How to Perfectly Pack Paintings, Portraits & Pictures

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of flickr

If you’re like most folks, your walls contain a good deal of framed artwork.  Whether we’re talking framed photographs, fine art prints, portraits of family and friends, or original works of art, everything mounted in a frame can be devilishly difficult to pack.  Not only are few frames precisely the same size, the frames themselves can be quite delicate, and some framed artwork is covered with a sheet of glass.  Talk about an accident waiting for a place to happen. If you want your framed artwork to make it from your current domicile to your new one in one piece, there are a few tricks of the trade you need to learn first.

Move Over Matisse

Image courtesy of pinterest

When art museums pack and ship priceless works of art, they use a system that has been perfected over several centuries.  First, they sort the frames by size. Then they determine the best way to pack each piece. Usually, this starts by carefully wrapping the artwork in cardboard and shrink wrap.  This is to shield each masterpiece from shock, vibration, moisture and the UV rays.  Then the curators will construct a custom-made wooden crate that further protects the artwork from damage.  Some will even paint the crate white, which helps keep the masterpiece contained inside the crate cooler.

While you probably don’t own any paintings by Matisse or Picasso, that doesn’t mean your own collection isn’t precious to you.  If you want to protect your paintings, you need to take a few tips from the pros.

1.      Start by sorting your collection by size. Once you have gathered all your framed artwork, the first item on the agenda is the sort. The best room to do this is either in the dining room or the guest bedroom.  That’s because the sort requires a large flat surface (like a dining room table or bed) to pack your pictures and empty wall space against which to stack your collection.

1. Stack like-sized frames on their side against the walls until you have successfully sorted your collection by size.  You could well end up with 10-20 stacks depending on your collection.  Stacking paintings on their side eliminates the possibility that the weight of the stack will cause damage to the frames on the bottom.

      2.      Create a packing station – Gather your packing materials, including cardboard boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, painter’s tape, packing tape, labels and a marker.  I recommend you start working with your largest pieces and work your way down.  You’ll see why I recommend this a little later. 

Choose a painting and lay it flat on the table or bed.  Next, you need to fashion a cardboard box that fits the frame like a glove.  The easiest way to do this is to cut apart a box that is close to the size of the frame. Then lay the frame on the box, take your marker and draw the outline of the frame, leaving about an extra 2-inches all the way around.  Make two of these and then using scissors, cut the outlines out.

Image courtesy of the Practical Artist

Sandwich the painting between the two pieces of cardboard and fold the edges over until you have completely covered the frame in every direction.  Remove the top piece of cardboard and use painter’s tape to form an X in the center of any glass. Then replace the cardboard and seal the edges with packing tape. Roll out a sheet of bubble wrap and lay the cardboard covered painting on it.  Then wrap the bubble wrap around the painting at least twice before using packing tape to secure the bubble wrap.  Never use bubble wrap beneath the cardboard, since static electricity can cause the paint to adhere to the bubble wrap, which could ruin your artwork.

     

Image courtesy of Reed Art & Photo

3.      Larger paintings should be packed in their own and stored on their side in the truck. Smaller paintings and photos can be wrapped in packing paper, followed by a layer of bubble wrap, then packed on their side in another box.  As long as you don’t overload the box, these framed mementos will get to their destination safely as long as you remember to add a couple of sheets of bubble wrap on the bottom and top of the box.  You can even add a layer of crumpled packing paper between the top of the paintings and the lid to keep them from jostling.  Never use newsprint to wrap paintings, since printer ink can and will rub off on your artwork.

      4.      Medium-sized frames can also be stacked together on their side in another box, provided that they are also padded top and bottom and side to side.  As a precaution, I also recommend slipping a sheet of cardboard between each painting in the box. The secret to preventing damage is to immobilize and cushion the frames, to keep them from bouncing around in the truck. 

      5.      Prominently label all your framed artwork and make sure to tell your movers what these boxes contain.  I strongly suggest you add big red FRAGILE and THIS SIDE UP stickers to these boxes. This way the crew will know not to lay these boxes on their side or put any other boxes on top of them.

While your art collection may not be worth millions of dollars, they are no doubt priceless to you.  By taking a few simple precautions, along with a few tips from the pros, you too can perfectly pack your paintings, portraits, and pictures.

With over 5,000 moves, Scott's Discount Movers has handled moves of all sizes, including local and cross country. If you are looking to move your home or office, you can depend on Scott's Discount Movers to provide a stress-free relocation.