Crating & shipping
Shipping
For small packages, I usually ship Fed Ex or UPS.
They both have a dimension limitation of girth + length less than or equal to 165". I often have to design a box to be just at or just under these dimensions. Girth = two times(width + depth).
Fed Ex Home Delivery has to be less than 60 lbs but they deliver on Saturday and can offer more specific delivery times & services.
Fed Ex Ground can handle up to 150 lbs. If you call them they will pick it up the next day. If you have to get it out the same day, you will have to drive it to the depot.
I usually ship the big boxes Fed Ex Freight. I tried UPS Freight once and it was an ordeal to get them to honor their quote. Their help staff in India hadn't been trained properly.
I have used Yellow Freight (YRC) a number of times, but lately their quotes have all been higher than Fed Ex Freight.
Via Freight, heavier boxes are less expensive to ship than light boxes! That seems counter-intuitive and doesn't make sense, but that's the way it is. It is cheaper to ship a box of bricks than the same box full of feathers.
Class is important when shipping freight. Lower class ratings are based on the density of the box and cost less to ship. I usually ship my wall sculptures as Class 70. I call them 'metal wall structures - new'. They don't like to ship 'Art', antiques or one-of-a-kind items. For sculptures, I call them 'architectural elements'.
However, don't worry. If you pack & crate properly, your precious artwork will arrive safe & sound.
Residential delivery - this is a bite- it costs an extra $100 (approximately) to deliver to a home residence.
- it usually takes an extra day or two - they have to phone and set the appointment
- be sure and specify a short truck, a straight truck or a pup-28 (vs. a big-dog semi)
- most driveways can't handle a semi, especially those long winding driveways in the tony estates
- the drivers will usually help with unloading but you may need to order a lift gate (more $)
- what about trees overhanging the driveway? I've seen some tall trucks take out some low-hanging limbs
- be sure and tell your clients how to open the box, handle and install the artwork.
Shipping Labels
These are fairly well-done and useful. I spray 3M glue on the back, stick them on the wood, then staple the four corners of the sign. Then I also print out a Shipping Label and attach that to the top.
Crating
coming soon
