IMG_0397FOR PACKING, CRATING, HANDLING & TRANSPORT.

To liaise with the lenders, the Art Galleries/Museums/Organisers and the transport companies to enable the collection and return of works to an agreed schedule and standards.

UAPL is responsible for ensuring we handle, pack, transport and store the loaned works to the same standards that Museums/ Art Galleries used for their permanent collections.  If there are any objects which present special problems in packing and handling we have a team of specialised handlers and packers who survey and determine the most appropriate method.

IMG_0765Our guidelines for packing and handling of fine art are detailed below.

¨All works of art must be handled in a very professional and careful manner. Here are some of the Specific Requirements & procedures to be followed by all UAPL employees, when handling works of art.

¨All works are first physically surveyed to understand the nature of the art work
¨Survey is done by experienced Art handlers (Surveyor)
¨While survey, surveyor has to see the packing area and accessibility
¨Surveyor carries a pair of white cotton gloves, fiberglass inch tape and camera
¨Survey is done keeping the fact of safe orientation of the art works inside the crate

¨Objects should be packed using acid-free tissue paper wads or conservation approved plastazote foam, cut to fit the objects.  Polystyrene beads or chips should not be used.  Polythene bubble wrap may be used to line boxes or crates, but should not usually come into direct contact with objects without a buffering layer of acid free tissue in between.  An exception to this is the use of bubble wrap to wrap sculptures and projecting parts of furniture.  Metal objects should never be sealed in bubble wrap or polythene, due to the risk of corrosion caused by condensation.
¨Objects should be surrounded by packing material: below, above and on all sides.IMG_0391
¨Adhesive tapes should be avoided in packing, due to the risk of accidental adhesion to objects.  Tape may be used to secure bubble wrap, but great care should be taken only to stick the tape to the exterior of the wrapping material.

¨Crates should be labelled “Fragile” with the international symbol for a fragile load (an icon of a wine glass).  Indication of the correct orientation for the crate should be indicated with labels stating “this way up” with an arrow pointing to the top of the crate.