How To Pack and Transport Artwork for Moving

If you're an art enthusiast and moving day is here, you'll need to give special attention to your beloved artworks. Getting your valuable pieces to your new home without any damage is just as important as moving your other furniture. You can safely pack your paintings, prints, statues, and mirrors in mirror boxes or artwork boxes. For bigger and heavier items, you might need wooden crates. Smaller items can go in China cartons, which have double layers of cardboard for extra protection.

Basically, there are two key steps to packing artwork: protecting the piece itself and padding the box you'll put it in. Check out our moving tips on how to move art!

Gather the Right Supplies

To safely move your artwork, mirrors, and pictures, you'll need the right supplies. Here's a handy list to get you started:

Essential Packing Materials:

• Bubble wrap
• Packing tape
• Cardboard boxes
• Packing paper (like brown or craft paper)
• Plastic wrap or cling wrap
• Masking tape
• Extra padding (wadded newsprint, Styrofoam peanuts, etc.)

Choose boxes that are just slightly larger than your artwork to allow for additional padding and protection of paintings when moving. If you need a lot of boxes, there are plenty of ways to score some for free.

Specialty Packing Items:

• Mirror boxes: These are more effective than flat picture boxes for transporting mirrors. Mirror boxes come in four adjustable sections that fit around a mirror, made from thick, heavy-duty cardboard that can support up to 65 pounds.
• Flat moving boxes for pictures and artwork: In addition to flat picture boxes, use cardboard corner protectors to safeguard frame corners. For especially large or oddly shaped pieces, such as sculptures, consider using a wooden crate for added protection.

How To Pack Artwork For Moving

Framed Art

When packing framed artwork with glass, protecting the glass is crucial. Follow these steps to ensure your framed art arrives safely:

1. Tape the Glass: Create a large "X" with blue painter's tape on the glass. Extend the tape from corner to corner without touching the frame. This "X" helps prevent the glass from shattering during the move, thus protecting the artwork.
2. Cover with Glassine Paper: Use glassine paper, which repels water, air, and grease, to cover the art and part of the frame. If you're dealing with canvas art or paintings, opt for acid-free paper instead. Avoid using wax paper, parchment paper, or newspaper as they can damage the artwork.
3. Wrap with Plastic and Bubble Wrap: First, wrap the framed artwork in plastic wrap, then cover it with bubble wrap. Secure the bubble wrap with packing tape.
4. Prepare the Box: Line the bottom of your artwork box with several inches of packing paper. Place the wrapped frame into the box gently and fill any remaining space with more packing paper. Add a layer of packing paper on top of the frame before sealing the box.
5. Shake Test: After sealing, give the box a gentle shake. If the frame shifts, reopen the box and add more packing paper until the frame is secure.
6. Label as Fragile: Mark the box as "Fragile" on all sides with a sticker or marker to ensure careful handling.

For unframed artwork, you can follow similar steps. Place the unframed art between sturdy pieces of cardboard to prevent bending and wrap the corners with bubble wrap or use cardboard corner protectors for extra safety.

Alternatively, consider using bubble pouches for packing framed artwork. Though more expensive than boxes, bubble pouches are heavy-duty, lightweight, and reusable, making them an excellent option for transporting delicate pieces.

Pro Tip: If possible, give each piece its own box. While smaller, similarly-sized photo frames might be okay packed together if well protected, it's generally not a good idea to pack framed art pieces together. Different sizes and fragile components make them prone to damaging each other during transit. In a moving truck, even one bump can cause significant damage to wall art and framed artwork.

For long-term storage of paintings and artwork, prioritize breathable materials like tissue paper, blankets, and wooden crates. While bubble wrap, foam, or plastic are suitable for transport, they can trap moisture and lead to condensation, potentially damaging the artwork over time. Ensure that the materials you use allow for proper air circulation while still providing adequate protection. If possible, opt for a climate-controlled storage space to safeguard your artwork from unfavorable environmental conditions. Avoid storing art in areas prone to temperature fluctuations, such as basements or attics, when storing it at home for an extended period.

