For most people, the artwork and collectibles they own are incredibly special to them. If you are moving, learning how to move art and other valuable items properly is key to ensuring their safe arrival at your new home. Ideally this should be left to professionals who have the expertise and proper materials. Having your moving company prepare your art and other delicate items for moving will be money well spent.

If you decide you to tackle this on your own, we recommend you purchase professional quality packing materials if you want to be certain that no damage occurs during your move. Here are professional tips on how to move art and other valuable and fragile items:

Packing Paintings or Prints with Glass

Put masking tape across the glass in an “X” pattern
Cover the glass with a piece of heavy or corrugated cardboard, mat board, or foam sheet
Wrap the entire painting in bubble wrap
Secure edges of bubble wrap with masking tape to keep it secure
Purchase professionally designed “mirror/picture” cartons from your mover or a moving supply company
If putting more than one piece of artwork in the same box, pack them facing each other
Fill extra spaces in the box with crushed packing paper or other filling
Close box and securely tape it, especially around outside edges

Packing Oil Paintings

Oil paintings require special care as their surfaces are easily damaged. If the painting is extremely large, heavy or very valuable, it is best to have the mover build a custom crate to ensure maximum protection. If you decide not to have a crate made then the following method is an option:

Wrap the painting in a special glassine paper which is designed especially for paintings
Wrap the entire painting in a thick layer of bubble wrap
Purchase Styrofoam which usually comes in 1” to 2 ½” thickness; the larger the painting, the thicker the Styrofoam needs to be
Cut a sheet of Styrofoam to a size that is 2” wider than the size of the framed painting
Cut strips of Styrofoam to fit all around the frame, making sure to also address the depth of the frame
Tape the layers together securely making a foam package
Cut two large cardboard sheets the same size as the Styrofoam package so that you can fold the cardboard up over the ends
Tape the cardboard securely to the Styrofoam
Put the entire package into the appropriate size picture box and tape the carton closed

Packing Sculptures and Figurines

When it comes to moving art, sculptures are especially difficult to pack because of their irregular shape/ size. Very large, heavy or extremely valuable sculptures should be crated. Smaller pieces can be packed in cartons provided they are properly protected:

The entire sculpture or figurine should be wrapped in enough bubble wrap that you cannot feel the sculpture inside the package, leaving no area exposed
Use high quality packing tape to secure the package
Use an appropriately sized box that is not too large to limit movement within
Fill the bottom of your box with packing peanuts to a minimum depth of 2” to give the best protection – the heavier the item, the more peanuts should be used
Put your piece in the box and use packing paper or another fill material to surround it
Seal the box with packing tape

One of Premiere’s specialties is to act as a hand courier for transportation of your art. For more information or to get a quote please contact the Premiere branch closest to you or call 1-877-671-6683.