How to Pack Pictures For Moving Like a Pro
Take extra care for these extra-fragile items
- Packing tape
- Masking tape
- Permanent marker
- Measuring tape
- Heavy-duty moving boxes
- Packing paper
- Bubble wrap
- Flat foam or cardboard sheets
- Cardboard corner protectors
Packing up your house is nobody’s favorite activity, especially when you add the stress of determining how to pack pictures for moving. But with the right techniques, you can make sure your family pictures, framed art pieces, and mirrors make it safely.
No matter if you’re moving across the country or just across town, here’s how to pack your frames (and keep them from shattering).
Measure Your Frames
Before taking a trip to the store, measure all the frames you’re planning to pack. Once everything is measured, buy your boxes.
Get the Right Types of Boxes
Photo: Kathrin Ziegler / Getty ImagesLarge frames, like the big piece of art hanging over your mantel, should get their own box. Each box should be slightly larger than the frame, leaving enough space for a little cushion, but not enough for the picture to slide around. Smaller frames, like a gallery wall of family photos, can be packaged and moved together.
You can typically find boxes at a moving supply store or even a local hardware store. While you’re there, you should also pick up everything else you’ll need, including packing paper, bubble wrap, extra cushioning like foam sheets, and tape.
X Marks the Spot
For any large pictures framed in glass, use masking tape to mark a big X across the front. This way, if the worst happens and the glass breaks, it won’t shatter everywhere. And don’t worry; the tape will peel right off when you unpack.
Wrap It Up
Photo: Westend61 / Getty ImagesFor extra reinforcement, cover the glass with a thin piece of cardboard or flat foam a tape it in place.
Working on a flat surface, wrap up the frame completely in packing paper. Cover it on all sides, then securely tape it in place. Place corner protectors over the corners, then wrap bubble wrap over the packing paper.
Pro tip: Make sure you’re using brown packaging paper and never use newspaper. Newsprint ink can rub off the paper and onto your frame! If you have newspapers lying around, you can put them to use in the next step.
Keep It Snug
Now place your frame (or frames) into the appropriate box. You can add some extra cushion on the bottom and sides of the box with flat foam pieces or extra cardboard.
After placing the frame, add extra packaging paper to fill in any gabs between the picture and the box. You want to pack it so the frame is snug and doesn’t move or slide around. Close the box and shake it slightly—if you can feel the contents moving around, add more packing paper.
Label Accordingly
Photo: Marko Geber / Getty ImagesTape up the box and write “fragile” in large letters using a sharpie or thick marker. If you’re hiring a local moving company, you want to make it 100 percent clear that the box should be handled with care. Even if you’re moving on your own, it helps to label each box clearly so you know exactly what’s inside, and which packages you need to handle with more care.
Additional Art Packing Tips
Whether you’re packing a small sculpture or a piece of artwork that’s bigger than any box you can find, the following tips can help you pack those tricky items like a pro.
Combine Two Boxes for Larger Items
For artwork that’s larger than 48 inches by 32 inches, try combining two mirror boxes instead of buying one big box, which can also save on costs in some circumstances. With two boxes, you can “telescope” the artwork by turning the boxes on their sides and sliding them around the artwork horizontally. Secure them together in the following steps:
At the top end of the first box, fold the small flaps in.
Fold one large flap on top of the other and tape.
On the second box, put pressure on the dotted lines until there’s a break in the cardboard.
Lock the tabs on the bottom end of the first box.
Squeeze the sides of the second box so that they indent, and slide box into the end of the first box.
Slide your item into the box.
On the open end of the second box, fold the small flaps in.
Fold one large flap on top of the other and tape.
Take Special Care with Sculptures
When packing small sculptures, bubble wrap and plastic wrap are your best friends. Since sculptures have small pieces that are particularly vulnerable during a move, you’ll want to first wrap the sculpture in plastic wrap, then roll up small strips of bubble wrap to secure around smaller pieces or areas of the sculpture. You’ll then take more bubble wrap around the entire sculpture until the outside resembles a large egg or cone, which will provide the most protection.
Ask About Additional Insurance
If you’re hiring a moving company to move your artwork and have a few pieces that are particularly valuable, you can ask your movers if they offer additional value-based insurance to cover your items. This way, if any damage occurs during the move or the quality of the artwork is compromised, you’ll have the pieces insured and will receive compensation.
DIY Packing Pictures vs. Hiring a Pro
It’s not difficult to wrap pictures, art, or mirrors for moving, but it’s delicate work. You have to ensure your items are packed correctly so they aren’t damaged during the move.
If you’d rather leave the packing to the pros, you can hire a local moving company to tackle this task for you. Packing and unpacking your belongings is likely a service you didn’t know that movers offer, but they are happy to help with this part of the process. Keep in mind that adding a packing service to your move will cost about $1,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before hiring a moving company to help you with your move, there are a few things you will want to ask, including:
Is there anything your company won’t move?
Does workers’ compensation cover the crew?
Will you disassemble and reassemble the furniture?
Are there packing restrictions?
Can you guarantee my delivery date?
Can you provide references?
What do you charge extra for?
What is your cancellation policy?
Moving insurance helps protect your belongings from damage or loss during the moving process. This policy can help reimburse you either part of or the total amount of your belongings that become damaged during the moving process. Moving insurance has three main options: full value protection, released value protection, and third-party or separate liability coverage. Speak with your moving company to determine what is covered under each policy and their cost to determine the best fit for your needs.
The average cost to hire movers is between $920 and $2,530 for local moves and $2,700 to $10,000 for long-distance moves. The number of movers you need, the total mileage you’re moving, your moving date, and ease of access to your home all factor into the bottom line.
For example, if you only need one or two movers, you can expect to pay $25 to $50 an hour. However, if you need four or more movers, that charge increases to $100 to $200 an hour. Moving specialty items, like a piano or large aquarium, will incur additional charges.
In the world of professional moving, moves are broken up into two categories—a local move and a long-distance move. A local move is anything considered under 100 miles, regardless if you’re crossing over state lines. A long-distance move is anything over 100 miles, even if you stay in the same state or location.
If you’re hiring movers to help with your move, there are a few things that you can do ahead of time to set yourself (and the moving company) up for success.
Donate or sell items ahead of time to lessen the amount to move
Alert your neighbors (or apartment management) of the move so they can plan for the moving truck to arrive
Pack your belongings securely ahead of your moving date
Disconnect any appliances prior to the moving date
Clear a path for the movers to move freely inside your home
Dispose of hazardous materials
Discuss with your moving coordinator where to unload the boxes
