FedEx and UPS are two of the most popular shipping services, and you may wonder what’s better. This is especially important for art, as they have specific requirements to get to places safely. Here, we’ll go over the different ways that you’re going to ship out stuff, either FedEx or UPS, and what of course, is considered to be the better option.
The basics of Art Shipping
Art shipping is well, an art just like the actual contents themselves.
However, it’s deeper than that. It's a high-stakes game, and the last thing you want is something to arrive in pieces.
Here, we’ll go over the different types of ways to ship art.
The first, are art tubes. These are basically for rolled-up items, like posters, or delicate paintings made of canvas. Rolling these up and throwing them in an art tube is a good way to do this.
There are benefits to this, which include:
They protect from creases.
They’re durable, so they can withstand the transit process
They’re versatile
You’ve also got shipping boxes that are wholesale. This is good for galleries, or someone who regularly sends out artwork.
They’re your bestie, because of the following:
You save money when you ship it in bulk
There’s more variety with these, and they offer a range of products for you to stock up on
There’s safety in numbers, as these boxes are made to protect it.
Finally, we’ve got a cardboard tube, which is like the first one, the art tube.
They are a game changer, because of the following:
They’re sturdy, so there are no more dents and damaging items.
Very easy to label, so you’ll know exactly what’s in them
They’re good for all sorts of art mailing, whether it’s sketches, prints, or even pieces of fabric
There are also art shipping boxes, which house all of the items above pretty easily. This is good for singular pieces that need a little more care but can’t be rolled up into a tube.
The benefits are as follows:
Better cushioning, as it offers a comfier ride
It’s tailored for art, and designed to ensure a fit that’s snug
Easy to send and seal, so you don’t have to worry about fussing about with this
Art shipping is a form of art, in it of itself. You do need to use the right tools and take the correct care. when you go to these places, the journey can be really beautiful, especially for this.
FedEx Vs. UPS
UPS and FedEx are the two most common ways for you to ship, each with their own pros and cons. Below, we’ll go over both.
UPS offers tailored services for art, and a tracking system that’s like no others. For higher-valued items, they offer insurance, along with other options for this. The downside, however, is that they can be pricey, and there are limited options for really big pieces of art.
For UPS, there are a ton of different shipping box options, so you can get huge ones for big pieces, and even smaller ones for little trinkets.
They’re known for safely shipping art prints, so they have that reliability to them. They also offer bulk shipping for when there is a large number of shipments, as in the case of wholesalers.
UPS does have some restrictions on what they are willing to ship, however, and if you’ve got larger frames, this can pose a challenge. Plus, they take a bit longer than FedEx does to mail things.
