Your artwork is a very expensive and often very valuable investment. If you ever have a need to store it temporarily, there are some things you must do in order to prevent it from becoming damaged or ruined completely. Artwork requires extra care to retain its value and integrity. The following tips will help you store your artwork in a self-storage facility while keeping it safe:

Use A Climate Controlled Facility

When storing your expensive artwork, one of the first things you need to do is call and reserve a climate controlled storage unit. If artwork is placed in a storage unit that is subject to high temperatures and humidity, your delicate pieces can be badly affected. Climate controlled facilities have regulated temperature that is controlled by central air and heating units. By maintaining a regular temperature, your art will remain in good condition.

Use The Proper Packing Materials

To help retain your artwork, you also need to properly wrap it for storage. You will need to use more than simple brown packing paper to protect it. You should wrap the art in thick layers of bubble wrap or even big felt pieces. You could also purchase large, flat boxes typically used for mirrors to place framed or canvas pieces of art in. These boxes are typically sold by the storage company. 

Store The Artwork Correctly

The next step is to store the artwork and place it into the facility. Be sure you are storing your artwork standing upright rather than laying it flat on the floor. This will prevent any sagging of the canvas. You may also want to consider renting a stand designed to store artwork. This stand looks somewhat like a bike rack that art pieces can simply slide into.

Maintain A List

If you have a large amount of artwork to store, you should makes sure you are keeping a detailed list of every piece that you are putting into the unit. This will help you with facilitating any insurance claims on the art should it become damaged. Simply create a spreadsheet with a section for each piece. Include the name of the artist, a note of any existing damage there may have been, and the value of the piece. You may also want to copy a picture of each piece into the spreadsheet as well.

Your art collection is a very large investment, so it is crucial to make sure you store it properly. If you need extra assistance in storing your items, speak with the storage facility manager to ask for their expertise.