How to Pack Pictures for Moving

If you’re moving and don’t know how to pack pictures for moving? You can hire a professional moving company to pack your pictures. Professional movers often charge $50-$80 per hour to pack fragile items like pictures, which might take 15 - 30 minutes per picture.

Here’s advice from a professional mover on the best way to pack pictures for moving. The cost is reasonable, but pictures still need to be packed with care.

Things You Need Before You Start

• Blanket or foam

• Bubble wrap

• Cardboard picture boxes (slightly larger than your frames)

• Packing tape

• Corner protectors, packing paper, labels (Optional)

We’ll cover the best way to wrap pictures for moving within a few steps.

Packing Paintings for Moving

Step 1: Prepare a Safe Workspace

Choose a flat workspace. Lay down a soft blanket or foam pad to prevent scratches or damage while wrapping the pictures.

Step 2: Wrap Your Pictures and Paintings Properly

Now, lay the bubble wrap on your workspace and place the picture face up on it. Wrap it tightly once, then add a second layer for protection. Seal all sides with tape.

Step 3: Choose the Right Box

Get a cardboard box slightly larger than the picture, mirror boxes work well. Just make sure you choose a box that’s the right size for your picture or painting. Reinforce the bottom of the box with extra tape across the seam.

Step 4: Pack the Wrapped Pictures into the Box

Carefully slide the wrapped picture into the box so it stands upright. Fill any empty gaps with packing paper or foam. Seal the top of the box securely. Label the box “Fragile” and “This Side Up”.

Final Tips for Packing Pictures Safely

• Pack pictures vertically instead of flat.

• Don’t overload the box.

• Keep valuable paintings with you instead of sending them in a moving truck.

• Add a short list of dos and don’ts for extra safety.

Mistakes to Avoid Packing Pictures for Moving

With all the stress of moving day, mistakes can happen. Here are some common packing mistakes to watch for.

• Don’t stack items on the top of the boxes of your pictures or paintings, there’s a chance they’ll get crushed. Place your picture boxes in a separate area from the other moving boxes.
  
  

• Don’t carry picture boxes on their sides. Carrying the boxes upright is much safer. Don’t store pictures flat, pressure can crack the glass.
  
  

• Tell anyone helping you move about the “Fragile” labels so they handle the boxes carefully. Make sure the person holding the box sees the “Fragile” label or write it on the top of your box.
  
  

• When the boxes of your picture frames go into a moving truck, place them between two heavy items so they won’t shift and break during transport. Don’t wedge them too tightly, internal pressure can damage the frame. They shouldn’t be crushed.
  
  

• If you’re packing a picture frame that has glass in it, don’t pack it with the packing peanuts as padding in the box. Packing peanuts can create static cling and stick to the glass, making them hard to remove.

If you were confused in the beginning of this article about how to pack pictures for moving, now you should relax. Packing pictures and paintings isn’t a tough job. With these simple steps and the proper materials, you know the best way to pack paintings for moving with safety.

There’s no need to rush, follow each step carefully and take your time. And your pictures will arrive at your new home in perfect condition. Need safe and affordable storage for your packed pictures or moving items? 

Contact The Mobile Storage Guy and make your move easier.

FAQs

Q. Should I remove the glass from picture frames before packing?
A. It’s not necessary to remove the glass. In fact,  it’s safer to keep the glass in place and cover it with masking tape in an X shape to prevent shattering. Ensure that you wrap it with bubble wrap.

Q. How do I pack very large wall art or oversized pictures?
A. For large artwork, use special picture moving boxes or build your own by taping two flat boxes together. Corner protectors and extra padding are important for the bigger paintings because they are more fragile and can be bent or cracked easily. 

Q. Is it safe to pack multiple pictures in one box?
A. Yes, you can pack more than one picture in the same box as long as each frame is wrapped separately and placed upright, not flat. Add padding between each frame so they don’t rub or hit each other.

Q. Do I need a special box for canvas paintings?
A. Canvas art should be packed in picture boxes or telescopic boxes. Since canvas can dent easily, put foam corner protectors on all sides before wrapping.

Q. Can pictures be packed in newspapers?
A. Newspaper will not be recommended as ink may add onto the frame or artwork. Instead, it would be better to employ squeaky-clean packing papers or foam.