Moving house is an adventure, a fresh start filled with excitement and possibilities. But amidst this whirlwind of change, there’s the delicate task of safely moving all your prized possessions. If you love decorating your home with artwork, be it a favourite antique mirror, an oil painting, a cherished sculpture or a collection of personal photographs, each piece needs to be carefully wrapped and packaged to ensure it reaches your new home safely.
Whether you’re taking care of the move yourself, or using a removal firm, extra attention needs to be paid to packing artwork so the whole relocation process to your new place goes smoothly from start to finish. In this post we’re exploring the delicate issues involved with packing artwork, the materials you need and the techniques you can use to pack artwork like a pro.
Issues Affecting Artwork When Moving
Artwork often requires special packing when moving house due to several key reasons:
- Fragility: Many pieces of art, especially paintings, sculptures, and framed works, are inherently fragile. They can be easily damaged by impacts, pressure, or rough handling. Special packing ensures that they are adequately protected against bumps and jostles that commonly occur during a move.
- Value: Artwork can be of significant monetary value, but perhaps more importantly, it often holds immense sentimental value. Damaging a piece of art during a move can mean not just financial loss, but also the loss of irreplaceable personal or emotional value.
- Vulnerability to Environmental Factors: Art can be sensitive to environmental changes, including temperature, humidity, and light exposure. Special packing materials and techniques can help to mitigate these risks, particularly for long-distance moves or when storing art in transit.
- Variability in Materials and Shapes: Art comes in a vast array of sizes, shapes, and materials. Each piece might require a different packing strategy. For instance, a canvas painting might need different protection compared to a glass sculpture or a metal installation.
- Prevention of Surface Damage: The surfaces of paintings and photographs can be easily scratched or smudged. Special packing materials like glassine paper can protect these surfaces from direct contact with harmful substances or textures.
- Risk of Warping or Deformation: Artworks, particularly canvases or paper-based art, can warp or deform under pressure or when exposed to varying climates. Proper packing ensures that the artwork remains in its intended shape and condition.
- Insurance Requirements: If you’re using professional movers, especially for high-value art, they might require that items are packed to a certain standard to maintain insurance coverage during the move.
- Complex Installation Pieces: Some artworks are not just single pieces but installations composed of multiple parts. These require careful disassembly, packing, and labeling to ensure they can be correctly reassembled at the new location.
What You Need To Pack Artwork
When packing artwork for moving, having the right packing supplies on hand is crucial to ensure the safety and protection of your pieces. Here’s an insight into the best packaging supplies to consider.
Bubble Wrap: Bubble wrap is excellent for providing cushioning and shock absorption. It’s ideal for wrapping around framed pieces, mirrors, wall art and sculptures. Look for a big roll of bubble wrap that will cover all your needs.
Glassine Paper: Glassine paper is a smooth, air- and water-resistant paper that’s perfect for wrapping paintings and photographs to protect against smudging and moisture.
Packing Paper or Acid-Free Tissue Paper: Acid-free tissue paper is useful for wrapping and padding artwork, especially items sensitive to acid that can cause deterioration over time.
Sturdy Cardboard Boxes: Choose strong boxes that are slightly larger than the artwork to accommodate padding. Specialty art boxes can be used for extra protection.
Corrugated Cardboard Sheets: Stock up on corrugated cardboard sheets. They provide additional support and protection and are especially useful for wrapping around delicate pieces and separating artwork within a box.
Foam Board or Foam Sheets: Foam board or foam sheets are useful to have on hand too. They are ideal for providing rigid support and protecting the face of the artwork, especially for framed pieces or canvases.
Corner Protectors: Make sure you have a stock of corner protectors, as they are essential for protecting the corners of framed works.
Painter’s Tape or Artist Tape: Painter’s tape or masking tape tends to be less adhesive than regular tape, so it’s great for securing bubble wrap or paper without leaving residue on the artwork.
Stretch Wrap: Stretch wrap is another useful packaging supply to have, as it helps to keep everything tightly packed and moisture-resistant. It can be especially useful for packing sculptures or oddly shaped items ready to put in your moving truck.
Custom Crates: For extremely valuable or large pieces, custom wooden crates offer the highest level of protection and are better than a cardboard box. Ask your moving company if they have a wooden crate or two available for you to use for valuable pieces of artwork.
