Bespoke Wooden Shipping Crates, Made In-House
Tailor-made solutions for delicate art.
Transporting a work of art, a cherished antique, or any high-value item demands more than careful handling. It requires a crate designed and built specifically for that piece. At Williams & Yates, every crate we produce is made in-house, from initial assessment through to the finished case. Nothing is sourced from a catalogue, and no two crates are the same.
Our crate making service supports private collectors, galleries, auction houses, and anyone moving a piece that deserves exceptional protection. Whether you need a single crate for an imminent shipment or crating as part of a wider relocation, our team is ready to assist.
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Custom Crates Built Around Your Piece
Every crate begins with a careful assessment of the item it will protect. We consider the nature and condition of the piece, its dimensions and weight, how it will be handled during transit, and the particular risks it faces along the way. This informs every decision that follows, from the internal structure and padding to the choice of timber and the overall build.
We build crates for a broad range of items, including oil paintings, sculptures, antique furniture, musical instruments, ceramics, and other fragile or irregularly shaped pieces. Where a standard off-the-shelf solution would compromise the protection of the item, a bespoke crate will not.
All crates are designed and built at our Dunstable facility. Manufacturing in-house means we maintain complete control over quality at every stage, and it means our team can respond quickly when timelines are tight.
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The Types of Crates We Build
The type of crate required depends on the nature of the piece, the conditions it will face in transit, and whether the move is domestic, international, by road, or by air freight. We regularly build the following:
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2D Crates
Designed for flat artworks, including individual paintings or a collection of works. A 2D crate holds the piece securely within a flat-profile case, with internal padding tailored to the dimensions and surface of the work.
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3D Crates
Used for sculptures, ornamental pieces, and any item with an irregular or three-dimensional form. The internal structure is built around the specific shape of the piece, preventing movement in any direction during transit.
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Museum Crates
Museum crates are built to house a collection of items together, providing consistent protection during storage or transportation. They are often used when pieces are between display periods or being moved between locations, and are constructed to meet the standards expected by museums, galleries, and private collections alike.
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A-Frame Crates
An A-frame crate is designed specifically for oil paintings that are at risk of paint slippage. Rather than being transported flat, the painting is held at an angle within the crate, reducing the stress on the paint surface and significantly lowering the risk of damage during movement.
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Materials and Compliance
All crates produced at Williams & Yates are built from FSC and PEFC certified timber. This ensures every crate meets international shipping regulations and is sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Our timber is ISPM 15 compliant, which is a requirement for the export of wooden packaging to most international destinations, including the United States, Australia, and all EU member states. ISPM 15 certification ensures crates will not be held or rejected at customs on the grounds of phytosanitary non-compliance.
The material properties of our certified timber also make it well suited to protecting sensitive pieces over long journeys. It resists changes in temperature and humidity, prevents water ingress and abrasion, and is suited to both manual and mechanical handling, which is particularly relevant for large or heavy items being moved by air freight or international road transport.
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Fast Turnarounds, Including Last-Minute Requests
Shipping deadlines do not always allow for extended lead times. Our crate makers work around the clock when needed, ensuring that even urgent requests can be fulfilled without compromising the quality of the finished case. If a crate is required to meet a pressing shipping deadline, that deadline will not be a limitation at Williams & Yates.
Speak to usPart of a Complete Fine Art Service
For many clients, crating is just one element of a larger undertaking. Williams & Yates offers a complete fine art logistics service, where the team that builds the crate is the same team handling the packing, transportation, storage, and installation of your piece.
This continuity matters. When a single, trusted team oversees every stage of a piece’s journey, there are no handoffs, no assumptions, and no gaps in the standard of care. From the moment we assess your item through to its arrival and reinstallation, your piece remains in the hands of people who know it.
Whether your requirements involve fine art moving, fine art storage between display periods, or art installation at the destination, our team can manage the full scope of the project as a seamless, coordinated service.
Discuss Your Crating Requirements
Whether you need a single crate for a forthcoming shipment or crating as part of a wider relocation, speak to our team to discuss what your piece requires. We are happy to advise on the most appropriate crate type and talk through any specific concerns before we begin.
Contact us
To book or ask us a question, call us on 0208 081 0188 or get in touch.