Inspect a newly unpacked canvas in three separate layers—disposable packing, frame and stretcher, and printed surface—so a scuffed protector is not mistaken for damage to the artwork. A dented outer box, torn corner protector, or scuff on plastic wrap may justify careful examination but does not prove the artwork beneath is damaged. Conversely, a clean box does not guarantee the inner support or printed surface is sound. Record each layer separately before disposing of anything or attempting a repair.
Photograph the package before opening it fully
Take a photograph of all sides of the closed box, its labels, seals and any crushed areas. As padding is removed, photograph how the object was supported and whether a mark is on cardboard, foam, paper, film or the canvas itself. Keep a small set of clearly labeled pictures rather than mixing packaging details with artwork close-ups. These images are useful if the printer, carrier or purchaser later needs to reconstruct what was observed at delivery.
Open the package on a clean, level space with enough room to avoid dragging an edge across furniture. Follow any manufacturer unpacking instructions. Keep blades away from the printed face and do not pull adhesive tape across the canvas. When a layer appears stuck, stop rather than peeling by force. The goal is to expose the object without adding new pressure marks while trying to discover whether old marks are present.
A parcel arrives with one crushed cardboard corner and a pale streak visible through transparent protective film. Photograph the carton and film first, then view the actual canvas under even light once it is safely exposed. If the streak belongs to the film and the printed surface is clean, describe that difference clearly. If the nearby stretcher corner looks displaced, document it independently rather than linking both observations to one imagined impact. A good record maps the defect to its material layer and preserves the uncertainty about when or why it occurred.
Inspect support, surface and tension as separate components
With the canvas upright and safely supported, examine the visible front under even light and again from a slight angle. Note scuffs, smears, scratches, dents, unexpected bright patches, surface creases, and image distortions. Check whether a suspect mark appears in the actual print or only on a transparent protective sheet still nearby. Photograph the whole artwork, then each questionable area with a scale reference that does not touch the image. Avoid cleaning or pressing the surface merely to see whether a mark disappears.
Inspect accessible outer corners and edges for distorted stretcher geometry, separation, cracks, loose fittings or fabric displacement. Do not dismantle the object, pull at the backing, or press from behind to test tautness. Fabric tension is not reliably judged by a single tap or thumb pressure: apparent waves can have different causes, including storage conditions, construction and transit. Record visible rippling and consult the manufacturer or a qualified specialist rather than diagnosing it from one photograph.
Create a reproducible claim record
For each observation, record its exact location such as 'front lower-left 3 cm from edge', approximate dimensions, whether it is raised or depressed, and the lighting used to see it. Cross-reference the image of the outer package if a corresponding impact point exists, but do not assert causation without evidence. Take one full-frame photograph so the detail image can be located. Preserve the order confirmation, stated specifications and any approved print proof for comparison.
Contact the responsible supplier using its documented claims procedure and deadlines; do not assume a universal return period. Explain which symptoms affect the canvas and which only affect disposable wrapping. If the work has sentimental or significant financial value, request guidance before trying to flatten, re-stretch or remove a stain. A careful non-invasive inspection preserves both the object and the evidence needed for a fair decision.
A useful receiving record separates three questions: what happened to the package, what can actually be seen on the artwork, and what remains uncertain without specialist assessment. That distinction prevents harmless packaging wear from becoming an exaggerated defect claim while ensuring a genuine surface or support problem is not overlooked.