← OG Academy · Business basics · 5 min læsning
Pack and ship artwork like a pro (and who pays)
A practical checklist for the day a work actually sells, so nothing has to be improvised.
Keep a shipping kit ready
Glassine or acid-free paper, corner protectors, bubble wrap, strong tape, a few standard box sizes, a tube for large canvases, fragile labels, and printed care cards. Buying it in advance costs little and removes all the panic.
Measure and weigh your typical formats once and write the shipping cost per zone on a card. Then you can answer any buyer instantly.
Who pays for shipping
Including shipping in the price converts better and feels generous. Charging separately is fairer if you ship worldwide. Either is fine; being vague is not.
For international sales, state clearly that import duties and taxes are the buyer's responsibility. It prevents an ugly surprise at their door.
The packing rules that matter
Nothing may move inside the box. No glass, ever — use acrylic or ship unframed. Wrap the work so no tape ever touches the artwork itself. Add a rigid layer on both sides of flat works.
Photograph the packed parcel and keep the receipt with the tracking number until the buyer confirms arrival.
Insurance and claims
Insure for the full sale value. If damage occurs, most carriers require photos of the packaging and the damage within a few days — so ask the buyer to photograph everything before unpacking further.
Refund or replace quickly if something goes wrong. How you handle the bad day is what people tell others about.
Kort fortalt
A ready shipping kit, clear terms up front, immobile packing without glass, insured tracking, photos of everything, and a fast, generous response if something goes wrong.