How To Ship Encaustic Artwork
Building a box. Image credit: David A. Clark
For good reason, artists are often concerned about shipping or transporting works in encaustic. Encaustic in extreme situations is vulnerable to cracking, chipping, flaking, or softening (or worse, melting). This is especially true when the shipment or transportation is done in extremely hot or very cold temperature conditions.
POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND
Pack it so nothing touches the wax surface.
Insulate against temperatures under 40°F and over 80°F.
Insulate against shock (jarring, dropping, etc.).
Ship overnight or early in the week. This will prevent artwork from sitting in carriers too long or over the weekend.
The following guidelines apply to paintings, 30” x 30” or less. Packing for larger and/or 3-dimensional work may be done in the same manner or may have to be designed differently for the specific work.
PACKING SO THAT NOTHING TOUCHES THE SURFACE
Surround the painting with side strips at least 1/4” higher than the painting’s surface. Even if there already is a high frame on the painting, it should still have side strips. These strips can be made from 3/16” foam core taped tightly to the sides of the painting or frame (tape to the back of the painting or frame and tightly at the corners). Glassine or silicone release paper can be used between the surface of the painting and the foam. A lid of foam core can then be attached over the top with tape. If the lid seems too flexible, double its thickness. It is also a good idea to tape a sheet of foam core to the bottom of the painting since the foam core serves as insulation. Your painting is now protected by an inner box.
Box lined with foam. Image credit: David A. Clark
INSULATING THE PAINTING
Insulating against hot or cold temperatures is in many respects the same as insulating against shock. The foam core inner box should be wrapped with several layers of bubble wrap (use extra bubble wrap on the corners). It should then be put in an outer box packed with bubble wrap or, if the piece is heavy, use thick sheets of foam rubber (such as thick weather stripping tape). Insert the painting vertically in the outer box. It helps to distribute any shock (think in terms of a diver diving into the water headfirst instead of belly first). We also recommend labeling the outer box with a vertical orientation.
Delicate assemblages, on the other hand, may be better off if kept horizontal to avoid putting too much downward pressure on the adhesive holding objects to the surface of the painting. However, if the objects are light and the adhesive is strong, the piece can be packed vertically. In all cases, the bottom of the box should be well padded with additional layers of bubble wrap or thick sheets of foam.
To test if you've included enough packing material, shake the outer box vigorously. If you feel the inner box moving, add more packing material. If the artwork is light, the outer box can be made of corrugated cardboard. If the work is heavy or it is being transported over a long distance, a plywood crate will give better protection.