How To Safely Pack Art Before Moving

Moving can be a mix of excitement and busyness, particularly when handling delicate and valuable items like art pieces. Whether you have a deep appreciation for art or are a dedicated collector, prioritizing the safety of your artwork during the moving process is paramount.  

Safeguarding your art through proper packing techniques can significantly reduce the risk of damage, including scratches, cracks, or breakage. While taking matters into your own hands is commendable, it’s worth considering the assistance of safe packaging services. These specialized services can provide expert guidance and reliable solutions to ensure your valuable art is handled and transported with the utmost care. 

This article will provide essential guidelines on safely packing your art before moving, ensuring its preservation and safe arrival at your new destination.

• Gather The Necessary Supplies

Before you begin packing your artwork, it’s important to gather all the supplies you’ll need. This will help you streamline the packing process and ensure everything is on hand. Here are some essential supplies you should acquire:

• Artwork-specific boxes: Invest in sturdy and appropriately sized boxes for artwork transportation. These boxes are often reinforced with double walls and adjustable inserts to provide extra protection and support. 
• Acid-free tissue paper: Use acid-free tissue paper to wrap each piece of art. This specialized paper helps prevent chemical reactions that can cause discoloration or damage to the artwork. 
• Bubble wrap: Wrap your artwork with bubble wrap to provide cushioning and protect it from impact during transit. Choose bubble wrap with small bubbles for better shock absorption. 
• Packing tape: Select high-quality packing tape that is durable and resistant to tearing. Avoid using regular household tape, as it may not provide sufficient adhesion. 
• Corner protectors: Utilize corner protectors to safeguard your artwork’s fragile edges and corners from accidental bumps or impacts. 
• Blankets or moving pads: Use blankets or moving pads to provide additional protection for larger artworks or framed pieces.

Remember to acquire these essential supplies before you start packing your artwork to ensure a smooth and organized packing process. Having these materials will go a long way in safeguarding your precious art during the move.

• Prepare The Artwork For Packing

Before you begin packing your artwork, preparing each piece properly is essential. This involves two crucial steps:

• Clean the artwork: To make sure that your artwork is clean and free from dust, use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the surface of the art. It’s best to avoid using any cleaning agents unless recommended by a professional conservator.
• Remove hanging hardware: Remove any hanging hardware, such as nails or hooks, from your artwork. This will help prevent damage to the art and the packing materials during transit.

These preparatory steps will set the foundation for safely and securely packing your precious artwork.

• Wrap And Cushion The Artwork

Wrapping and cushioning artwork is of utmost importance since it would protect the painting from scratches and abrasions, ensure shock absorption, minimize movement and shifting, protect fragile areas, and guard against environmental factors. 

To achieve this, below are simple steps that you can follow:

• Start with acid-free tissue paper: Lay a clean tissue paper on a flat surface and gently place your artwork on top. If you have multiple pieces, place each individually and avoid stacking them directly on each other.
• Wrap with bubble wrap: Wrap the artwork meticulously using bubble wrap, ensuring full coverage on all sides. Use packing tape to secure the bubble wrap, but be careful not to tape it directly onto the art surface.
• Add corner protectors: Attach corner protectors to the wrapped artwork to safeguard vulnerable areas. These protectors can be secured with tape or by slipping them under the bubble wrap.
• Place in the art box: As mentioned above, you’ll need an artwork-specific box that is neither too tight nor loose, leaving enough space for additional padding if required. Once the artwork is fully wrapped and protected, place it inside the appropriate-sized art box.
• Fill gaps with packing material: Use packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or foam inserts to fill any empty spaces within the box. This will prevent the artwork from shifting during transit and provide additional cushioning.

By following these steps ensure that your artwork is well-protected for a safe journey to your new location.

• Label And Seal The Boxes

Labeling and sealing are some crucial steps that shouldn’t be overlooked. These measures can help you easily identify your art boxes and ensure that they are handled with care throughout the moving process.  

To do so, label each art box with a description of its contents, such as ‘framed painting’ or ‘sculptures.’ It’s best to indicate the fragile nature of the contents and use arrows to determine the correct upright position of the box.

Once the boxes are correctly labeled, seal them with packing tape. Make sure that all openings are tightly secured. Reinforce the edges and seams to prevent accidental openings during transportation.

The recommended steps can protect your valuable artwork and increase the likelihood of its safe arrival, guaranteeing a smooth and successful transition to your next destination.

Conclusion

Moving your art collection can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with the proper techniques and materials, you can ensure the safety of your precious pieces. The guidelines above can help minimize the risk of damage during the moving process. Remember, taking these precautions will provide peace of mind and guarantee that your art arrives at its new destination in pristine condition.