Carriers drop boxes. Weather happens. If you assume gentleness, you’ll eventually pay tuition to the school of dented corners. This is my paranoia checklist—adjust for size, medium, and how much insurance you can stand.

Face protection first

Glass gets cross-braced tape; acrylic panels get film; oil or acrylic on canvas gets a sheet of glassine or archival paper so bubble wrap never kisses the surface directly. Sticky plastic on varnish is a horror movie.

Structure, not vibes

Double box when you can: inner snug, outer with two inches of crush space all around. Foam corners on frames, rigid panels on flat work. If it rattles, it loses.

Label like a librarian

“Fragile” stickers are wishes, not force fields. Clear addresses, duplicate labels inside the box, photos before sealing. If customs opens it, interior instructions help them repack without improvising tragedy.

Communicate with the buyer

Tracking, estimated arrival, what to do if the carton looks compromised. Shared expectations reduce panic when FedEx flexes.

Sold something through me? I’ll walk you through how that specific piece travels.