← OG Academy · Price and sell with confidence · 6 min lezen
Shipping artwork safely — and who pays for it
The moment a sold painting leaves your studio is the moment you feel least in control. Good packing gives that control back.
Decide who pays before you list
Two honest models: shipping included in the price, or shipping calculated per destination. Included is simpler and converts better; calculated is fairer if you sell internationally where costs vary wildly.
Whatever you choose, say it clearly in the description. Surprise shipping costs are the number one reason buyers walk away at the last moment.
How to pack a flat work
Glassine or acid-free paper against the surface, corner protectors, then a layer of bubble wrap, then a rigid cardboard sandwich or a purpose-made art box. The work must not move at all inside the package — movement, not impact, causes most damage.
Tape all seams, mark the box fragile on multiple sides, and add a note with your details inside as well as outside.
Rolled or stretched?
Large canvases can travel rolled in a sturdy tube: paint side out, with a protective interleaf, rolled around a wide core so the paint never creases. Only do this with paint that is fully cured, which for oil can mean months.
Rolling saves a lot of money on big works, but always tell the buyer in advance that it will arrive rolled and needs restretching.
Insure, track, and photograph everything
Always ship with track and trace and insurance for the full sale value. The extra cost is small compared with the value of the work and the peace of mind of both parties.
Photograph the packed parcel before it goes. If a courier damages it, those photos are what makes a claim succeed.
Put something human in the box
A handwritten note, the certificate of authenticity, and care instructions cost almost nothing and are remembered for years. This is the moment your buyer decides whether to tell friends about you.
For international shipments, add a customs form with an honest description and value. Undervaluing goods to save the buyer duty is fraud and voids your insurance.
In het kort
Clear shipping terms up front, immobile packing, no glass, insured track and trace, photos of the parcel, and a handwritten note inside.