Moving can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. One of the most intimidating tasks can be figuring out how to pack pictures for moving so they don’t get damaged during transport. Fear not! We have some tips on how to properly pack these delicate items.
How to Pack Pictures for Moving
When packing pictures and mirrors, you’ll need to take a little extra care. Here are a few things to think about when packing these fragile items:
- Gather packing supplies
- Will you need specialty moving boxes?
- Wrap pictures, including corner protectors
- Pack mirrors and pictures in boxes
- Add Packing Peanuts or Bubble Wrap
- Safely pack boxes on the truck
Gather Packing Supplies
Packing large pictures and mirrors isn’t as straightforward as packing other items. After all, these are among some of the most fragile items you can move! To ensure that your precious artwork makes it safely to its new home, the right packing supplies and materials are essential.
Moving supplies include packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and sheets of stacking paper are all ideal for packing pictures, although towels can also be used to give your pictures proper protection. However, if your pictures aren’t behind glass, look for acid-free paper to wrap the images to protect your artwork.
Will You Need Specialty Boxes?
You’ll also need sturdy packing boxes. Smaller prints can be packed together in normal boxes, but for larger pictures and mirrors, there are specially-made boxes. Make sure to get picture/mirror boxes that are slightly larger than the frame so there’s room to protect the corners and other padding.
For really big prints, they may need to be packed individually in the truck (or other vehicles), so you’ll want to make sure the corners are specially protected. Have plenty of packing tape available for the wrap and close the boxes.
Wrap Pictures, Including Corner Protectors
Start by wrapping these fragile items with a thick layer of bubble wrap, or sheets of packing paper. Again, towels also provide acceptable protection for these items, but are a little harder to get a nice tight fit. Tape will help keep everything in place. If your pictures are laying flat, packing peanuts will work well, too.
If you’re standing your pictures on end, make sure to really cushion the corners. If they aren’t cushioned, all it takes is a little bump in the road to break the glass. One thing you don’t want is to arrive at your new home and find a bunch of shattered glass all over the place! Place a piece of cardboard between each picture to act as a buffer.
Pack Mirrors and Pictures in Boxes
When packing pictures for moving, pack your picture frames and mirrors in boxes. Use a sturdy box that is slightly larger than the item you are packing. It is important to pack these items with extra cushioning materials such as bubble wrap or old towels to ensure they don’t get damaged along the way. Make sure all edges of the frame are secured with bubble wrap and it is advised that you write ‘Fragile’ on each box.
If you are laying smaller pictures flat, add padding on the bottom of the box, then bubble wrap or towels in-between pictures. Larger frames go in first. Don’t overload boxes, either–you don’t want to put too much weight on the glass frames at the bottom of the box and too much glass can get kind of heavy.
When standing your images on end in a box, you’ll still want to add cushioning on the bottom and some kind of separator between the frames. You’ll still want to order the images from largest to smallest for organizational sake. Make sure to label the boxes so you know how to handle them properly.
Add Packing Peanuts or Bubble Wrap
When securing your picture for moving: Before placing it in the box, wrap it with packing paper or bubble wrap. Then, cushion the bottom of the box with crumpled paper or peanuts. Gently slide the picture in and fill any empty spaces to prevent it from moving. This will minimize bumps and shocks during transport.
Safely Pack Boxes On the Truck
If there’s room leftover in the box, throw in a towel or two to hold the frames in place and keep them from tipping to and fro during the drive. Make sure the box is placed between larger boxes so they don’t tip over during sharp turns. You also don’t want the box itself to be sliding all over the place either.
It goes without saying, but don’t place these boxes in precarious situations when loading the moving truck. They may seem safe on the couch, but those cushions can bounce up and down when going over bumps, which jostle the pictures more than you’d like.
With these tips in mind, packing your pictures and mirrors for moving should be a breeze. Packing pictures and mirrors properly requires taking extra precautions but will help ensure that your beloved memories remain undamaged throughout their journey from one home to another. Taking some time upfront to plan ahead on how best to protect them along the way will pay off—and save you from having any unpleasant surprises later on down the line!
How to Pack Pictures for Moving With Expert Help
Moving can be equal parts exciting and stressful. Why not call in professionals to help with the heavy lifting? Smooth Move People have been moving people all over Portland, to Washington, and across the country for decades now. And we can move you–and your pictures–to wherever you’re going.
We’ll pack up your home, load it onto the truck, and unload it at the final destination. We can handle the stuff big and small, sturdy and delicate. And nobody will move you for less than we do. Schedule your move with us and we’ll take care of the rest!
