You make art. Someone paid for it. Now you have to move it from your studio or creative space to their hands without a single scratch. This guide shows you how to pack correctly and how to deliver safely inside Nigeria.
We've been delivering finished artworks for Beo Art Studio in Yenagoa across Nigeria, so everything here comes from real, everyday shipping in Nigeria.
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| Sample of a properly wrapped artwork for same-day delivery within Yenagoa. |
What Size And Type Of Art Are You Sending And How Far
Before we talk about shipping your art, we must consider factors like size, style and distance.
For regular-sized frames and portraits, even a delivery bike can handle it (short distances), but for larger art pieces consider a car or even trucks in some rare instances.
Use this simple guide:
Same city: book a reliable door-to-door rider. It is the fastest way to courier paintings within town.
Inter-state, standard timing: use a park waybill to a motor park near the buyer. It is common, fast on busy routes, and affordable if you packed well.
Inter-state, delicate or high value: consider a vetted express courier if they accept artwork on that lane. Confirm their rules, value limits, and packing requirements before you book.
Your decision depends on size, weight, value, urgency, and how rough the route is.
Packing Rules That Prevent Most Damage In Art Delivery
Good packaging is your first and real insurance. Follow these non-negotiables:
- No surface contact. Never let bubble wrap touch paint directly. Use a barrier layer first.
- Protect the corners. Corner and edge protectors are cheap and save frames.
- Float the piece. Keep 2–3 cm of cushioning on all sides so the art “floats” inside the box.
- Double-box framed work. Put a snug inner carton inside a tougher outer box with cushioning in between.
- If there’s glass: tape an “X” on the glazing to hold shards if it breaks, or ship with acrylic instead.
- Label clearly. “Fragile,” “This Side Up,” and orientation arrows on at least two faces.
Local Materials And Substitutes You Can Use For Packaging Art
- Barrier layer: glassine is ideal. If you can’t find it, use clean polyethylene or acid-free tissue.
- Cushioning: bubble wrap, foam sheets, or honeycomb board.
- Protection: corner and edge protectors for frames and canvases.
- Boxes: double-wall cartons for normal sizes; simple plywood travel box for very large work.
- Moisture control: silica gel (desiccant) packs and a sealed poly bag for the inner bundle.
- Wraps and tape: stretch wrap to lock everything in place, plus strong packing tape.
Where to buy: art supply stores, packaging material markets, building-material markets (for foam boards and corner pieces), and trusted online vendors.
Step-by-Step Packing Tips You Can Apply
A. Unframed canvas or board
- Place a barrier layer over the painted face.
- Wrap with foam or bubble.
- Add corner protectors.
- Put it in a snug inner box.
- Drop in silica gel, then seal the inner bundle inside a poly bag.
- Cushion inside a tougher outer box and seal firmly.
B. Framed piece (acrylic or glass)
- Tighten hanging hardware and secure loose wires.
- If it’s glass, tape an “X” across the glazing or swap to acrylic for shipping.
- Edge and corner protectors.
- Full wrap.
- Double-box with proper clearance.
C. Paper prints
- Flat pack: barrier layer, backing boards, sealed poly bag, then a rigid mailer or box.
- Tube: only for sturdy prints. Use a rigid tube with end caps and a barrier layer, then place the tube inside a box to prevent dents.
D. Oversize or heavy work
- Build a simple crate or use honeycomb panels with foam blocks on corners.
- Palletize if the weight justifies it.
- Mark “team lift” if it needs two people.
How To Navigate Nigeria’s Unique Seasons: What Actually Helps
- Seal the wrapped piece inside a poly bag with silica gel to stabilize moisture.
- Avoid leaving parcels in hot cars or the sun. Handover fast.
- For long routes or rainy sseason, use extra desiccant and add a moisture indicator card.
- Always keep the art upright and off wet floors at parks.
How To Ship Art: Choose Your Preferred Shipping Method
1. Door-to-door dispatch (same-city art delivery)
- When to use it: local deliveries, last-mile to collectors, gallery runs.
- How to brief the rider: keep upright, do not stack, avoid rain exposure, call before arrival.
- Proof: ask for photo proof and name of receiver. Keep it in your file with the receipt.
Happy customer and art lover | same-day art pickup and delivery from Beo Art studio.
2. Park waybill (inter-state within Nigeria)
- How it works: you hand over the parcel at a motor park, get a waybill receipt, and the parcel travels to the destination park. The buyer picks up with ID and the receipt or waybill number.
- Pros: fast on busy routes, fair price, human handover both ends.
- Cons: limited tracking, handling can be rough if you packed poorly.
What to do right:
- Double-box and reinforce edges.
- Write sender and receiver phone numbers on two sides of the box.
- Photograph the parcel, the waybill receipt, and the park sign.
- Send the waybill number and park location to your buyer immediately.
3. Express courier (for control or high value)
Reality: some couriers limit “works of art” or set value caps on certain lanes. Always call the local counter first.
Your checklist before booking:
- Confirm they accept paintings on your route.
- Confirm declared-value limits and what “insurance” really covers.
- Ask for their packing standard for framed pieces.
- Share dimensions and weight to avoid a surprise surcharge.
If the courier says no, go back to park waybill with stronger packing or use a crate.
Insurance and liability without headaches
- Courier liability is not full insurance. It usually pays by weight or capped value.
- If a piece matters, get Goods-in-Transit cover through your broker or ask your insurer for a rider that covers “studio to client” movements.
- Keep evidence: photos before packing, photos of each layer, the sealed parcel, the receipt, and delivery photos.
- Keep the invoice and a short condition note on file. This speeds up any claim or refund conversation.
Handover checklist you can print
- Barrier layer on the face
- Corners and edges protected
- Inner bundle sealed with silica gel
- Double-boxed with 2–3 cm clearance all round
- Labels: Fragile, This Side Up, orientation arrows
- Sender and receiver phone numbers on the box
- Photos taken of each packing step and the sealed box
- Waybill or tracking number saved and shared with the buyer
Spotlight: Beo Art Studio
We move finished pieces for Beo Art Studio to collectors across Nigeria. Browse recent paintings and commissions here: beoarts.com.
Final word
If you pack well, most “delivery problems” disappear. Choose the transport method that fits the piece, the route, and the buyer’s situation. Keep your documentation tight.
That’s it. Save the checklist, keep a small stock of packing materials in the studio, and you’ll ship artwork across Nigeria with less stress and fewer calls from worried buyers.
Please share your own packaging tips and thoughts in the comments below.
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