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Pink and blue abstract paint texture for packing and crating

Art Packing & Custom Crating in NYC

Artwork packing and custom art crates in New York City, planned around the object, route and unpacking. Connect crating with transport, storage or shipping.

Start with the object

Protection matched to the artwork and its journey.

Aiston assesses the artwork before recommending soft packing, reinforced protection or a custom crate. Dimensions, weight, surface, construction and condition shape the support plan.

Collectors, galleries and collection teams can coordinate packing with local transport, storage, exhibitions or international shipping from New York. The route matters: handling stages, carrier requirements, destination access and the person unpacking the work affect how it is protected, closed and labelled. Share photos, sizes, current packing and the destination to start a project-specific quote.

Structured teal and cream abstract artwork suggesting layered protection
01

Object

Surface, structure, frame, glazing, hardware, weight, and sensitivity.

02

Inner protection

Conservation-minded contact materials, wrapping, separation, and restraint.

03

Outer system

Soft pack, travel frame, reinforced protection, or custom crate as required.

04

Route

Vehicle, freight, terminals, handovers, destination access, unpacking, and return.

Protection methods

Not every move needs the same container.

Local handling

Soft packing

Selected for suitable works and controlled local movement where route, handling, surface, and destination support it.

  • Object-appropriate wrapping
  • Corner and surface protection
  • Labels and handling notes
Added structure

Reinforced protection

Used when distance, repeated handling, object construction, or project conditions call for more restraint and support.

  • Travel frames or rigid protection
  • Internal separation and blocking
  • Planned unpacking sequence
Custom construction

Crating

Designed for the specific object and route, including international, fair, exhibition, freight, storage, or repeat-use needs.

  • Measured fabrication
  • Interior support strategy
  • Marking and closure plan

Crate planning factors

Questions that shape construction

Will the work travel by truck, air, sea, or multiple modes?

Each mode introduces different handling, terminal, vibration, climate, orientation, timing, and documentation conditions.

Will the crate be opened, stored, or reused?

Opening sequence, hardware, labels, internal supports, storage footprint, and repeat-use expectations should be addressed before fabrication.

Who will unpack at destination?

Destination agent capability, access, tools, lifting needs, handling notes, and final placement affect the protection and closure plan.

Are carrier or country requirements already known?

Share any broker, carrier, fair, museum, insurer, or destination requirements so they can be reviewed for the specific project.

Before movement

Document, close, label, communicate.

  1. Review condition and photograph the object as scoped.
  2. Confirm internal support and orientation.
  3. Close and label for the planned handling chain.
  4. Share unpacking and destination notes with the responsible party.

Start with the essentials

Tell us what is moving and what needs to happen next.

Aiston reviews the artwork, locations, access, schedule, and connected services before confirming scope. A quote request is not a booking or an automatic price.

Protection by design

Prepare a packing or crating request

Share what you know now. Exact details can be confirmed with the project team.

  • Artwork photos, dimensions, medium, weight, frame, glazing, hardware, and condition concerns
  • Current packing or crate status and whether existing materials should be assessed
  • Origin, destination, route, carrier or freight method, handling environment, and timing
  • Any storage, viewing, installation, exhibition, fair, return, or repeated-use requirements
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