How to transport posters and pictures

Packing large pictures for a move follows a process similar to moving wall art and flat art pieces, but with an additional step to safeguard your cherished family photo.

First, apply masking tape in an "X" shape across the glass to prevent shattering. Then, cut a piece of cardboard to fit over the taped glass for extra protection.

For easier transport, you can also roll up pictures and prints and place them in a packing tube.

Sculptures

Protection Sculptures, regardless of size, often have fragile parts that can easily be damaged. For instance, a swan sculpture's neck and head are prone to snapping. To protect your sculpture:

1. Wrap with Cling Film: Cover the sculpture in cling wrap to shield the finish. Use smaller pieces to get into all the nooks and crannies, providing additional support.
2. Bubble Wrap Vulnerable Areas: Roll up strips of bubble wrap and wrap them around the sculpture's fragile parts.
3. Wrap Entire Sculpture: Once the vulnerable areas are secured, wrap the entire sculpture in bubble wrap until it forms a sphere or egg shape.
4. Box and Pad: Place the wrapped sculpture in a box and brace it with padding. Test the box to ensure the sculpture doesn't shift.

Larger Sculptures For sculptures that are several feet tall and heavy, the approach varies:

1. Determine Weight: Estimate the sculpture's weight to decide if you need a wooden crate or if a sturdy cardboard box will suffice. Most single-walled boxes can hold up to 40 pounds.
2. Check Material: Many modern sculptures are made from hollow plaster molds, making them lighter. If the weight is manageable, use a strong cardboard box with ample padding.
3. Use Wooden Crates: For heavier sculptures, wooden crates are the best option. They offer superior protection and are easily distinguishable from cardboard boxes, reducing the risk of mishandling. Wooden crates can be purchased online or from shipping suppliers and provide a sturdy, noticeable solution for moving valuable items.

It's crucial to consider that even the most reputable movers may have restrictions on certain items they won't allow on their trucks. While some items like loaded firearms and propane tanks are undoubtedly prohibited, there may be other surprising restrictions to be aware of. Read more: What Movers Won’t Pack: Your Moving Checklist.

Loading & Unloading of Your Artworks

When it's time to load your artwork into the moving truck, how you position them is crucial for their safety:

1. Avoid laying large picture frame boxes flat; instead, stand them on their sides to minimize the risk of breakage.
2. Position fragile boxes between heavier ones to prevent them from shifting and hitting other objects during transit.
3. Ensure all cardboard boxes are securely taped shut to prevent artwork from falling out during the move.
4. Never stack fragile boxes or place other boxes on top of those containing artwork.
5. If you have valuable artwork, consider transporting it in your own vehicle for greater control over its handling.
6. For a large and expensive collection of fine art, it's wise to enlist the expertise of an art handler or specialty moving company. These professionals are trained to handle artwork safely, providing peace of mind during your move.
7. When it comes to moving precious family photos, it's often best to handle them yourself. Unlike other items, if a moving company damages a photo, they typically only compensate based on its market value, which will not reflect its sentimental worth. By transporting family photos personally, you can ensure they receive the utmost care and attention, safeguarding their irreplaceable value.

Pro Tip: If your artwork holds significant value, consider inquiring about additional insurance coverage from your moving company. Ensure that the insurance is based on the value of the artwork rather than the standard weight-based coverage. Packing artwork requires precision and attention to detail. If you treasure your art collection and feel unsure about handling it yourself, entrust the task to professional movers with expertise in handling delicate artwork.

If handling delicate items like artwork or precious family photos makes you uneasy, hiring a professional moving company might be the way to go. Some moving companies specialize in transporting artwork, ensuring it's carefully wrapped, packed, and transported under optimal conditions.

Whether you need full packing services or local movers in Chicago, Move4U is ready to assist you. Our experienced movers are trained to handle home relocations efficiently and safely, including the delicate task of moving artwork. Contact Move4U today for a stress-free moving experience!