If you enjoy collecting art pieces, moving can be challenging. It would be best if you took extra care of your pieces, especially the delicate ones. Protecting your art pieces is just as important as protecting your other valuables.
You can fit your paintings, statues, and mirrors in a mirror box or artwork box. However, you will need a wooden crate for larger, heavier pieces. China cartons are appropriate for packing smaller art pieces. For the protection of your artwork, they contain two layers of cardboard.
The two critical packing steps include protecting your art piece and padding the box. Follow these steps to pack and transport your large pieces of art safely.
1. Prepare a Packing Checklist for Your Art Pieces
Your framed photos and works of art will need additional protection before being loaded into the moving truck. It is the surest way to ensure they arrive at your new destination securely. Here is a packing checklist for your art pieces:
- Cardboard or Styrofoam corner protectors
- Wooden crates
- A specialized moving box
- Labeling supplies
- Packing peanuts, bubble wrap, tape, and other protective gear
The items you need depend on your art pieces. Please pay attention to their size and fragility.
2. Avoid Putting Several Pieces Together
Put each one of your art pieces in its packaging if you can. If you put several pieces together, they will likely damage each other. However, this may be okay when packing smaller photo frames that are the same size. Use sufficient protection to minimize the risk of damage.
If you pack fragile pieces of wall art and framed artwork with different sizes together, one bump in the moving truck can damage everything.
3. Packing Larger Sculptures
If you have a sculpture that is several feet tall and considerably heavy, you must exercise extra precaution when packing it.
Depending on the nature of your piece, you can use a wooden crate or cardboard box. Estimate the weight of your piece and make the right decision. If it weighs more than 40 pounds, the average single-walled box won’t be able to support it during your move; in that case, you’ll need a wood crate.
Many contemporary artworks are hollow and lightweight because they are created with plaster molds. If that’s the case, you can use a single, sizable cardboard box with enough padding. However, you must verify its strength before the move. Using wood boxes is your best bet when handling bulky art pieces.
4. Compare Moving Companies that Specialize In Fragile and Oversize Pieces
Moving doesn’t need to be a tedious or complicated process. Plenty of moving companies specialize in oversize or fragile art pieces. As you explore long-distance moving options, consider your budget, the level of safety guaranteed, and the company’s customer service. The right company will take care of the hard part as you focus on your new adventure.
They will handle everything from the packing process and make sure your art gets to its destination in one piece.
5. Insurance
Consider getting insurance coverage when you want to transport large pieces of art. Always speak to your mover about additional insurance if you are transporting valuable pieces. Ensure that the insurance is value-based rather than the customary weight-based insurance.
6. Load the Boxes Correctly
Make sure that your boxes are properly positioned in the truck. Your packed art piece should lay on its side for proper pressure absorption. Do not lay it flat. Your pictures should be on the edge. Ensure they are positioned properly to minimize the risk of falling over. You would be smart to put them between objects that don’t move easily.
Do you have large art pieces? While they may look good in your home, moving them can be difficult. Luckily, it isn’t an impossible task. With the help of a professional mover, your pieces can get to their destination in good condition.
