, use reinforced boxes specially designed for artwork.
Pay attention to the temperature – some types of art can get destroyed if they come in contact with extremely low or hot temperatures.
Bigger is better – try to use much larger boxes when packing art. In this way, you can use enough bubble wrap to wrap your items.

A very expensive bowl — Moving fine art and expensive furniture is not as simple as moving a few random boxes. This type or relocation requires special care and attention. If you want to do it right, hire professional movers.

Packing Paintings with Glass

If, however, you think that you can tackle this job by yourself, you will need to purchase quality packing materials. Before putting paintings with glass into the box put masking tape across the glass. The “X” pattern works best in these cases. You should also cover the glass with a thick piece of cardboard to protect it. You can also use a foam sheet. After that, wrap the entire picture with bubble wrap.

Pack separately – never put two painting together. Fill the extra space in the box with shredded paper. Remember to secure the outer part of the box with extra tape.

Packing Oil Paintings

This can be tricky since oil paintings require special care in order not to damage their surface. If the painting is too large and very valuable, it is best to have a custom built crate made for this item. This will provide the best protection. However, if you do not want to order a special crate, buy a lot of packing materials.You should try to find wax paper, designed especially for the protection of oil paintings. After that, use the bubble wrap. You can also try to create a styrofoam crate. This will provide more safety.

An oil painting — Some oil paintings require special temperature. So, try to talk to professionals about climate-controlled environment to protect the pigments. Fine art handling can is best done by specialized professionals .

Packing Sculptures and Figurines

And now, the hardest part. Packing things like fine china, crystal, and other fragile items can be a nightmare. At least, consider having your moving company handle this one for you. However, if you are determined to this yourself, remember to use special boxes and be very gentle. Wrap each figurine with bubble wrap. Do not try to cut corners with this one. Wrap each piece many times. Purchase specialized boxes for fine art form your mover. As with paintings, you should fill inside of the box with shredded paper. Secure every box with large amounts of duck tape.

China plates — Packing plates really does require fine art handling. Always pack plates on their end, never place them flat.

When the Moving is Complete

So, the moving process is finally over and you are starting to unpack. Let the movers unload trucks for you. After unloading is completed, check each and every piece of art. Carefully open the boxes and examine everything. If some of the boxes or items are missing, immediately notify your mover. Also, accidents happen. Things as delicate as fine art can easily get damaged. So, you should consider having insurance for these kinds of things. If something does get damaged, talk to your movers about it before signing the receipt. Whatever happens, do not get too stressed out. Everything can be fixed.

Fine Art Handling – Conclusion

We covered most of the important things when it comes to fine art handling. It is up to you whether you want to do this by yourself or let professionals do this for you. If you are moving to New York, there are many people who specialize in this kind of relocation processes. Also, consider Queens when moving to NY City, it is much cheaper, and you can get more for your money. There, you can buy bigger houses or flats where you can show your art. But if your move is not local, do detailed research. Find what is best for your possessions. Whatever you decide, get insurance. Good luck!