If you caught our first post on how to pack artwork for moving, here is Part 2. More practical tips for getting your art through a move without damage.
Choose boxes that are actually built for packing art
Start with durable, high-quality boxes that are large enough to fully enclose each piece. For especially valuable fine art, wooden crates offer added stability. In most situations, though, heavy-duty cardboard moving boxes that are packed correctly will do the job.
What goes inside the box matters as much as the box itself
Picking the right box is only part of the equation. How you build and load it makes the real difference.
Before anything goes in, assemble and secure the box properly:
- For folding boxes, use sturdy packing tape to hold the seams together.
- If the contents will be heavy, reinforce the bottom with an extra layer of firm cardboard.
How you arrange items inside the box is also extremely important:
- Before anything else goes in, lay down a cushioning layer on the bottom. Bubble wrap or foam packing material works well, but towels or bedsheets can also do the job. Keep a cushion layer between the contents and every wall of the box as you pack.
- If you are fitting more than one piece in the same box, wrap each one individually. That adds a layer of protection against impact and keeps pieces from scratching each other in transit.
- Fill every empty space inside the box with soft material so nothing shifts during the move. Crumpled paper works fine for this.
- Once everything is packed, add another layer of bubble wrap or similar material on top before closing the lid and sealing it with packing tape.
A specific note for flat items like mirrors and framed pictures:
- Put an “X” of masking tape across the glass pane of every glass-framed piece before boxing it.
- When more than one frame or mirror goes in the same box, stand them upright rather than laying them flat on the box bottom.
Labeling the outside of the boxes
- Mark each box clearly as “fragile” and/or “handle with care.”
- Draw upward arrows to indicate which side is the top.
Loading art inside the truck
Have a loading plan before anything goes on the truck. Heavier boxes belong on the floor so they cannot crush lighter ones beneath them. Lighter boxes should be wedged between heavier, more solid items so they cannot shift during the drive.
Cargo straps or belts can also be used to secure boxes to the interior walls of the truck, which keeps them from tipping or sliding during transport.
Insurance for high-value artwork
If you own a particularly valuable piece, it is worth looking into art insurance before moving day. Florida’s default carrier liability is 60 cents per pound, which covers very little on a high-value item. Knowing what protection you actually have ahead of time is better than finding out after something goes wrong.
We can pack it and move it
Brothers Easy Moving of Tampa handles more than just the transport. We can pack your belongings, and we carry the packing supplies to do it right, including picture and mirror boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and more.
If you have questions or want a free cost estimate for your move: Contact us.
For further reading:
https://fineartshippers.com/pro-tips-on-packaging-art-for-shipping/
https://www.thespruce.com/moving-and-packing-artwork-2436483
