How to Pack Fine Art for Moving?

Moving can be viewed as a learning process, as you will become a professional in packing various items. Packing china, glassware, fine art, furniture, all require learning the right techniques. Once you know the right techniques, packing becomes easy. Today we will focus on packing fine art for moving. If you have several high-value pieces of fine art, you may want to hire professional movers, as sometimes it is better not to take risks. But, the majority of fine art items can be packed quite easily, you just need the right packing equipment and patience.

Get all the supplies that you will need in order to pack fine art properly

Packing can only be done right if you have the right packing equipment and moving supplies. Now is not the time to save money on the proper material. You need to get everything that you need before you get on to work. Here is what you will need in order to successfully pack your belongings:

• • Artist`s tape – This is a fine tape that you can apply directly to paintings, sculptures, etc.
• • Regular tape – You will also need regular tape for taping the moving boxes.
• • Carboard pieces – Again, for paintings you will need cardboard pieces in the size of the tape so that you can protect your items even better.
• • Bubble wrap – Plenty of bubble wrap will secure that your fine art does not get damaged during the relocation.
• • Cardboard protectors – Wherever possible, you will apply the cardboard protectors to avoid damage, scratches, and dents.
• • Permanent markers – Labeling your moving boxes that contain fine art is an absolute must.
• • Moving blankets – If your items cannot fit the moving box due to the shape or size, a moving blanket can help you protect it.

Begin with the preparations for packing fine art for moving

Now that you have everything that you need, you can begin with the packing preparations. Gather all the pieces of fine art that you will relocate. You can either start with packing smaller or larger items. We suggest that you divide them into categories, such as paintings, sculptures, figurines, and then pack them by the category.

Roll your items in protective materials

The first step for packing fine art is to use the artist`s tape on paintings. Cover the entire surface of the paintings, and tape it with regular tape at the ends. Remember that you should never use newspaper on delicate surfaces. It can leave ink stains that would damage the items. You can also apply this tape on every piece of fine art, as it will never damage it. For paintings that have a glass covering, you need to place an X sign with a regular tape. This will prevent the glass from shattering during the transport.

Use cardboard pieces next

Then cover the flat surfaces with cardboard pieces and tape them to the surface. This is yet another layer of protection that you will be grateful for once you unpack your fine art and it is not damaged.

After the cardboard pieces, you can move on to bubble wrap. Wrap the entire item in the bubble wrap twice. Make sure that absolutely every inch of the item is covered in bubble wrap. Bubble wrap is the best way to protect fragile and delicate items during the relocation.

How to pack sculptures for moving properly?

When it comes to packing sculptures for relocation, the process is pretty much the same. However, you should wrap them with bubble wrap in the following way. First wrap the bottom part of the sculpture, then the upper part, and finally, wrap the middle part of the item with bubble wrap. The moving box you use for packing sculptures should be slightly larger than the object itself, so it does not get damaged. If the sculpture is too large, do not use moving boxes at all. You can cover the item in bubble wrap, and then the moving blanket. Tape the moving blanket to ensure it will not move during transport.

How to pack figurines properly?

Figurines, especially the ones that are a part of your favorite collection, are usually the easiest ones to pack. If they are small, you can place several of them in one moving box. The principle is the same as with paintings and sculptures. The more layers of protection you cover them with, the better. Use bubble wrap, packing paper, and tape to secure them.

Pack your fine art inside the moving boxes

When it comes to moving boxes, if you are relocating paintings, place them carefully inside. For sculptures and figurines, you need to fill the bottom of the box with packing peanuts or crushed newspaper. Only then should you place the item(s) inside. After the items are inside the moving box, you should then add more packing peanuts or old newspaper on the top of the box. Then, you should close the box and tape it. Rattle the moving box to see whether the items are safe inside. If you don`t hear any clinging noise, you are good to go. On the other hand, if you do hear a clinging noise, you should place more packing peanuts to protect the items from damage.

Label the moving boxes

When you are packing fine art for moving, it is essential to label the boxes immediately after. Place the sign that says which side should go up and which side should go down. Write Fragile on the moving box on at least three sides of the box. You can also write the content of the box, and in which room should the box go. However, fragile is the most important word here.

We have seen that packing fine art for moving is not that hard, as long as you are patient and careful. Good luck!