To take framed art on a plane, you should carefully pack it by wrapping it in bubble wrap and placing it in a sturdy, hard-sided container.
Traveling with framed art requires careful preparation to ensure your piece arrives safely at your destination. Whether it's a valuable painting or a cherished print, protecting the frame, glass, and artwork itself from potential damage during transit is crucial.
Preparing Your Framed Art for Air Travel
Proper packing is the most critical step in transporting framed art by plane. Based on expert recommendations, follow these essential steps:
Essential Packing Steps
- Initial Wrapping: Start by protecting the surface of the artwork. Cover the glass (if applicable) with masking tape in a star pattern to help hold shards together if the glass breaks. Then, wrap your framed art in bubble wrap. Ensure multiple layers are used, covering the entire frame and glass. Secure the bubble wrap with packing tape.
- Corner Protection: The corners of a frame are particularly vulnerable. It's a good idea to secure the corners of the frame with additional padding or cardboard. You can use cardboard corner protectors specifically designed for frames or create your own using thick cardboard pieces taped securely around each corner.
- Choose a Sturdy Container: The art needs robust external protection. After wrapping and protecting the corners, place it in a sturdy, hard-sided container. This could be a custom-built wooden crate, a reinforced art shipping box, or a hard-shell suitcase large enough to accommodate the piece. Avoid using flimsy cardboard boxes or soft bags that offer little impact protection.
Choosing the Right Container
Selecting the appropriate container depends on the size and value of your framed art:
- Hard-Shell Suitcases: Suitable for smaller pieces that fit within airline size limits for checked baggage. Ensure the art is heavily padded inside the suitcase to prevent movement.
- Art Shipping Boxes/Cases: Many companies sell specialized boxes or cases designed for transporting artwork. Look for reinforced cardboard or plastic options.
- Wooden Crates: Recommended for large or very valuable pieces. Crates provide the highest level of protection but can be heavy and may require specialized shipping or handling.
Ensure the container is just slightly larger than the wrapped art, filling any remaining space with additional padding material like foam peanuts, crumpled paper, or more bubble wrap to prevent the artwork from shifting inside.
Airline Considerations
Before heading to the airport, consider airline policies:
Carry-On vs. Checked Baggage
- Carry-On: Smaller framed art that fits within the airline's carry-on size restrictions can potentially be taken into the cabin. This is often preferred for valuable or fragile pieces as they remain under your direct supervision. However, overhead bin space and under-seat space are limited, and flight attendants may require larger items to be checked if space is full.
- Checked Baggage: Larger framed art will need to be checked. This exposes it to more handling and potential impacts, making the sturdy, hard-sided container and thorough internal padding absolutely essential.
Check your specific airline's regulations regarding size and weight limits for both carry-on and checked baggage, especially for unusual items like artwork.
Declaring Valuable Art
For high-value pieces, consider:
- Insurance: Purchase travel insurance that covers artwork or ensure your homeowner's/renter's insurance covers damage during transit.
- Declaration: Inform the airline if you are traveling with valuable art. They may have specific procedures or require you to sign a limited liability waiver.
Practical Tips
- Take photos of the framed art before packing it to document its condition.
- Clearly label the outside of the container as "FRAGILE: ARTWORK."
- If possible, disassemble the frame or remove the glass for safer transport, though this is not always feasible or desirable.
- For international travel, research customs regulations regarding artwork.
By following these steps, focusing on thorough packing using bubble wrap, corner protection, and a sturdy container, you can significantly increase the chances of your framed art arriving safely when traveling by plane.
