How To: Wrap and Ship Artworks

How to wrap and ship artworks: Have you been getting into resin art and finally found yourself a customer? But the customer isn’t near you and needs the artwork shipped to them. In this blog post, we are here to help you with some useful tips and tricks on the best packing methods to ensure the safest arrival of your artwork to the customer.

Shipping resin art can feel like a nerve-wracking task – we totally get it. After all, you’ve just poured your creativity, time, and effort into crafting unique resin pieces, and the last thing you want is for your artwork to arrive damaged or mishandled. Resin art, while extremely durable once cured, requires proper care and attention during packaging and shipping to ensure it reaches its destination in pristine condition. Whether you’re sending an intricate resin art board or a custom cheeseboard, this guide will help walk you through the steps to package and ship resin art safely.

Why Proper Packaging Matters?

Resin art pieces are stunning, but they are also susceptible to scratches, dents, marks and chips if not cured or packaged correctly. The glossy finish of resin can be easily marred by contact with rough surfaces or inadequate padding, especially in the early stages after being poured. Additionally, the irregular shapes of cheeseboards, coasters, or decorative items can make them more prone to damage during transit. Investing time and effort into packaging not only ensures your art reaches its recipient safely but also leaves a lasting impression of professionalism.

Supplies You’ll Need: Before you start packaging, make sure you have the following materials on hand:

Soft microfibre cloth (for cleaning and protecting surfaces)
Glassine paper or parchment paper (non-stick and acid-free wrapping)
Foam sheets or bubble wrap
Cardboard corner protectors
Packing tape
Fragile stickers or labels
Cardboard boxes (appropriately sized for your item)
Packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or air pillows (for filling gaps)
Plastic bags (to waterproof the package)
Custom branding elements (optional, such as thank-you cards or branded tissue paper)

Now that you have a list of what you will need, lets get into it! There are many ways that someone can wrap an art board but these are some of our best tips and advice that we have found from sending out numerous artworks around the world as well as tips that our own customers have tried and shared along the way. So where do we start?

1. Proper Curing of Resin: Now this is often such an overlooked step and one that will make the world of difference in your resin art shipping journey. Every resin system is different and will cure differently, this is common knowledge! But one thing that remains fairly consistent with any epoxy is the post cure time. Each epoxy system will have a working time, a cure time and a post cure time. Your post-cure time is what is important when it comes to shipping items. If you do not allow your resin to post cure, it can lead to an impressionable surface or cause scratches or dents whilst in transit.

Your post-cure time will generally vary between 10-30 days. Depending on brand of resin, pour depth and temperatures. The cooler it is (i.e. winter months) the longer you will want the resin to cure to allow it to completely harden. Whereas your warmer months, will allow the cure time to be sped up and mean less time for post curing. We personally recommend anywhere between 21-30 days of curing before packaging as this will allow the resin to reach its peak hardness and leave you with the best chances of a damage free surface.

2. Clean the Resin Surface: Now that your resin has post cured for ample time, it’s time to clean it up and get the surfaces ready. Before you start wrapping your piece, make sure it’s completely clean. Use a soft microfibre cloth to gently wipe away any dust or smudges. When allowing to cure for up to 30 days, it is common for the resin to have collected dust on the surface. (Resin seems to be a magnet when it comes to bugs and dust!) Avoid using any harsh chemicals or rough cloths that could scratch the resin. This step is especially important because any dirt or debris left on the surface can be pressed into the resin during shipping.

3. Protect the Resin Surface: Your resin is now fully cured and clean, so it’s time to protect it. The glossy surface of resin is prone to scratches, so it’s essential to provide a protective layer. Wrap your piece in glassine paper, tissue paper or parchment paper first to create a barrier between the resin surface and other packaging materials. These materials are non-stick, extremely light and acid-free, ensuring that no residue or marks will be left on your artwork.

4. Add Padding Around the Piece: Next, add a layer of padding to protect the artwork from impact during transit. For flat items like resin art boards or cheeseboards, use foam sheets and/or bubble wrap to wrap the entire piece securely. If you are packing a large square or rectangle piece, make sure to pay extra attention to the edges and corners, as these are the most vulnerable areas. For large pieces, consider cornices or filling the back of the piece with additional wrapping for added support.

For irregularly shaped items like cheeseboards, ensure that any handles or protruding parts are wrapped with extra padding and if your piece includes sharp edges, consider using cardboard corner protectors to provide additional reinforcement.

