Packing paintings is tricky. They are large, often difficult to transport, and, if not packed correctly, almost look for reasons to rip or tear. Even if you leave the painting in its frame, your art is still at risk. Packing your art requires some special attention and extra know-how. Luckily, your friends at iStorage are here to help. We’re the storing experts, so you’ve come to the right place to learn how to pack a painting for moving. Here are a few things you should keep in mind to keep your art pristine.
Prep for Your Framed Paintings
Before you think about how to pack your painting for moving, make sure to prep. Frame prep is a challenging process, if only because every part of a frame is fragile. If the display has any glass, be sure to make a large “X” from corner to corner in masking tape. That way, if the frame cracks or breaks during transit, you’ll be able to tell immediately. Though this is a preventative step, it will make all the difference if something goes wrong. Cover the glass with some heavy cardboard – big enough to cover the glass, but not bigger than the whole painting. Then, liberally pack the painting for moving in bubble wrap. If you are running low on material, visit a storage center for some moving boxes and packing supplies. Carefully place the paintings in appropriately sized boxes.
Prep for Your Unframed Paintings
Just because you didn’t enclose your painting in a glass case does not mean that it is safe. Far from it, now you have opened a whole new list of hazards. Chief among them are abrasions, smearing, and water damage. Thankfully, you are reading this and will take the appropriate steps to protect your paintings. Below are the steps that you need to take if you want to learn how to pack your painting for moving the correct way.
How to Pack a Painting for Moving: Roll Your Paintings
If you roll your paintings when you pack them for moving, you are less likely to find various smears and scratches. It is also smart to wrap the rolled painting in cling-film to give it a little more water resistance. It won’t completely protect it from water, but it will do a whole lot more than nothing would.
How to Pack a Painting for Moving: Tube It
You will need to wrap your painting with an outer layer. Without it, you may accidentally crush your painting. To prevent that exact scenario, grab some cardboard tubes of the appropriate length. They should, as it is a pretty common specialty box. Now there is a sturdy outer layer to protect your painting; it might not stop a falling couch, but it should be enough to prevent most things from crushing your painting.
If you follow these steps on how to pack your painting for moving, your art should make it to your destination safely. Now go hang up that painting in your new place, it’ll really tie the room together. Now go forth, and get moving.