label Business
Art galleries and framers can store framed and unframed paintings, works on paper, sculpture, display plinths, frame stock and catalogues in a private storage room between shows. Keep paints, varnishes, solvents and aerosols out. Wrap paintings in glassine or acid-free tissue, store them upright, keep paper flat in acid-free folders, crate sculpture and keep a photographed stock list. Self Storage India offers private, lockable rooms with 24/7 CCTV, regular pest control, monthly plans with no lock-in and a GST invoice for business customers.
- Why do galleries and framers need storage?
- What can a gallery or framer store?
- How should paintings be packed for storage?
- How should works on paper be stored?
- How should sculpture and ceramics be stored?
- How should framers store client pieces and frame stock?
- How should display furniture and lighting be stored?
- How do you protect art from Delhi's humidity?
- How do you keep a record of every work?
- How secure is a storage room for artworks?
- How much does gallery storage cost?
- Where can galleries store artworks in Delhi NCR?
- Gallery and framer storage checklist
- FAQs
- Sources and notes
Art galleries and framing studios in Delhi NCR handle a constant flow of artworks: pieces arriving for a show, works coming down after one, consigned paintings waiting for a buyer and frames waiting for collection. Gallery walls change every few weeks, but back rooms are small and space in Lado Sarai, Hauz Khas or a Gurugram mall is expensive. A private storage room gives a gallery or framer a secure place to hold works between shows, so the gallery itself can stay clear for display and clients. This guide covers how to pack paintings, prints and sculpture for storage, how to manage Delhi's humidity, and how to keep an accurate record of every work.
Why do galleries and framers need storage?
- Shows rotate. Works from the last show need somewhere to go while the next one is hung.
- Consigned stock builds up. Unsold works from artists stay in the gallery's care for months.
- Back rooms are small. Racks fill quickly, and crowded racks lead to damage.
- Framers hold client pieces. Finished frames often wait days or weeks for collection.
- Display furniture is bulky. Plinths, easels, display stands and lighting are used only for some shows.
What can a gallery or framer store?
| Item | Store it? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Framed and unframed paintings | Yes | Wrapped, upright, never stacked flat |
| Prints, drawings and works on paper | Yes | Flat in folders with acid-free tissue |
| Sculpture and ceramics | Yes | Crated or boxed with padding |
| Plinths, easels and display stands | Yes | Wrapped, off the floor |
| Frame stock, mounts and glass | Yes | Upright, with glass edges protected |
| Catalogues and show material | Yes | Boxed by show |
| Paints, varnishes, solvents and fixatives | No | Chemicals and flammables are prohibited |
| Spray adhesives and aerosols | No | Aerosols are prohibited |
See the full list of what can and cannot be stored, and ask the team about anything you're unsure of.
How should paintings be packed for storage?
Make sure every painting is fully dry before it is wrapped; fresh oil paintings can take a long time to dry. Wrap the surface in glassine or acid-free tissue, not bubble wrap directly, because bubble wrap can leave marks on the paint. Add corner protectors and a layer of bubble wrap or foam over the tissue, then a cardboard sleeve. Store paintings standing upright on their edges, never lying flat in a pile, and place a sheet of board between works. Mark the front with "This side faces out" so handlers don't press on the canvas. Our guide on storing precious paintings has more detail.
How should works on paper be stored?
Prints, drawings and photographs are the most sensitive to damp and light. Store them flat in acid-free folders or solander boxes, with a sheet of acid-free tissue between each work. Don't roll works on paper unless the artist sent them rolled. Keep boxes on shelves rather than the floor, and don't stack heavy items on them. Handle the paper with clean, dry hands or cotton gloves.
How should sculpture and ceramics be stored?
Wrap each piece in tissue and then in foam or bubble wrap, paying attention to projecting parts. Put small pieces in boxes with padding on all sides, and crate larger or heavier ones. Store the heaviest items on the lowest shelf or on a pallet, never above head height. Label each box with the work's number and "Fragile" on every side.
How should framers store client pieces and frame stock?
Finished frames waiting for collection should be wrapped and labelled with the order number and client code, not the client's name. Store glazed frames upright with the glass protected by corner guards and cardboard. Keep moulding lengths flat on a rack or upright in a bin so they don't warp. Stack mount board flat and keep it dry. Store spare glass in its original packing, upright, with the edges covered.
How should display furniture and lighting be stored?
Plinths, easels, pedestals and track lights are only needed for some shows, so they are a good fit for storage. Wipe plinths clean, wrap their corners and store them upright or on their side on a pallet. Fold easels and tie them in bundles. Pack track lights and spotlights in their boxes with the bulbs removed and wrapped separately. Keep a kit list for each type of show, so the team can collect exactly what a new hang needs in one trip.
How do you protect art from Delhi's humidity?
Canvas, paper and wood respond to changes in moisture. Delhi NCR's monsoon brings high humidity, and the dry winter can draw moisture out. Keep works off the floor and away from the walls, use silica gel packs in boxes and folders and replace them before the monsoon. Don't wrap paintings tightly in plastic, which can trap moisture. Check the room regularly in the wet months. For more, read our guide on preserving artwork in storage.
How do you keep a record of every work?
A gallery's stock list is as important as the art itself. Give every work an inventory number and record the artist, title, medium, dimensions, condition, owner or consignor and location in the room. Photograph each work before it goes in, front and back, and note any existing damage. Update the list each time a work goes out to a show, a buyer or back to the artist. Keep the list on your own system with a backup, and share consignment details with artists in writing.
How secure is a storage room for artworks?
With a private, lockable room, you use your own padlock and keep the only key. The facility has 24/7 CCTV and regular pest control. Limit who in the gallery holds the key and log each visit. Confirm the facility's operating hours and access arrangements with the team before planning install or de-install days. Insurance can be facilitated through partners, so ask the team, and check what your gallery policy covers for works held off-site.
How much does gallery storage cost?
Pricing depends on the room size and location you choose. Plans are monthly with no lock-in, so you can take more space during a busy season and less afterwards. Business customers can get a GST invoice. Pickup, packing and transport can be arranged through partners at an additional cost. Use the storage calculator or call +91-9090206090 for a quote.
Where can galleries store artworks in Delhi NCR?
Self Storage India serves Noida, Delhi and Gurugram. Choose the location closest to your gallery or framing studio so works can come and go quickly between shows.
Gallery and framer storage checklist
- Make sure paintings are fully dry before wrapping
- Use glassine or acid-free tissue against the surface
- Store paintings upright, with board between works
- Keep works on paper flat in acid-free folders
- Crate or box sculpture with padding on all sides
- Label client frames with order numbers, not names
- Keep paints, varnishes, solvents and aerosols out
- Keep works off the floor and away from walls
- Photograph and list every work before storing it
- Update the stock list each time a work moves
- Confirm access arrangements with the team
Disclaimer: this article gives general guidance on storing artworks. For valuable or fragile works, follow the advice of a professional conservator, and confirm what you can store with the Self Storage India team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Upright on their edges, with board between works. Don't stack them flat.
Put glassine or acid-free tissue against the surface first, then bubble wrap over it.
Flat in acid-free folders or boxes, with tissue between each work.
No. Chemicals, flammables and aerosols are prohibited.
Yes. Business customers can get a GST invoice.
Self Storage India serves Noida, Delhi and Gurugram.
Sources and notes
Checked 1 Nov 2026.
- Unit features, plans, GST invoice and pickup: Self Storage India home page.
- Items allowed and prohibited: what can and cannot be stored.
