Is the paint fully dry?
The paint must be completely dry before a painting is rolled or shipped. The aim is to avoid smudging or damage, so a surface that still feels soft or tacky should not be rolled. Before you buy a fresh piece, ask the painter how long it has been drying. If the answer is unclear, plan to carry the painting flat instead of rolled.
Which side should face out?
Roll the painting with the painted side facing outward. Rolling with the paint on the inside compresses the paint layers, and that can crack or flake the surface. With the paint on the outside, the painted surface is not squeezed as the roll tightens.
Which separator should you use?
Use acid-free glassine paper as the separator. Cover the painted side with it before the painting is rolled.
How tight should the roll be?
Do not roll the painting tightly. A roll that is too small forces the painting into a tight curve, and that risks cracks in the paint. Excessive tension can leave permanent creases in the canvas or paper. Keep the roll loose and even, and stop before the painting feels stretched.
What should you check before rolling?
Work through four checks in order. First, confirm the paint is dry all the way through. Second, make sure the surface is clean and free of loose flakes. Third, lay the separator over the painted side before you start. Fourth, roll slowly and keep the roll loose. If any check is uncertain, carry the piece flat instead.
When is a flat or framed piece the better choice?
Rolling suits some pieces and not others, so treat it as a decision to make with the seller or artist rather than a default. A painting that is still wet, or one you cannot roll without tension, should travel flat. A framed piece is a separate question, because a frame is rigid and cannot be rolled at all, so it has to be carried flat or in a protective case.
What should you ask the seller before you pay?
Ask a short set of questions, because the answers decide how the piece should travel. Is the paint fully dry? Is it on canvas, paper or another support? Can it be rolled, or should it travel flat? Will the seller or artist write down the materials used? Get the answers before the painting is wrapped, not after you have left the stall.
For a wider look at the three painting styles, the guide to how Kamasan, Ubud and Batuan painting differ shows what to look at first. If you are also choosing a craft piece, the craft villages guide explains where makers work and what to ask them. For silver, the silver jewellery guide covers the metal stamp and the workmanship questions to put to a maker. Settle the carrying method while you are still with the piece, so the choice is made before the wrapping starts.