The Journey of a Painting
A framed oil painting hangs in a quiet gallery. It has been viewed, discussed, admired. In a few days, it will leave that wall and travel hundreds or thousands of miles to its next home.
Between those two walls is a process most people never see. Every move introduces another chance at damage. Surfaces can scratch. Frames can shift. Glass can break. Sculptures and statues can tilt under their own weight. Professional fine art packing and crating exists to control that risk.
Fine Art Shipping at Navis Pack & Ship begins with one principle: protect the artwork first. Every packing and crating decision is built around the piece itself and where it’s ultimately headed.
Types of Art that Travels
Art Shipping is rarely limited to a single category. Collections are diverse, materials vary, and sizes range from small framed pieces to large-scale installations. Each type requires thoughtful packing and, when appropriate, a custom crate designed specifically to protect the artwork itself.
Navis locations across the country and Canada regularly prepare and ship:
- Framed and unframed paintings, prints, and mixed media works
- Bronze, stone, resin, and ceramic sculptures
- Glass art, designer light fixtures, and delicate decorative installations
- Antique signage, vintage advertising pieces, and statues
- Corporate and private collections and oversized museum pieces
Flat works often require surface protection and rigid support to prevent flexing. Sculptures demand stabilization based on weight distribution. Fragile materials such as glass and ceramic call for cushioning that absorbs vibration without placing pressure on sensitive points.
For many fine art shipments, Crating is the foundation of protection.
From Studio to Gallery to Museum: How Fine Art Travels
Fine art rarely stays in one place. A painting leaves an artist’s studio for exhibition. A sculpture moves from a corporate lobby to a museum loan. A collector acquires a piece at auction and installs it in another state. Movement is part of the artwork’s life cycle.
Galleries coordinate deliveries to buyers across the country. Museums operate on strict exhibition schedules. Corporate offices relocate curated installations during expansions or renovations. Private collections move during estate transitions or residential moves. In every case, the artwork must travel without altering its surface, structure, or condition.
Fine art crosses state lines and international borders. A piece may move by truck across regions or by air to meet an overseas deadline. Custom Crating and Professional Packing help stabilize the artwork, protect finishes, and absorb vibration throughout transit. The objective is simple. The piece should leave one wall and arrive at the next unchanged.
The Responsibility Behind Fine Art Crating and Shipping
Fine art shipments carry real stakes. Many pieces represent years of work, significant investment, or cultural value. Damage is often permanent. Protection starts with structure. Crating is engineered around the artwork’s materials, dimensions, and weight to control movement, absorb vibration, and guard against impact or environmental shifts before transit begins.
Navis provides disciplined execution at every stage. Galleries receive reliable delivery. Museums receive handling aligned with preservation standards. Collectors receive clear documentation and accountability. Whether shipping across state lines or through International Shipping, the standard remains consistent.
Contact Navis for Professional Fine Art Shipping
If you are planning to ship fine art within the United States or internationally, Navis Pack & Ship can help you develop a Packing, Crating, and Shipping plan tailored to your artwork and its destination.
Contact your local Navis location to discuss your fine art shipment and request a customized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Navis ship fine art internationally?
Yes. Navis offers International Fine Art Shipping, including export-ready custom crating and required documentation for air or ocean transport.
What types of artwork can Navis pack and crate?
We pack and crate paintings, sculptures, statues, framed works, glass art, decorative installations, estate artwork, and oversized pieces.
Do you work with galleries, museums, and collectors?
Yes. Navis regularly supports galleries, museums, corporate art programs, artists, and private collectors.
Is storage available before delivery or installation?
Yes. Secure storage options are available when artwork needs to be staged prior to final delivery.