Labels and Markers: Don’t forget to stock up on sticky labels and marker pens. Use them to clearly label each box as “Fragile – Artwork” and indicate which side is up to ensure careful handling.
Padding Materials: Extra padding like foam peanuts or crumpled packing paper can fill empty spaces in boxes to prevent movement during the moving process.
Sealing Tape: You’ll need high-quality packing tape to securely seal and reinforce the boxes.
Blankets or Moving Pads: Useful for wrapping large sculptures or framed artwork for an added layer of protection.
Straps or Bungee Cords: If you’re using a professional removable company, they should provide straps or bungee cords for use in the van. They’re can help secure large pieces during transportation.
Remember, the choice of materials may vary depending on the type of artwork you’re packing (e.g., framed vs. unframed, canvas vs. sculpture) and its size, shape, and fragility. It’s always a good idea to tailor your packing approach and pick the right packing materials for each specific piece of art.
15 Essential Tips to Pack Artwork Like a Pro
If you’re an art lover, your art work is a precious cargo. Here are 15 fool-proof tips to ensure your loved, cherished and valuable items arrive at your new home as intact and beautiful as it is in your current one.
1. Assess And Create An Inventory
Start by taking an inventory of your artwork. This can include wall art canvases, an art collection, mirrors, large paintings, valuable paintings and sculptures. Note down the details of each piece, especially their size, medium, and condition. This will not only help you organize all your pieces, but also keep track of everything during and after the move.
2. Gather Supplies
Gather together the essential supplies you need for packing your artwork, including boxes, scissors, wrap and packing tape. Investing in the right materials and right supplies is the first step to safeguard your treasures.
3. Measure and Custom-Fit Boxes
For each piece of art, measure and find a box that fits snugly. If the box is too big, the artwork may shift; if it’s too small, it risks being damaged. So it’s essential to take the utmost care to find the correct box for each piece to reduce the risk of damage.
4. Padding is Key
Fragile items are less likely to get damaged if they are well-padded. So take great care to wrap each piece in a thick layer of bubble wrap, then surround it with packing paper or brown paper. For an extra layer of padding on delicate items, you could wrap a layer of corrugated card over the bubble wrap. The ultimate goal when packing fine art is to cushion the artwork as much as possible from all sides.
5. Secure with Tape
Once wrapped, secure the bubble wrap and corrugated card with packing tape. Ensure it’s tight, but not too constricting that it damages the artwork.
6. Protect the Corners
Don’t forget to add cardboard corners or corner protectors where needed, especially for framed pieces, picture frames and glass frames. They are simple to use and can prevent unwanted dents and scratches.
7. Line the Box
Before placing your artwork inside the speciality boxes, the best way to protect art pieces is to line the bottom of the box with extra packing paper for added cushioning.
8. Slide, Don’t Drop
Take care with how you place the wrapped artwork into each moving box. Gently slide the artwork into the box. Avoid dropping it in, as this can cause unexpected damage.
9. Fill the Gaps
Once each piece of art is in the speciality boxes, the fit should be snug. If there are any gaps in the box, take extra care to fill them with crumpled packing paper. This prevents any movement during transit and helps take special care of the important artworks.
10. Seal and Label
Once the artwork is securely packed, seal the box with tape. Clearly label each box as ‘Fragile – Artwork’ to ensure careful handling.
11. Avoid Stacking
When loading the moving vehicle, place artwork boxes upright and avoid stacking anything on top of them. If you’ve labelled the boxes as fragile and have moving van professionals in charge, this should help remind them to avoid box stacking during the big move.
12. Climate Considerations
If your art is sensitive to temperature or humidity, consider climate-controlled storage during transportation.
13. Unpack with Care
Upon arriving at your new home, unpack each piece of artwork with the same care and attention you packed it.
14. Immediate Inspection
Inspect each piece as you unpack for any signs of damage. The sooner you identify issues, the better.
15. Professional Help for Valuable Art
For high-value or extremely fragile pieces, consider hiring professional art movers. They have the expertise to handle delicate items.
Conclusion
Packing and moving artwork might seem daunting, but with these practical tips, you can rest assured your art will be as safe and sound as the memories they carry. Remember, each piece of art is not just an object but a fragment of your story. With careful packing, they’ll continue to adorn and inspire in your new home, just as they did in your old one.
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