When a large sculpture needs to be transported to a gallery or a buyer, it’s a challenge to package it and ship it so that it arrives in perfect condition. Unfortunately, many things can go wrong in the shipping process. If a crate falls off the back of a truck or gets turned upside down, parts can break or become detached. Or if the crate is stored in a damp warehouse en route to its destination, the sculpture could be affected by mold or rust. If you have a sculpture to ship, consider the following tips from professional Freighters and Craters in Utah.
Before you attempt to crate your sculpture, it’s important to inspect it and document its condition carefully. While inspecting it, look for weak areas that might need reinforcement or special protection. Take photos from multiple angles so that if any damage occurs, the shape of the original sculpture can be recreated. In the case of a very large sculpture, it may need to be shipped in multiple sections that will be reassembled on delivery according to the documentation you provide.
The next step is to begin wrapping the sculpture. Begin by tying down or otherwise fixing any moving parts to make sure they will not move during shipping. Then wrap the entire sculpture in multiple layers of bubble wrap, using extra layers around more delicate areas. Reinforce the bubble wrap with heavy-duty packing tape.
It is not always necessary to double-box a sculpture, but many artists prefer to do this. Place the sculpture inside a cardboard box that is as close as possible to the size of the sculpture. Then fill up the empty space with loose packing material like polystyrene packing peanuts. Make sure to label the outside of the box to indicate which direction is up.
Next, place the wrapped sculpture or cardboard box inside a shipping crate. The crate should be made of fumigated wood or plywood, and it should be thick enough to support the weight of the sculpture easily. Use materials to stabilize the sculpture inside the crate like a crate lining or cushioning materials that are fixed to the walls of the crate. To make sure that your sculpture stays upright, fix it to a palette. Browse us for more information about Freighters and Craters in Utah.
