Gallery Guide: Best Practices for Sending Artwork on Approval

A RedDotBlog article outlines a seven-step framework for sending artwork on approval, a practice that allows collectors to view a piece in their home before purchasing. The author, drawing on gallery experience, emphasizes qualifying the prospect first, requiring a credit card number for most shipments, and authorizing a $1 charge via platforms like Shopify or Square to validate the card. For cautious artists, a refundable full charge is suggested. Shipping terms should be in writing, with the client typically paying outbound and return shipping; trackable, insured methods are mandatory. Insurance may not cover transit or the client's home, so professional packaging like double-boxing and photographing the artwork before shipment are advised. A typical approval window is 3–7 days, set upfront. After shipping, provide tracking and unpacking instructions, then check in one or two days after delivery. The process should feel easy for the buyer, but basic protections—written terms, valid payment info, insured shipping—must not be skipped. The takeaway: a concise system can raise close rates with serious collectors without undue risk.