The item will be wrapped in cushioning material and then shipped in a simple shipping vinyl bag. This was made about 4 years ago. My memory is uncertain, but basically, I painted the entire thing with a brush using Mr. Color paints. Due to my skill level, brush strokes are clearly visible. Also, I've added some plastic plates for detailing. I also engraved some panel lines, but the engraving is shallow, and the ink doesn't fill them in very well. Please understand that this is a work from a time when my skills were not up to par before purchasing.