What to Do When Your Art Print Arrives Damaged
By EXPULSE SHOP | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: Tips & Care
A step-by-step guide to diagnosing and addressing damage to art prints during shipping, including how to assess, document, and seek resolution.
Quick answer
If your art print arrives damaged, stop handling it immediately. Document the damage with clear photos, check the packaging for external damage, and contact EXPULSE SHOP support within 48 hours with your order number and images. Do not attempt to repair a crease or tear yourself, as that can void any replacement options.
Assess the Damage Without Making It Worse
When you first see a damaged print, resist the urge to flatten it or push the crease out. Prints on light card stock or 100lb coated paper, like the Nana Bunana Girl Foil Print, can show creases that are impossible to reverse once the paper fibers are compressed. Instead, lay the print flat on a clean, hard surface and examine it under good light. Look for creases, tears, scuffs, or ink transfer. If the damage is minor, such as a bent corner, you may be able to press it under a heavy book for a few days. But if the crease crosses the main image or the foil layer is cracked, the print is likely beyond home repair.
Document Everything for a Claim
Take photos of the outer shipping box, the inner packaging, and the print itself from multiple angles. Include a close-up of the damage and a wide shot showing the print in its original packaging. This evidence helps EXPULSE SHOP support determine if the damage happened during shipping or was a manufacturing defect. For prints like the Gyakubunny (2020) Print, which ships in a standard 11 x 17 inch size, the packaging should be rigid and protective. If the box is crushed, the carrier likely caused the damage.
Contact Support With the Right Info
Email EXPULSE SHOP support within 48 hours of delivery. Include your order number, a description of the damage, and all the photos you took. Be clear about whether the print is still usable to you or if you need a full replacement. For example, if you ordered the Bunny Rio Print and the heavy letter satin paper has a visible crease, the texture of the paper makes it nearly impossible to hide. In that case, a replacement is the best outcome. Support will guide you through the next steps, which may include returning the damaged item or receiving a refund.
Diagnosis: Is Your Print Salvageable?
- Symptom: A visible crease across the image area or a tear in the paper. The print's visual integrity is compromised.
- Likely cause: The print was bent or crushed during shipping, often because the mailer was not rigid enough or was stacked under heavy packages. This is a shipping damage case, not a defect in the print itself.
- Corrective action: Do not try to flatten or repair the crease. Document the damage and contact EXPULSE SHOP support within 48 hours for a replacement or refund. Professional resolution is the safest path.
- Stop or choose another option: If the damage is a minor corner bend that does not affect the image, you may choose to keep the print and press it under a heavy book for a few days. For any crease or tear that affects the main artwork, stop and request a replacement. Minor corner bends are acceptable; major creases are not.
Products mentioned in this guide
- Nana Bunana Girl Foil Print: Paper: light card stock / 100lb coated paper. Foil: Holographic in place of black detailing. The coated paper is sturdy but can crease if bent. The holographic foil may crack if the print is folded, making damage more visible.
- Gyakubunny (2020) Print: Size: 11 x 17 inches. Paper: light card stock / 100lb coated paper. This standard size fits most flat mailers. If the mailer is too tight or too loose, the print can get damaged during transit.
- Bunny Rio Print: Paper: light card stock / 100lb coated paper / heavy letter satin. The heavy letter satin option has a different texture and may show creases more prominently than the coated paper. Choose the variant that best suits your display needs.
