Moving can be notoriously stressful, though there are many ways to make it smooth (and even fun). After all, it’s always exciting to start settling into a new home. That said, it can be devastating to have a precious piece of artwork or a family heirloom ruined during the process. If you don’t know how to pack pictures for moving, you should read up before moving day to avoid any disasters. With these tips, your photographs should arrive at your new home safely and soundly.
1. Get your supplies ready
If you want to learn how to pack pictures for moving, you’ll need to start with the right supplies. If you cut corners, you’re liable to end up with broken frames and ruined pictures.
Suggested supplies:
- Heavy-duty boxes sized slightly larger than your artwork
- Specialty picture and mirror moving boxes (optional)
- Packing paper
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
- Corner protectors (optional)
Most of these items are self-explanatory. We recommend using proper heavy-duty boxes instead of random cardboard boxes when transporting fragile and precious items. It’s easy for cheaper, flimsier cardboard boxes to collapse during the moving process, dumping your fragile items— a surefire way to damage them. Corner protectors are made from various materials, and the most inexpensive use cardboard and foam to add some cushion. They’re L-shaped pieces that slide over the corners of a picture frame so that if it gets bumped against something, the corner won’t chip off.
Finally, there are picture and mirror moving boxes explicitly designed to protect glass and frames. These are sold at hardware stores, online, and from self-service moving companies like U-Haul. These are often also used for flatscreen TVs.
2. Prepare your pictures for moving
If your picture has mounting wires or hanging brackets that can be removed easily, it’s best to take those off. If not, tape over them, so they don’t tear things or get hung up during the moving process. If your picture has a glass frame, mark an "X" across it with packing tape. In the event that it cracks or breaks, this will keep the glass from shattering outright and going everywhere. Wrap the picture in stretch wrap to protect it from getting scratched.
If your picture doesn’t have a glass frame, wrap it with many layers of pallet tape or plastic wrap. You want to minimize the chances of anything scratching the fragile surface of the artwork.
3. Wrap the picture for moving
If you have no idea how to pack pictures for moving, this step is similar to wrapping a gift. Spread out a sheet of packing paper so that it’s roughly twice the size of the picture frame. Gently place the picture face-down on the packing paper. Next, fold the packing paper around the edges so that it completely covers the back surface of the picture and overlaps the other side of the paper. Make sure you get a snug wrap, then tape it in place. Repeat the process with a sheet of bubble wrap.
We recommend avoiding newspapers for this step. Many people use newspapers as an inexpensive packing paper alternative, but the ink can transfer from the paper and leave smudges on your artwork.
If you’re packing a lot of smaller pictures together and you know you’re going to transport them in the same box, you should still wrap them individually. Don’t try to skip steps by wrapping them as a package if you want to avoid damage.
4. Apply corner protectors to your picture
If you’re using corner protectors, now’s the time to put them on. It’s easy! You just slide them right over the corners. Make sure they’re snug and secure.
5. Box your artwork for moving and label it
Place your pictures in your box on their sides, not lying flat. Pictures bear weight on their edge much better than when stored horizontally. If there’s an accident, it also decreases the likelihood of the glass breaking, which makes for a costlier repair. Pad the pictures with crumpled paper or something similar, so they don't shift in the box.
Seal the box. After doing so, make sure to label what’s inside and prominently write “FRAGILE” on all sides of it, or use “FRAGILE” stickers. It’s also a good idea to note where the picture is meant to go so that you can move it directly to its new location.
6. Position the picture on the moving truck
It goes without saying, but you can’t just stuff this fragile package anywhere on the truck. This box will not handle load-bearing, so don’t put anything on top of it, or it is likely to break. Again, make sure the packed picture is on its side, not lying flat. Don’t put the box high on top of other containers, where the picture might shatter if it falls from up high. If you can, place the box between heavier items (ones that won’t shift!) so that it won’t slide around the truck compartment.
We know; this can be a pain since you often end up wanting to stuff the truck as fully as you can, but this is another one of those situations where cutting corners can permanently ruin a cherished item, so take care! You can always transfer fragile items separately via car as you’re traveling back and forth!
Pictures make your new house feel like home!
Thankfully, how to pack pictures for moving all comes down to preparation. By approaching the move thoughtfully, packing everything carefully, and taking care to protect your belongings, you can usually avoid any of your pictures getting damaged. Then you get to hang them, which is one of the quickest ways to make your new home really feel like it’s yours. In fact, hanging your pictures early in the unpacking process is a great idea. It gets things off the floor and out the way, clearing out floor space, and it’s a great way to get excited about customizing your new space.