Sculptures represent much more to us than the materials or labor used to create them. They are the type of art that conveys emotion, intention, and beauty in a unique way. That makes them priceless. So, what do you do when you need to pack sculpture for transport? How do you protect them from bumps in the road, unintentional impacts, and other items in your haul? How do you ensure that this priceless work of art arrives at its destination completely unharmed? It takes a lot of preparation, quality materials, and great care. Here is how to do it.
It’s not easy to properly pack sculptures for transport
Before we begin talking about the packing process itself, it’s important to realize why it’s so difficult to do it properly. Various sculptures are made from various materials. Some of them are durable, like metal or wood, while others are quite fragile. Being so valuable, some even priceless means that it’s very important to properly protect them for transport. And that isn’t always easy. It doesn’t matter if you are transporting your sculpture across the country or to one of New Orleans storage units. The problem is the same. While in transport, your work of art will encounter bumps on the road, it will move around in the curves and it can potentially get damaged. So, there are a few aspects that you have to keep in mind when packing:
- You will need to ensure that your sculpture remains upright
- You need to protect it from bumps the truck may encounter on the road
- It needs to be stable, so it doesn’t shake or slide
That requires special planning and custom packing solutions. It’s not enough to simply put it in a box. Even if it’s small and made of durable materials.
Items you will need to pack sculptures for transport
Even though it might seem like a nearly impossible task, packing sculptures is pretty straightforward. You just need to keep in mind the properties of your art. You can’t simply use any old box. But you also don’t need any special materials that can’t be found in a hardware store. So, when moving your sculptures, shipping them, or transferring them to storage facilities Baton Rouge, you can do it all by yourself. All that you need is:
- For smaller, sturdier sculptures you can use a cardboard box. For more fragile ones, use a wooden crate.
- You’ll need bubble plastic wrap to both wraps the culture and line the box
- Packing paper and moving blankets are also great items to have in case you need them
- Filler materials, like packing peanuts are essential. For some items, shredded paper is also a great solution.
- Packing tape and scissors
Steps you need to take to properly pack sculptures for transport
In order to properly, and securely pack sculptures for moving you need to go slowly. It’s important not to rush, as a simple mistake can lead to scuffs or scratches on your item. Packing unusual items requires delicate work, as it’s not always easy to properly cover them. So, whenever you are packing valuable items use quality packing supplies. Using old moving boxes and cheap tape is not recommended.
Preparing sculptures for transport
The first thing that you need to do is to prepare your sculpture for transport. And for this, there is no better material than air-filled plastic wrap. And you’ll need plenty of it. First, wrap the top of your sculpture so the plastic covers it from all angles. Secure the wrap with tape at the ends. Watch out not to tape it to the sculpture itself, as it can damage it. If you have to do it, use artist tape as it’s gentler. Then, repeat the whole process at the bottom, and then in the middle of the piece. If needed, add another layer.
If your sculpture is made out of wood or other fragile materials, wrap it in packing paper first. That’s because plastic can “sweat” due to temperature changes. And that can damage the piece. It’s the same when storing it. When storing valuables like fine china, glass, or sculptures, you want them to be completely protected from the elements. Again, watch out no to tape directly to it. If you are having trouble holding the wrapping together you can also add another layer of shrink-wrap to hold everything in place.
Find suitable boxes to pack sculptures in for transport
The next step is the packaging. You need a box that is slightly larger than your sculpture. You’ll want to have several inches of empty space on all sides of your box. That will ensure that your piece remains undamaged even if something impacts the box.
A good starting point is to line the box with bubble plastic wrap. That way, you will be able to pack sculptures for transport inside a safe, soft environment. Next, you will need to provide a soft bottom for it. So place packing peanuts or shredded paper to create a soft bottom. It doesn’t matter if you are only transporting it to nearby storage units Gonzalez LA. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Once you place the sculpture inside the box, fill the remaining space with filler material and seal the box.
Your choice of materials can greatly impact the safety of your art
NO matter what you are packing, whenever you have valuable and fragile items you need to provide them with ample protection. Different types of fine art require different approaches. And the most expensive solutions are not always the best ones, and vice-versa. For example, when packing sculptures, some artists prefer shredded paper over packing peanuts. Shredded paper tends to be softer and doesn’t move around as much. But, on the other hand, some sculptures, especially large ones, require wooden crates to give them ample protection. It all depends on the piece itself.
Other things to note
Packing sculptures for transport isn’t easy. But it’s also not too difficult. You just need to take it slow and follow the steps. Simple things, like labeling the box can mean the difference between success and disaster. Zippy Shell Louisiana has a lot of experience with moving fragile, valuable items. But, it’s better to be on the safe side. So, make sure you label the box as fragile and point the upwards direction of the box. But, if you do everything properly, there’s nothing to worry about. Your beautiful sculpture will arrive safe and unharmed. And it will be the centerpiece of your new home or even a popular exhibition at a show.
