Crating & packing
Guardian’s team of project and art handling professionals evaluate each packing project individually, prioritizing the safety and integrity of your collection. We are equipped to construct everything from protective cardboard slipcases and shadowboxes to museum-quality crates for domestic and international shipping. Guardian is prepared to facilitate the safe transportation and storage of your artwork, artifacts, and assets. Our professional team will customize your build based on your budget, timeline, destination, and the inherent needs of the object. We also build high-quality storage boxes and crates with archival materials for secure, long-term storage.
Guardian-made crates are ISPM-15 compliant and stamped, meaning our crates are suitable for domestic as well as international shipping.
Guardian-made crates are ISPM-15 compliant and stamped, meaning our crates are suitable for domestic as well as international shipping.
Slat Crates & T-FramesT-Frame Crates & Slat Crates provide a reliable way to safely store and ship artwork. T-Frame Crates are suited for 2D works, while Slat Crates are made for housing 3D works. Their skeletal design provides the support and integrity needed to fully brace and/or suspend works while keeping the build lightweight and affordable. For added protection during fine art transportation and storage, Coroplast walls may be added to the crate structure. |
Full CratesFull crates are a more robust build, consisting of full plywood walls with heat treated, pine batons. This crate provides a fully enclosed cavity, protecting works from environmental hazards. This option is appropriate for long-distance travel and long-term storage. Foam braces and padding are added to lock in and protect works for any bumps along the way. A full crate can be used for single and multiple 2D and/or 3D objects. |
Museum CratesOffering the greatest amount of protection, museum crates are the superior option for safely transporting items of value, both domestically and internationally. To ensure a steady internal climate, museum crates are lined with insulating foam and given a gasketed lid. The exterior is fully clear coated and/or painted to shield against environmental weathering. Bolt closures are used to attach the lid, allowing the crate to be used multiple times with minimal wear and tear. |
Custom Solutions
Interior travel frames and boxes: An internal wooden travel frame or cardboard box is often used to stabilize fragile or unframed objects before being braced and padded into a full or museum crate. This protects the edges of the frame or painting while in transit by attaching the piece directly to the travel frame, preventing contact with bumpers or bracing.
Cavity packing: For highly fragile or embellished objects that require additional stabilization, cavity packing prior to crating can ensure the piece experiences as little disturbance as possible. Cavities are cut into Ethafoam and lined with Tyvek or other appropriate materials, then the object is inserted into the cavity.
Tray systems: A tray system made of coroplast with Ethafoam bumpers can be employed to crate multiple framed works in one crate. Plywood trays can also be utilized for heavier objects.
Custom boxes: Custom boxes provide the most basic needs for the shipping, handling and storage of your artwork and collectables. Each box is built to the exact specifications needed for the piece at hand. Slipcases and Shadow Boxes are used for housing 2D works and boxes can be built to any size or scale to facilitate 3D works.
Cavity packing: For highly fragile or embellished objects that require additional stabilization, cavity packing prior to crating can ensure the piece experiences as little disturbance as possible. Cavities are cut into Ethafoam and lined with Tyvek or other appropriate materials, then the object is inserted into the cavity.
Tray systems: A tray system made of coroplast with Ethafoam bumpers can be employed to crate multiple framed works in one crate. Plywood trays can also be utilized for heavier objects.
Custom boxes: Custom boxes provide the most basic needs for the shipping, handling and storage of your artwork and collectables. Each box is built to the exact specifications needed for the piece at hand. Slipcases and Shadow Boxes are used for housing 2D works and boxes can be built to any size or scale to facilitate 3D works.
