Art packing and crating
Packaging is the first and last line of defence for a work during transit. An ill-fitting crate, inappropriate materials, insufficient padding: the risk immediately becomes tangible. For 75 years, our packing workshop has been designing and manufacturing packaging solutions tailored to each type of work, each mode of transport and each destination.
Our crating workshop
Protecting your cherished artworks and valuable items demands a high level of sophistication and skill
We offer specialized art packing services designed to guard and preserve your most prized possessions. Drawing from extensive expertise, we meticulously select materials that ensure unparalleled protection.
We apply the principle of "three layers". A complete package for your artwork, whether it's a crate or a soft packing, consists of three levels:
The first layer protects the surface. Depending on the case and budget, we use tissue paper, crystal paper, melinex or polyester-fiber-based compounds such as tyvek.
The second layer is the cushioning layer. The main product used is polyurethane or polyethylene foam in all its forms, thicknesses and densities. Foam is mainly used to cover the inside of the crates. Other materials used for cushioning include bullpack for paintings or packing chips.
The third layer gives rigidity. The reference material for travel crates and frames is wood, mainly plywood. When looking for alternative to wood, cardboard remains an unrivalled product for completing the third layer: it's practical, economical and easy to work with.
It refers to all forms of protection and packaging with the exception of a crate. This type of packaging covers most objects that can be handled manually. For a painting, the optimal pre-packaging is as follows:
1. Tyvek over the paint layer.
2. A layer of bullpack and foam corners on the frame and edges.
3. Cardboard front and back, and belting.
Ideal for artworks with layers that aren’t fully dry or can't touch any surface. We build a custom cardboard protective box, suspending a protective plastic film above the canvas.
For fragile artwork, mirrors, and items that shouldn’t touch protective elements, we introduce the Travel Frame – a wooden frame allowing artworks to "float", eliminating contact risks and ensuring easy handling.
Every piece of art is unique, and so is its protective casing. Our team of skilled craftsmen designs wooden crates tailor-made for each artwork, addressing both your budget and safety requirements. The wood undergoes international standard treatments, offering crates in various styles
Designed for transporting artworks via truck, plane, or ship.
Used for storage or the transfer of sturdier objects, it uses fewer wooden panels to reduce weight and price.
Adhering to public institution requirements, this crate withstands multiple transits, boasting an impressive lifespan.
Various Packaging Materials
Every artwork has its unique nuances, and we recognize this.
Depending on your needs, the duration and distance of transit, our experts will recommend the best-suited packaging:
Advanced 3D Modelling
The Future of art packing
At the forefront of packing innovation, we use Pack&Strat technology. Every artwork undergoes a detailed 3D scan, leading to automatically precision-cut layers of pre-packagingmaterials, considering every detail of the item. This technology assures unmatched protection, ensuring your artworks remain in pristine condition.
Special Attention for Specific Objects
Some components require solutions that don't fit into standard categories. Our workshop is accustomed to complex cases.
Oversized sculptures and heavy loads
For monumental sculptures, multi-tonne marble or bronze pieces, and voluminous installations: design of a specific transport and protection structure, including load calculations and analysis of the loading configuration.
Chandeliers and glass objects
The packaging of blown glass pieces, chandeliers, and fragile ceramic works requires custom-moulded cushioning foams. Each item is individually secured to prevent contact between pieces during transit.
Mirrors and works on mirror
Specific surface protection to prevent scratches, reinforcement of weak areas (corners, joints), rigid structure independent of the frame.
Works in progress drying
Shadow box or custom protection allowing air circulation around the artwork during transport — in coordination with the artist or conservator.
Artwork packaging price
As with transport, there is no catalogue price for the packing of works of art. Each quote depends on several parameters:
Setting | Impact |
Type of packaging chosen | Soft pack – standard case – bespoke case – museum case |
Dimensions and weight of the work | Directly on the quantity of materials and the case size |
Planned mode of transport | Air – sea – road |
Degree of fragility and value | Control the thickness of the layers and the quality of the materials |
Manufacturing lead time | Urgent fabrication vs. standard delivery |
We respond to all quote requests within 24 hours.
Packaging and transport — a single point of contact
The transition between packaging and transport is a potential risk. When the packer and the transporter are two different companies, no one is fully responsible for what happens between them. At Embelco, the crating workshop and the transport fleet are under the same management and the same protocols. The continuity of responsibility is total, from packing to final delivery.
They trusted us
FAQ
How is your packaging different from a traditional removal company's?
A mover packs items to prevent mechanical damage during a short transport. The packing of a work of art takes into account the fragility of the surfaces (varnish, pigments, support), climatic variations during transit, specific constraints related to modes of transport (vibrations in road transport, pressure variations in air transport), and sometimes the contractual requirements of a lending museum. These are two distinct professions.
Do all artworks require a wooden crate?
No. The soft pack is sufficient for short, low-risk transport. The shadow box is suitable for relief works or those in the process of drying. A wooden crate becomes necessary for international transport, fragile works, or those of significant value, and for loans to institutions. We recommend the appropriate level of protection for each situation.
What is the difference between a standard crate and a museum-quality crate?
A standard crate is sized to withstand transport and can be adapted with internal padding. A museum-quality crate meets the formal requirements of institutions: ISPM-15 treated wood, seals, integrated thermal insulation, hardware with tamper-evident opening indicators, and complete documentation. Museums require this standard to accept loans.
Can I get a custom crate for unusual dimensions?
Yes. Our workshop manufactures crates to the exact dimensions of the artwork, whatever the size. Oversized formats (large paintings, monumental sculptures) are our speciality.
What is ISPM-15 and are your crates compliant with it?
ISPM-15 is an international phytosanitary standard that requires heat treatment of wooden packaging for exports outside the European Union. Without ISPM-15 marking, a crate will be refused or destroyed at customs. All our crates intended for international export are manufactured using certified ISPM-15 treated wood.
Services
