The key to relocating any kind of art pieces is to be patient and pay attention to the nitty-gritty. That is, do detailed research before you begin, make sure you’re doing due diligence and avoid last-minute moving stress. Here are a few handy tips for moving fine art and sculptures.
Moving Fine Art in Miami, Florida
Moving Paintings, Fine Art, and Sculptures
Wrapping and Packing
The way you wrap various pieces of art can literally make or break them. Avoid wrapping oil paintings in regular paper because it will stick. For glass-covered artwork, use special non-marking masking tape to create an X across the glass for added strength and to keep it together in the event of breakage. Wrap art and canvases in plain white or brown paper, not newsprint; otherwise, the ink will transfer onto the paint. Do not use cling wrap, which can create mold. If you want to wrap the artwork to prevent scratching, use a blanket, silicone release paper, unprinted newspaper, or plain wrapping paper.
For expensive and large artwork, consider a custom-built crate. The crate can be built around the painting on-site and then disassembled when it reaches its new home. In case the piece needs to be moved long distance or overseas, crating is not only recommended but definitely required.
Avoid packing multiple paintings in one box or crate, even without frames. They may scratch against each other in transit and damage the paint or canvas. If your artwork must go into storage, make sure it’s climate-controlled to prevent damage to the paint. Stick large red FRAGILE labels all over the crate or box.
How to Move Sculptures
So how will you transfer all these precious pieces? Whom can you trust to handle the packing and logistics of the move? Knowing the track record and specialties of your chosen sculpture moving company will give you the peace of mind you need. Many of the same tips and caveats we mentioned about paintings also apply to the moving of sculptures and carvings.
Here are some extra items that are sculpture specific.
Most importantly, explain to your moving crew all unique constraints associated with the piece, even if you have discussed them previously with the estimator. Has the piece ever been moved before? Was it moved in or assembled in place? Are there any damages that need to be accounted for in packing? Are there any recommended procedures or instructions for packing or moving the sculpture? All these will apply no matter the size of the piece. Sometimes a sculpture may appear big and bulky except for a few key fragile pieces that need extreme special care.
Aside from your knowledge and specific instructions by the artist, the material and size of the piece will help decide the packing methods involved. Five sculpting materials frequently used are: stainless steel, bronze, wood, marble, and corten steel. We will go over each of these briefly.
Caring of people’s valuables
As you can imagine, it is no easy feat arranging the safe and secure transportation of fine art and sculptures, which is why you need a reputable company with experienced operators and the foresight to send an estimator out well beforehand to get all details about the piece/s before a moving crew ever shows up to actually do the job. Best Price Moving Quotes has moved several sculptures, both for private collectors as well as local art galleries, so we know how to take care of people’s valuables, and hence we have a lot of referral business from this class of satisfied customers.
