Shipping canvas born art presents special problems. The tense canvas can react
with shock or vibration during transit leading
to flaking of the paint. The first line of defense
is a backing board screwed to the stretcher. This
will damp out vibration and if it is puncture
resistant, it will protect the canvas from the
rear. Since one can expect changes in temperature
during transit, keeping the plastic wrap off
the surface of the painting helps to avoid
interactions between the plastic and the varnish.
This can be done if an inexpensive travel frame
(think of a large floater frame made of inexpensive wood to which the canvas can be attached with mending plates). When the painting
is in the travel frame, it can be wrapped with
polyethylene sheeting. The outside crate should
be made larger than the travel frame so that
ureathane foam corners can be set in between them
to pad the load. The outer crate may be made of
thick plywood, but that can be quite expensive and cumbersome. One can add scrap acrylic sheet to thinner plywood to enhance its puncture resistance and save on cost and weight. An edge of 2X4, 2X6, 2X8, can provide protection and strength to the sides of the crate. The lid should be screwed on to facilitate its removal.
A layer of weatherstripping foam can be used to
seal the lid to the bottom of the crate.
Hugh
