How To Pack Art So That It Isn't Damaged During A Move

When you are moving to a new place, you are likely excited and overwhelmed. You have so much to do and so many details to organize that it can seem like a task list that never ends. However, you are going to be distraught if you do not take the time that it requires to properly pack up your artwork so that it is not damaged in transit. You don't want to get to your final destination only to find that there is a hole punched through the canvas or that your prints are bent. Here are some steps that you can follow to pack your artwork.

1. Wrap the Artwork

The first step to protecting any glass, photographs, or canvases is to wrap them in a sturdy bubble wrap. You will want to choose bubble wrap that is approximately the same height and width as the painting. If you are wrapping a piece of framed art that has glass, you will first want to take blue painters tape and tape a large "X" in the middle of the glass. This will keep the glass from puncturing the artwork if the glass is accidentally broken. Then wrap the entire frame in bubble wrap.

If you are wrapping a piece of canvas that is not protected by glass, then you are first going to want to wrap the entire thing in tissue paper that does not contain any acid that could possibly damage the artwork. Then, you wrap it in bubble wrap.

If you have prints or loose artwork, you do not need to wrap them in bubble wrap.

2. Choose a Box

Once your canvas or framed artwork is wrapped, you want to measure the dimensions of the artwork and choose a box that is at least a few inches longer, wider, and taller than the artwork. This is so that you can add packing peanuts or other protective material later.

If you are transporting prints or posters, then you can simply choose a cylindrical poster box and gently roll them up so that they fit inside the box. Cover the box with its lid or take a piece of cardboard and tape it over both ends of the cylindrical box.

3. Finish

Finally, fill the box with packing peanuts, crunched up newspaper and other paper, or even shredded paper. All of this is designed to cushion the artwork while it is in transit. Tape up the box and you are ready to go.

For more information, talk to a company that specializes in moving and storage services, such as Walsh Moving & Storage.