Moving house is stressful enough. But the anxiety shoots up a notch when you’ve got original artwork, rare collectibles, and framed heirlooms tagging along. Unlike your couch or cutlery, art isn’t something you can just wrap in a blanket and toss in the back of a van. If you’re searching for a reliable removalist in Sydney that the collectors will trust, you already know one wrong move can mean disaster.
Whether you’re an experienced art collector, a first-time investor, or someone with sentimental pieces that mean the world, this guide is here to help you move your artwork safely. From pre-packing preparation to transportation and insurance, we’ll walk you through everything, because when it comes to moving fine art, there’s no room for trial and error.
Understanding the Nature of Your Art
Before you even touch a bubble wrap roll, take a moment to assess what you’re dealing with.
Is it framed or unframed?
Framed art typically requires custom crating or corner protectors. Unframed canvas or loose paper artworks are more delicate and need flat packing.
What’s the medium?
Oil paintings, for instance, are more sensitive to temperature and humidity than acrylics. Watercolours can be incredibly delicate, especially on thin paper.
Sculptures and 3D art?
These require extra attention for weight distribution and shape. A bronze statue needs a different strategy than a glass-blown centrepiece.
Understanding the material and structure helps determine how best to protect each piece.
The Pre-Move Checklist for Art Collectors
You don’t wait until the moving truck arrives to start thinking about your Basquiat or your kid’s first crayon drawing (hey, art is personal). Here’s what to do ahead of time:
- Catalogue everything: List, label, and photograph each piece with timestamps.
- Get appraisals updated: Especially for insurance purposes. You’d be surprised how many people skip this step and regret it later.
- Measure dimensions: Height, width, depth, even weight if possible. This helps you decide on packaging and informs your movers.
- Check climate sensitivity: Some pieces can warp or crack under high humidity or dry air. Check for ideal storage/moving temps.
- Secure proper documentation: Certificates of authenticity, invoices, and customs paperwork if moving interstate or internationally.
Let’s Talk Packaging, Because That’s Where It All Begins
For Paintings and Canvases:
- Use acid-free tissue paper for surface protection.
- Wrap with glassine paper (non-stick, archival-grade).
- Add a layer of bubble wrap, but avoid wrapping directly against paint.
- Use corner protectors for frames.
- Place in custom-built cardboard boxes or wooden crates with foam padding.
Many experienced removalist in central coast offer custom packing solutions for art, and the same attention to detail is provided by Easygoing Removalist(the best)
For Sculptures:
- Wrap with soft fabric or foam first.
- Fill voids in crates with polyethylene foam or air cushions.
- Double-box fragile sculptures (yes, it’s worth the effort).
For Photographs or Paper Art:
- Use Mylar sleeves or archival boxes.
- Avoid humidity and fluctuating temperatures.
- Pack flat to prevent curling or bending.
The Role of Climate Control During Transit
Temperature and humidity shifts can wreak havoc on your collection.
What’s the risk?
- Canvas stretching or shrinking
- Paint cracking
- Mould growth on paper or wood
- Frame warping
The solution?
If your collection includes temperature-sensitive pieces, opt for climate-controlled trucks. EasyGoing Removalist offers such services, and that peace of mind is priceless.
How to Choose the Right Removalist
Not all removalists understand the unique demands of moving fine art. Here’s how to narrow down your options:
Look for:
- Experience with art relocations: Ask directly if they’ve handled valuable artworks before.
- Custom crating services
- Climate-controlled transport
- GPS-tracked moving trucks
- Trained handlers, not casuals
Ask these questions:
- How do you handle framed vs unframed works?
- Do you offer transit insurance for high-value items?
- Can I speak with past art clients?
Working with a team that speaks the same language as you when it comes to brush strokes and bronze castings is crucial.
Should You Insure It? (Yes. Always Yes.)
Art is emotionally and financially valuable. Whether it’s a $500 painting or a six-figure canvas, insurance is not optional.
Options:
- Check if your home contents insurance covers transit (often, it doesn’t).
- Get transit-specific insurance for the move.
- For international moves, ask about marine cargo insurance.
Don’t just rely on the mover’s standard cover, it’s usually not enough. If you’re unsure, speak with an art insurer or broker who deals with fine arts.
The DIY Trap, And Why You Should Avoid It
We get it. You’ve wrapped wine bottles and mirrors before. But fine art is a different beast.
Even something as simple as using the wrong tape or storing artworks upright in a truck can cause irreversible damage. Unless you’re trained and fully equipped, it’s best to avoid the DIY route, especially for valuable or irreplaceable pieces.
Special Considerations for Moving Interstate in Australia
Australia’s climate varies drastically between cities. Moving from Melbourne to Brisbane, for example, means jumping from dry to humid. Here’s what you need to remember:
- Adjust packaging to suit the climate at the destination.
- Factor in distance and handling, longer routes mean more vibrations, more chances of mishandling.
- Customs declarations if your artwork includes restricted or indigenous materials (like certain timbers or feathers).
What Happens After the Move?
Your artwork may look fine on the outside, but always unpack carefully and inspect for:
- Frame cracks
- Warping
- Smudges or transferred pigment
- Surface abrasions
Let pieces rest in a stable climate-controlled room for at least 48 hours before hanging them up again.
Tips from the Experts (That You Won’t Find on the Box)
- Never stack artwork flat unless it’s paper stored in archival folders.
- Avoid plastic wrap directly on art, it can trap moisture and lead to mould.
- Always transport art upright (unless it’s a sculpture).
- Use UV-filtering sleeves for light-sensitive pieces.
- If it rattles, it’s wrong, there should be no wiggle room inside the crate.
Case Study, When Art Moves Wrong
A loss not just in value, but in personal meaning. If you’re considering rubbish removal in Sydney for old packing materials after your move, choose a reputable provider to dispose of them responsibly One Sydney-based collector shared how a rare lithograph was packed with standard newspaper (a big no-no due to ink transfer) and stored on its side in a hot truck. The result? Smudged edges and warped paper.
The takeaway? Art needs specialists. Period.
EasyGoing Removalist, Your Go-To Art Moving Experts in Australia
When it comes to moving high-value artwork safely across Australia, EasyGoing Removalist has built a reputation for being the collector’s choice. Here’s why:
- Custom-built crates for every artwork size and shape
- Climate-controlled trucks to maintain optimal conditions
- Trained handlers who understand art-specific protocols
- Comprehensive insurance cover options
- White-glove service, because art deserves nothing less
Whether you’re moving from a city apartment in Melbourne to a gallery space in Byron Bay, or simply shifting a few prized pieces into storage, EasyGoing Removalist makes sure your art arrives exactly as it left, perfect and unharmed.
Because Art Is More Than Just an Object
Art isn’t just decoration. It’s a story, a memory, a vision. And when you’re moving, you don’t want to risk losing any of that to a careless bump or a humid truck. So take the time, plan it right, and partner with professionals who care just as much as you do.
Ready to move your art without worry? Contact us now to get a free quote!!!
Let EasyGoing Removalist handle the heavy lifting, literally and delicately.
