If you're an artist, or someone with an extensive art collection, then you'd want to make sure that your art is carefully prepared for moving. If you're packing things yourself, you will need to take special care so that your irreplaceable artwork arrives at your new location undamaged. Here are some of the things you need to prepare your artwork and how you can pack them to reduce damage.
Materials You Will Need
In order to pack your artwork correctly, make sure you have sturdy and protective materials. Acid-free packing materials are the best for artwork, especially if you expect your pieces to be crated for long periods. Here's a list of some suggested supplies to have on hand.
- Stiff or sturdy flat cardboard
- Painter's tape
- Strong cardboard box or wooden crate
- Rolled tubes
- Plastic or bubble wrap
- Strong packing tape
- Styrofoam
Packing Framed Artwork
Use the stiff cardboard to cover up the glass or painted canvas area to provide a protective barrier. It's also helpful to covered the back of any stretched canvas painting to keep things from poking or stretching the canvas. Make an X across the surface of any artwork covered by glass. Plexiglas is usually durable enough that it won't need taping, however, as long as you cover it with sturdy cardboard. Wrap your paintings and sculptures tightly with plastic wrap and bubble wrap. Use Styrofoam corners or molds to further secure and protect your artwork. Place the pieces in a cardboard box or wooden crate and make sure you mark them as fragile.
Packing Small or Loose Artwork
Loose, unfinished flat artwork can be rolled up and placed in cardboard shipping tubes. These tubes are sturdy enough so that you don't need to wrap the artwork in anything else. You can also fit several pieces in one tube, but may want to protect each one with a sheet of acid-free paper between them. Small sculptures can be wrapped protectively, and several can be placed in a single sturdy box. Make sure you provide a barrier or other means to keep them from moving around and damaging each other. You can use packing peanuts as an insulator, but don't use newspaper as the newsprint could rub off and cause damage.
If your collection is large, be sure to prepare things well ahead of your move. Once you've had your artwork properly packed and marked, the moving company should handle the rest for you. When you get to your destination, unpack your artwork carefully and check for any damage. Chance are, if you packed it correctly, your artwork will arrive safe and sound. For more moving advice on how to pack valuable items such as artwork, contact a moving company for more details.
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