5. Waterproof the Package: This is kind of an optional step, more depending on the type of item you are wrapping and where you are based. If you have something like a cheeseboard or an artwork where there is raw timber exposed. Or perhaps you live in a very cool/cold area where there is a lot of rain or moisture that may affect the transit of your artwork. If either of these criteria fit you, then we recommend paying close attention to this step. The last thing you want, is for your resin to arrive in perfect condition but the raw timber has been warped or stained due to water or moisture that has seeped into the package during transit.

To best safeguard your resin art against moisture or accidental spills during shipping, place the wrapped piece in a plastic bag. This creates a waterproof barrier and adds an extra layer of protection. Make sure the bag is tightly sealed either with a zip lock, vacuum seal or simply using tape.

6. Choose the Right Box: Selecting a suitable box might seem like the easiest step there is, but it isn’t always the case. What you want to look for is a sturdy cardboard box that is slightly larger than your resin piece to allow room for cushioning materials and the padding from the bubble and foam wrapping. Avoid boxes that are too large or too thin (i.e. <3mm card) as excessive empty space can lead to shifting during transit as well as ripping or tearing easily.

If you do only have access to large boxes, consider cutting the cardboard down to fit your artwork inside and make it more snug. This will be a little more time consuming as you will need to do it yourself, but this will be worth the investment to ensure your customers receive a perfectly secure artwork.
If you find you only have thin cardboard, then consider using 2 boxes or wrapping it twice as this will add an extra layer of protection for the artwork, and if one layer does get damaged, it will still be covered by a second layer.

If you are shipping multiple items (e.g., coasters or sets), wrap each piece individually and separate them with foam sheets or bubble wrap to prevent them from rubbing against each other.

7. Add Cushioning Inside the Box: Place a layer of packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or air pillows at the bottom of the box. This base layer will absorb shocks and provide additional cushioning. Gently place your wrapped resin art in the center of the box, ensuring it doesn’t touch the sides directly. Fill any remaining gaps with packing peanuts or other cushioning material to prevent the item from shifting during transit. The goal is to create a snug fit so that the piece stays securely in place.

8. Seal the Box: Close the box and secure it with high-quality packing tape. Be sure to reinforce all seams and edges with extra tape for added durability. If your box has flaps, use the “H-taping method” by sealing both the center seam and the edges to ensure the box stays intact. Add a “Fragile” sticker, label or tape to the outside of the box to inform carriers to handle it with care.

9. Include Personal Touches (Optional): Adding a personal touch to your packaging can elevate the unboxing experience for your customers. Consider including:
A thank-you card or note
Branded tissue paper or stickers
Care instructions for maintaining the resin piece

These small details make your customers feel appreciated and add a professional touch to your brand.

So now that the wrapping is done and dusted, it’s time for the most important (and most daunting) process! Shipping. So how do you go about this process and what is the best way to do it, you may ask. Well here is what you need to know:

Choose a Reliable Shipping Service: Always opt for a trusted shipping service with tracking and insurance options. This ensures that your package can be monitored throughout its journey and provides coverage in case of loss or damage. If you are based in Australia, it is most common to use AusPost, Pack & Send or Sendle.

Check Shipping Restrictions: Some carriers will often have restrictions on shipping certain materials, sizes and weight. Ensure that your resin art complies with their guidelines to avoid delays, returns or issues.

Communicate with the Recipient: Once your package is shipped, share the tracking number with the recipient so they can anticipate its arrival. This helps build trust and reduces any concerns about the package’s status. Once the package has arrived, allow the customer to contact you notifying you that it has arrived and to give a full inspection of the condition. IF there is any damage noticed, it is important to be noted and photographed as soon as possible to be able to make a claim and report the issue to the shipping company.

If you are looking for any additional tips on packaging artworks or would like to see how we would do it ourselves. We have a few videos on our YouTube channel where we demonstrate the prcoess of wrapping art boards and cheeseboards. You can find these videos on our channel here:

• How to Wrap a Resin Artboard for Shipping
• How to Wrap and Ship Resin Cheeseboards

Packaging and shipping resin art safely may take a bit of extra effort, but it’s well worth it to ensure your creations arrive in perfect condition. By following these steps, you can protect your pieces, delight your customers, and uphold your professional reputation. Remember, a well-packaged item not only ensures safety during transit but also leaves a lasting impression on the recipient. For visual learners, be sure to check out our YouTube tutorials linked above for real-life demonstrations.