Storing Your Artwork
If you’re an artist, you most likely have a number of pieces that either aren’t finished or that you’re waiting to display or sell. The storage space in your house might be getting full, and if you have big pieces such as life-size sculptures or large paintings, you may be thinking about an alternative storage solution. At EZ Storage® in Detroit, we can help you store your artwork for as long as you need, and you’ll know that your creations are safe and sound.
Archiving Your Work
As a working artist who’s been creating work for years, you most likely have an archive or catalog system already in place. However, when you’re getting ready to put some of your work into storage, it can be beneficial to take photos of every piece from multiple angles and write on or type out an inventory list of everything that will be going into the unit. If you have photographs or prints, make sure that they’re stored between acid-free archival paper, as this can protect them from damage, especially if they’re going to be stored for a long time. Making a list of each piece’s title, dimensions, and other details can make life much easier.
Packing Your Work
The next step, after you’ve photographed and cataloged your work, is to begin packing it. Cleaning everything properly before wrapping it up or putting in a crate can protect it against damage, and it’s important to do your research on the best cleaning materials for wood, metal, or whatever material your art happens to be on or made of. Wiping dust off paintings before wrapping them can protect them from damage, and you’ll want to have the right type of archival paper for these two-dimensional pieces as well. You don’t want to wrap them too tightly so the paper touches the paint, but you’ll want to make sure it’s secure around the frame or canvas. Your local art supply store should be able to help you find the appropriate paper, tape, and other packing materials.
Find Storage For Your Artwork!
For three-dimensional pieces such as sculptures, a sturdy wooden crate is often the best option. You may be storing a sculpture for a few months before it’s shipped to its final destination, and you’ll want to pick a crate that’s the proper size for the piece. Securing the base of the sculpture to the bottom of the crate will keep it from moving during transit, and filling material such as bubble wrap or shredded paper can protect the piece while it’s in storage. Again, it’s important to choose the right packing material, and while smaller pieces can be safe in a sturdy box with some bubble wrap, a larger or life-size piece may need a custom crate and specific packing products. You’ll of course need to wrap the piece itself before putting it in the box or crate.
Organizing and Stacking Artwork
If you’re storing photographs or paintings, it’s best to stack them side by side, not on top of each other. It can also be a good idea to elevate them off the ground and put some padding 
underneath them so they’re not resting on a hard surface for months at a time. If they’re leaning against one another, make sure a smaller painting isn’t resting too heavily on the inside of a large one, as this can damage the artwork. For sculptures, it’s okay to put smaller crates on top of larger ones, but again, small pieces can weigh a lot and could damage the crate underneath. Putting your crates on pallets can also be a good idea, and make sure you leave enough room around each one so that you can walk between all your crates. This will also make it easier to find the crate you need three months from now when you want to take a specific piece out of storage.
When you need affordable self-storage for your artwork, let EZ Storage® help. We have locations all across the greater Detroit area, and can show you a number of storage options that will fit your needs. No matter how many pieces you have or how long you need to store your work, you’ll receive friendly and experienced service every time you stop by or call.
Contact us today to learn more!