Packing Built Around the Piece
No two works of art are alike. A framed oil painting needs different handling than a delicate work on paper. A heavy bronze sculpture requires different bracing than a glass installation. A museum loan needs different documentation than a private sale delivery. We build each crate and pack each piece around the specific work it will protect.
Our process begins with a condition assessment, then moves through material selection, custom construction where needed, and careful packing, with photographic documentation at every step.
Our Packing Process
- Assessment. We evaluate each piece at your location or ours, noting condition, dimensions, medium, and any vulnerabilities that affect how the piece will be packed.
- Material selection. We match materials to the piece: archival tissue or glassine in contact with the work, shock-absorbing foam around it, and custom bracing or a custom crate around the whole.
- Construction. Custom crates are built to the dimensions of the work, with internal bracing that holds the piece steady and cushioning that absorbs road shock and impact.
- Packing and documentation. Each piece is packed by hand by a specialist. Before the crate closes, a final photograph and condition note records the state of the work.
Materials We Use
- Custom-built wooden crates sized to the work with internal bracing
- Archival tissue, glassine, and acid-free interleaving papers
- Shock-absorbing foam padding for cushioning
- Corner protectors, edge bumpers, and frame guards
- Moisture-control packets for humidity-sensitive pieces
- Tamper-evident sealing for chain-of-custody
When You Need Professional Packing
For long-distance shipping. For long-term storage of valuable works. For fragile or high-value pieces that require extra protection. For international transit where handling is outside your control. For insurance-grade documentation. For museum loans and gallery transfers where chain-of-custody matters. For estate transitions where pieces will be handled by multiple parties before reaching their destination.
Single Piece or Full Collection
We pack individual pieces for a single shipment and we pack entire collections for relocation or storage. The same standard of care applies whether the piece is a family heirloom or a six-figure acquisition. Packing is often booked alongside local art transportation and fine art storage as part of a single coordinated engagement.
Why Choose Vidro for Packing & Crating
Hand-packed by specialists. Each piece is packed by a trained art handler, not a general warehouse worker. The difference shows up in where foam is placed, how bracing is tensioned, and how the final crate is sealed.
We come to you. For most clients, we pack at the origin location. The piece never moves until it is fully protected. This matters most for fragile works where every inch of unprotected transit is a risk.
Documentation throughout. Photos and condition notes are recorded at intake, during packing, and at release. You get a record of the piece's state at every transition, which matters for insurance, estate planning, and resale.
Part of a complete care cycle. Packing pairs naturally with our other services. One team, one accountability trail, from your home to long-term storage and back.
"I live in the Westwood, Los Angeles area. My apartment is not very big. I had many art pieces that I had painted over ten years. Adam Hernandez and Bryan Martinez were able to pack them well in the apartment in less than two days."
Frequently Asked Questions About Art Packing & Crating
Do I need a custom crate or will a padded wrap work?
It depends on the piece and the journey. A framed piece traveling across town for a gallery installation often only needs proper padded wrap and careful handling. A work going into long-term storage, a fragile or high-value piece, or a piece traveling a longer distance is better served by a custom crate. We make the recommendation at the quote stage based on the specifics of your engagement.
Can you pack at my home or gallery?
Yes. For most clients, we pack at the origin location. Our team brings materials and tools, packs each piece carefully on site, and then transports the packed works to their destination. This is often safer than moving pieces unpacked to a packing station, because every inch of unprotected transit is a risk.
Do you provide documentation of the packing?
Yes. Each piece is photographed before packing begins, and a condition note is recorded. The documentation is useful for insurance, for chain-of-custody records on loans and consignments, and for verification at the destination. We retain copies and provide them to the client on request.
Is pickup and transport included with packing?
Packing and transport are separate services and can be booked together or separately. Most clients book them together for a single coordinated appointment, which is usually more efficient and reduces the number of times the piece is handled.
For more general questions, see our full FAQs page.