Preparing fine art for transit is an art itself. If handled incorrectly, the journey from point A to B can end with irrevocable damage, unnecessary delay, and frustration. To ensure that a transfer goes as smoothly as possible, it is important to enlist the services of a specialist. After all, when you want to obtain art, you contact an artist; so, when you want to ship that art, you should do the same.

Professional art handlers will tailor the packing configuration to the individual art piece, making sure it is properly protected. There are several layers of protective material involved in the proper packaging of a piece of art: the initial wrapping, which lies closest to the art itself; the secondary layer, which is the padding between the wrapped object and the crate walls; and then, there is the crate itself, which is a hard outer casing.

The choice of wrapping material is often as significant as the crate in which the piece is shipped. The wrapping is in constant contact with the art throughout packing and shipping and as such the choice of materials is of the utmost importance: certain materials react badly with certain kinds of art. There are types of foam packing material, for example, which produce gases that can damage paintings; others curtail the flow of air around the object, leading to mold and mildew. The ideal wrapping substance is absorbent and acid-free; widely used materials include silk paper, cloth or dust-free foam.

The secondary layer of protective material is just as important, and just as variable, as the first. It is designed to cushion the object and absorb the bumps and shocks of travel. The material used to create this second layer depends on the condition that the piece is in; how far it is going; whether it will be traveling by land, sea or air; and much more. Frequently, it is comprised of layers of foam, selected on the basis of its particular density. In some cases, the secondary layer will be an additional structure within the crate, such as a splint or a suspension device.

Encasing the two inner layers is the essential wooden crate, the first line of defense against the stresses of travel. The crates are custom-fitted, and can be tailored to whatever specifications the piece might require. "Crates are built to measure by in-house specialists,"according to Mr. Cool. "They sometimes have internal or external structures, or are stilted, lined and fitted with shock-absorbers."

Crown Paris once packed a 1,200-piece collection of Etruscan pottery belonging to the Louvre in a combination of silk paper, bubble wrap and cardboard. Once the packing was done, the collection was placed in 248 wooden crates and placed in storage. "The four-person crew spent 38 days carefully wrapping each piece of pottery,"said Marc Cool, Administration Manager at Crown Paris. "We have to treat each piece individually."

Of course, the packing is only one part of the complex process of shipping fine art. Once the piece is secured and crated, it must be transported. It is important that the utmost care be exercised when moving the object. Climate-controlled vehicles are ideal, and having the proper clearance to minimize delays and maximize security is imperative; again, a specialist will be able to help you with these things, from gaining tarmac access at the local airport to organizing a high-security convoy to collect the piece at its destination.

The act of removing a piece of art from its native country will also require the expertise of an experienced company, as each nation has different regulations concerning the export of fine art pieces. In some countries, for example, works of art may be purchased but not exported.

Clearly, transporting a piece of fine art is far more complicated than simply putting it in a box and placing it in the post. There are innumerable factors to consider if you want to ensure the object’s safety and smooth transit. From the selection of wrapping materials to the navigation of customs and export rules, it is a task that requires experience and skill; it is an art unto itself.