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How to Store, Frame and Ship Pastel Paintings: Protecting Your Finished Artwork
Art Supplies Unboxed: Final Entry
This post wraps up my Art Supplies Unboxed series—and in many ways, it’s the most practical of them all. You’ve seen the tools I rely on to create detailed pastel paintings, but what happens after the final stroke is just as important. Learning how to frame and ship pastel paintings is essential for preserving your artwork, presenting it professionally, and delivering it safely into the hands of collectors.
Whether you’re a fellow artist preparing for a show or a collector curious about how these pieces make their way from my easel to your wall, these are the trusted methods I use to protect each finished painting.
Storing Unframed Pastel Paintings Safely
Although I work exclusively on Ampersand Pastelbord—a sturdy surface that handles pastel well—it still requires careful storage once the piece is complete. After applying a very light fixative, I immediately slide the artwork into a clear, acid-free artwork storage bag. These are designed for standard panel sizes and help protect against dust and smudging.
Once bagged, I store pastel paintings either:
Upright between foam boards, or
Flat in shallow art boxes – sturdy cardboard boxes also work well.
I never stack pieces without separation. Each finished work is treated like it matters—because it does.
Transporting Pastel Art: Framed and Unframed
When transporting pastel art, either framed or unframed, minimizing movement is the goal. For local shows or short trips, I use rigid art portfolios or boxes lined with foam core.
If I’m transporting several framed pastel paintings to a show, I separate each one with foam sheets or soft blankets to protect both frame and glass. The paintings stay flat or upright—never tilted—during travel, and always away from direct sunlight or heat. And yes, I drive like I’ve got a newborn colt in the back seat.
Shipping Pastel Paintings: Framed vs. Unframed
Shipping artwork can be a tedious and nerve-wracking process, but it can be done safely, whether unframed or matted and framed.
How to Ship Unframed Pastel Paintings
In most cases, shipping unframed pastel artwork is easier, more cost-effective, and far less risky. It’s also a popular option for collectors who want to choose their own framing style.
Here’s how I do it:
Place the pastel painting inside a protective sleeve.
Slide that into a slightly larger sleeve with two cardboard inserts—one in front and one behind the artwork—for added stability.
Pad the sleeve as needed with bubble wrap or paper towels to prevent shifting.
Insert everything into a padded mailer or shipping box, adding extra padding so the artwork stays snug during transit.
Note: While some artists roll pastel paper into mailing tubes, it’s impossible to ship this way for rigid surfaces like Pastelbord.
How to Ship Framed Pastel Paintings Safely
Shipping framed pastel art takes more prep work. Here’s my step-by-step system for shipping framed pastel paintings:
Step 1: Protect the Glass
I use Glas-Skin from Airfloat, which is a wide, tape-like film made specifically to protect glass during shipping… yet it can be removed without leaving film on the surface of the glass. I cover the entire glass surface to minimize the risk of shattering.
Step 2: Wrap and Pad the Frame
Wrap the entire frame in bubble wrap or foam sheets.
Add cut cardboard pieces to both the front and back for extra protection.
Use masking tape to hold everything in place.
Step 3: Box It Securely
Airfloat Strong Boxes
I own and use a few Airfloat Strong Boxes which I use to ship my pastel paintings to shows or collectors whenever possible. These are designed for shipping artwork and save time and worry.
Regular Shipping Boxes
I also use the following system to ship artwork using regular shipping boxes. The key to shipping artwork this way is to pad, pad, pad!
Regardless of the size of the piece, I wrap the entire framed painting in bubble wrap, or use foam for padding, making sure the corners are also sufficiently padded.
When I pack and ship this way I’ll also cut cardboard pieces to place on both front and back of the framed artwork for reinforcement, as well as additional padding, I then use masking tape or shipping tape to secure the entire padding assembly and artwork snuggly.
Once I have the artwork prepped and securely taped, I place it into a shipping box (that is a little bigger than the artwork with its padding) and place even more padding (usually bubble wrap) inside the box until everything is snug and secure. This ensures that shifting inside the box while in transport is reduced or, preferably, completely prevented.
Note: I mat and frame my artwork in such a way that the glass never touches the artwork directly. Every shipment is labeled with “Fragile” and “Glass Inside,” and I never send one without insurance and signature confirmation.
Tip: I save the cardboard (from the shipping boxes that I receive my art supplies in) to re-use later to help pack and protect artwork when shipping it to collectors or art shows.
How I Frame Pastel Paintings for Shows and Collectors
Framing isn’t just about presentation—it’s about long-term protection.
Whether I frame a piece myself or have it professionally done, I always use:
Archival materials
UV-protective glass
Mats or spacers to prevent the pastel surface from touching the glass
When I frame pieces on my own, I choose deep-set frames or use glass spacers. Every element—from hanging hardware to backing—is secured for both display and travel.
I sign all original pastels on the front and include a signed Certificate of Authenticity attached to the back of the frame.
Final Thoughts: The Quiet Craft of Stewardship
Learning how to frame and ship pastel paintings may not sound glamorous, but it’s a critical part of what I do as an artist Every pastel I create holds a story—of the West, of the ranch, or of a quiet moment—and these final steps help ensure that story makes it safely to its destination.
Whether you’re a collector, an emerging artist, or just curious about what happens after the last pastel stroke, I hope this post offered practical insight. Thank you for following along with my Art Supplies Unboxed series.
More stories from the studio are coming soon—but for now, it’s time to get back to the easel.
Explore the Full Series: Art Supplies Unboxed
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like the other entries in the series:
