Shipping Artwork 🚚📦
Shipping artwork can be extremely intimidating and a big obstacle for many artists trying to get going. I have artwork in every state and several dozen countries. Here are a few tips, tools, and suggestions from my many years of experience 📬
There are sites out there for discounted shipping labels. Just be mindful of the terms and policies. Some of you may have suggestions you can drop for your favorite discount resources. There are also options through e-commerce platforms like Shopify 💌
Flat rate boxes from USPS are one of my favorites. I specifically started creating some small works that would allow me to fit two pieces to a box. This allows me to have a firm cost, regardless of where I'm shipping in the US. No surprises. I can then pad my costs by building that into my sale price, allowing me to offer free shipping, which collectors love. Not only that, I can grab a stack of boxes when I go to the post office so I save costs on materials 🧑🎨
When shipping larger and more valuable works, a professional shipping service can be a great option. Many will pick up, package, ship, and insure. You may want to shop around for the best resource, because pricing can vary greatly. Though the costs may seem high, factor in your time, energy, and supply costs for doing it on your own. I've built some great relationships with some of these shippers over the years, with some really going above and beyond to take care of me because of the volume of business I bring them. It's often worth it. Another reason these services can be good, is because if you have an insurance claim, many carriers won't honor them unless the work is professionally packaged because of insurance fraud 👆😲
One tactic I regularly use, because I ship worldwide and have shipped hundreds of pieces, is to ask my carriers to give me costs for several different sizes, weights, and values to different destinations. I'll often get one to ship across the country, as well as a couple for countries I regularly ship to. This allows me to have a rough estimate I can build off of in my pricing structure. I generally add what I determine a reasonable number into my sale price, including shipping in my costs. On some projects I may have a slightly higher or lower profit margin, but it keeps things simpler, and it keeps collectors happy 😊
If you are shipping internationally, particularly in the current state of the world, things can get very interesting. If you are doing a lot of international shipping, you may want to use a professional shipper for a number of reasons, including insurance and general security. One thing artists often don't know about until they learn the hard way, is the duties associated with international shipments. Make sure you ask about the duties to your destination, otherwise your collector may get hit with a massive bill on the back end from customs for duties and tariffs. Policies on duties can be a little grey. I recommend educating yourself and making the best decision for you. If in doubt, speak to a professional ✅
I hope this helps a little. I drop a lot of tips and support on my blog and other pages if you would like to join me on this journey. I also offer private mentoring sessions and write for Painting World Magazine. You should definitely give them a follow and subscribe to their magazine 🙏💙
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