Our Crating Department offers packing solutions for art and antiquities of every medium. Each crate is designed from the ground up and built from scratch to meet the specific needs of the artwork at hand.
All wood is treated for international shipping; plywood is chemically treated and lumber is heat-treated to comply with international guidelines and restrictions, and to ensure a pest-free container.
Although every art crate is unique, and the process is inherently creative, Fine Art Shipping imposes strict standards for optimum safety, efficient use of archival materials, packing/unpacking convenience, and aesthetic finish. Our staff collectively has many years of museum training which show in every crate we build.
The outer shells of our crates can be categorized into four basic classes:
A-Crates
(Travel Crates)
- suited for extended traveling shows, high-end artworks, long-term storage, or where inclement weather is a factor
- shell constructed of battened MDO, with plastic laminate under each face for a dual moisture barrior
- interior lined with high-grade EPS, rigid thermal insulation
- all contents cushioned in optimal foam protection -- exterior painted, stenciled and lacquered for moisture
- resistance and identification
- lid gasket and bolt closures for a consistent air-tight seal on every leg of a touring exhibition
- no exposure of artworks to wood
- for chemically unstable objects, EPS can be lined with Marvelseal for insulation from gasses and pollutants
- interior seams can be caulked for further moisture barrier
B-Crates
(Two-Way Crates)
- combining the A-crate’s structural strength and versatility with reduced production costs where practical, these adaptable crates meet the needs of clients on a budget
- shell constructed of battened ACX
- interior packing can be equal in quality to a travel crate or scaled back as safety of the object and budget permit
exterior fit and finish upgrades such as bolt closures are also available for these crates
C-Crates
(One-Way Crates)
- suited for economical one-way transport and short-term storage
- extra thick battens placed only at corners ensure sturdy construction and reduce shipping volume overall
- strong enough for international transport
Slat Crates
(Skeleton Crates)
- recommended for sturdy items where a cardboard box is not sufficient and full crating not needed
- can be skinned with cardboard or wrapped in plastic
- suited for non-freight shipment of items such as bronze sculptures and oversized solid pieces
Packing
- FAS offers a wide variety of packing solutions for crate interiors
- all crate contents are isolated, immobilized and surrounded with ample shock absorbtion
- an appropriate packing strategy is developed for each artwork from a palette of industry standard features including: inner boxes, sliding trays, guillotines, travel frames, foam beds, cavity packs, braces, buckled straps, webbing, welled trays, lined bumpers, softpacking, and loose fill
