How to Pack Artwork for Moving: A Comprehensive Guide

Packing artwork for moving isn’t just about wrapping items in bubble wrap and calling it a day. Your art pieces, whether a cherished family portrait or a valuable painting, need special care during a move. Proper packing can mean the difference between preserving a masterpiece and facing heartbreaking damage.

Without the right preparation, your beloved artwork could be exposed to scratches, cracks, or worse. This guide will walk you through the essential steps, from gathering the right materials to expert tips on packing. You’ll also learn when to trust art movers or a professional moving company to handle these delicate tasks.

Gather Essential Packing Materials

To pack artwork for moving safely, start by collecting the right packing materials. These supplies will protect your artwork from damage during transit:

• Bubble Wrap: Wraps around the artwork to cushion it against shocks, bumps, and vibrations, providing essential protection for delicate items.
• Packing Paper or Glassine: These materials act as a barrier against scratches, dirt, and moisture. Glassine, being acid-free, is especially useful for protecting sensitive surfaces like canvases and photographs.
• Painter’s Tape: Use this tape to secure wrapping materials in place. 
• Corner Protectors: Essential for framed pieces, these protectors shield the vulnerable edges from knocks and bumps, ensuring they stay intact.
• Sturdy Boxes or Crates: These provide a strong exterior to prevent crushing or bending, which is especially important for heavy or large pieces.
• Padding Materials: This added cushioning keeps your artwork from shifting during the move, minimizing the risk of damage.

Steps to Safely Pack Paintings

When packing artwork for moving, the approach varies depending on whether the artwork is framed or unframed. Framed pieces, especially those covered with glass, require special attention to avoid breakage. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pack paintings for moving, ensuring your valuable art arrives intact.

1. Prepare the Glass Frame: Start by placing a large “X” across the glass with blue painter’s tape. This “X” will help absorb shock and prevent the glass from shattering during transport.
2. Protect the Artwork Surface: Cover your framed painting with glassine paper, a type of acid-free, water-, air-, and grease-resistant paper. If you don’t have glassine, use acid-free paper, especially for canvas or oil paintings. Avoid using wax paper, parchment, or newspapers to wrap paintings for moving, as they could harm the artwork.
3. Wrap with Plastic and Bubble Wrap:  Knowing how to wrap art for moving involves multiple layers to ensure comprehensive protection. First, wrap the entire framed artwork with plastic wrap, which helps secure the protective paper layer. Then, cover the wrapped painting with bubble wrap, ensuring a thick, cushioned layer around the artwork. Secure the bubble wrap with packing tape to keep everything in place. 
4. Prepare the Packing Box: Start by placing a thick layer of packing paper or foam at the bottom of a strong box. This creates a cushioned base that adds extra protection for your artwork during the move.
5. Place the Artwork in the Box: Carefully place the wrapped artwork into the box, ensuring it sits in the center without touching the sides. Fill any gaps around the frame with more packing paper or foam padding. This step prevents the painting from shifting during the move, reducing the risk of damage.
6. Seal and Secure the Box: Close the box and gently shake it to check if anything moves. If the artwork shifts, add more packing material until it’s firmly in place. Once you’re confident the painting is secure, seal the box with heavy-duty packing tape.
7. Label the Box as “Fragile”: Clearly mark the box as “Fragile” on all sides. This helps the movers know to handle it with care, ensuring that your art receives the delicate treatment it deserves.

For unframed paintings, place the artwork between two pieces of sturdy cardboard to prevent bending. Wrap the corners in bubble wrap or use cardboard corner protectors to safeguard them. Knowing how to pack paintings for moving can help keep your art protected from start to finish.

Packing Sculptures and Other 3D Artwork

Packing sculptures and other three-dimensional artwork demands a specialized approach due to their diverse shapes and fragile points. Here’s a guide to packing sculptures and 3D art for your next move:

1. Wrap with Plastic Wrap: Start by covering the entire sculpture with plastic wrap. Tuck the plastic tightly into every nook and cranny, paying extra attention to protruding parts like arms, legs, or other delicate features. Adding extra layers of plastic wrap around these weak points will provide essential protection.
2. Layer with Bubble Wrap: After the initial plastic wrap, add a generous layer of bubble wrap around the sculpture. This creates a cushion that absorbs shocks during transport. Focus on wrapping the weak points again to reinforce them further. 
3. Choose the Right Box or Crate: Select a box or crate that is slightly larger than the sculpture. For large or particularly heavy sculptures, opt for a wooden crate. These crates offer superior protection and prevent heavy pieces from crushing or shifting during transit. Smaller sculptures can be placed in sturdy cardboard boxes with enough packing paper or foam to fill gaps and prevent movement.
4. Secure and Seal the Box: Fill the bottom of the box or crate with packing paper or foam peanuts to create a cushioned base. Gently place the sculpture inside, ensuring it doesn’t touch the sides. Fill any remaining space around the sculpture with more packing materials to immobilize it. Once packed, seal the box securely with packing tape.
5. Label as “Fragile”: Clearly label each box containing sculptures as “Fragile” to signal the need for careful handling. This step is crucial, as it helps ensure your artwork receives the proper attention it requires.
6. Avoid Stacking on Fragile Items: Avoid placing other heavy boxes on top of those containing sculptures. The weight can cause crushing or damage to the delicate parts of the sculpture, even if packed well.

Tips for Moving Artwork in Extreme Weather

When packing artwork for moving in bad weather, you need to take extra precautions to protect it from moisture and temperature changes. Beyond the usual packing steps, it’s crucial to wrap your artwork in waterproof plastic and seal it completely from all sides. Even a small gap could expose your valuable pieces to water damage, potentially ruining their surfaces and frames.

To safeguard your artwork, consider building or ordering custom crates for your most valuable items. These crates provide a strong barrier against the elements and additional cushioning against shocks during transport. Don’t cut corners with packing materials either—invest in high-quality options that can withstand both impact and moisture. 

For bulkier pieces, covering them in heavy waterproof canvas, towels, or specialized moving blankets can offer an extra layer of protection. Smaller works can benefit from being stored in waterproof containers that are tightly sealed to keep moisture out.

Hire Professional Art Movers

Knowing when to hire art movers can make all the difference in ensuring your artwork reaches its new home safely. If you need to pack artwork for moving that is particularly valuable, fragile, or cumbersome, professional help is a smart choice. While DIY methods can work for simpler pieces, the risk of damage increases with more complex or high-value items.

Using a professional moving company offers several advantages: 

• Expert movers have the right tools, materials, and experience to handle delicate pieces with care. 
• Professional movers understand the nuances of different types of artwork and use specialized packing techniques to prevent damage.

If you’re planning a move and have valuable pieces to transport, consider reaching out to us at Daymakers Moving & Storage. As a trusted moving company, we specialize in handling all types of artwork with the utmost care. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help with your next move.