Moving a painting, whether it’s a cherished family heirloom or a valuable piece of art, requires careful attention to detail. Yes, you can effectively wrap a painting for moving yourself, but it’s crucial to use the right materials and techniques to ensure its safety. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps and considerations for painting packing and art moving supplies, ensuring your artwork arrives at its new destination without a scratch.
Why Proper Painting Packing Matters
Paintings are not like everyday objects. They possess delicate surfaces, intricate frames, and inherent artistic value that demand a higher level of protection. Improper handling or insufficient painting packing can lead to a range of damages, from minor scuffs and dents to irreparable tears and cracks. Considering the cost of art, investing in the right art moving supplies and taking the time to pack correctly is always worthwhile.
Common Risks During a Move
- Surface Damage: Scratches, gouges, or punctures to the canvas or painted surface.
- Frame Damage: Chipped corners, broken moldings, or detached embellishments.
- Structural Damage: Cracks in the canvas, warping of the stretcher bars, or loosening of the paint layer.
- Environmental Damage: Exposure to moisture, extreme temperatures, or direct sunlight.
- Impact Damage: Damage from bumps, drops, or pressure from other items.
Essential Art Moving Supplies
Gathering the right art moving supplies before you begin is key to a successful and safe move. Don’t compromise on quality; using proper materials makes a significant difference.
Must-Have Materials for Painting Protection:
- Glassine Paper: A smooth, acid-free paper that protects the painted surface from scratches and smudges. It’s breathable and won’t stick to the paint.
- Acid-Free Cardboard or Foam Board: Provides a sturdy, protective layer for the front and back of the painting.
- Bubble Wrap (Small and Large Bubbles): Use small bubble wrap directly against the painting (over glassine) for cushioning, and large bubble wrap for outer layers of impact protection.
- Packing Tape: Strong, reliable tape to secure all layers.
- Moving Blankets or Furniture Pads: Offer substantial cushioning and protection against bumps and abrasions.
- Cardboard Boxes or Custom Crates: For final transport. For standard paintings, a cardboard art box is often suitable, but larger or more valuable pieces might require custom crating.
- Corner Protectors: Cardboard or foam protectors for the corners of the frame.
- Marker: For labeling.
- Scissors or Utility Knife: For cutting materials.
- Gloves: To prevent fingerprints and oils from transferring to the artwork.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Pack a Painting
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to pack artwork for a move, focusing on securing and protecting your pieces. This method is designed for DIY art packing and is highly effective.
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Painting
- Clear a Large, Flat Area: You’ll need ample space to lay out your materials and work on the painting.
- Clean Your Hands and Wear Gloves: This is crucial to avoid transferring oils and dirt onto the artwork.
- Assess the Painting: Gently inspect the painting for any existing damage, loose paint, or fragile areas. Note these down. If there’s loose paint, consider consulting a professional conservator.
Step 2: Protect the Surface with Glassine Paper
- Lay Out Glassine: Unroll a sheet of glassine paper large enough to cover the entire front of the painting, including the frame.
- Gentle Placement: Carefully lay the glassine paper over the artwork, ensuring it lies flat against the painted surface.
- Secure (Carefully): If necessary, use a very small piece of painter’s tape or a few dots of acid-free adhesive to hold the glassine in place at the edges. Avoid placing tape directly on the painted surface. For frames, tape on the back or sides is acceptable.
Step 3: Add a Sturdy Layer of Protection (Cardboard/Foam Board)
- Cut to Size: Cut two pieces of acid-free cardboard or foam board. One piece should be the exact size of the painting’s surface (excluding the frame), and the second should be slightly larger than the entire painting, including the frame.
- First Board: Place the smaller board directly over the glassine paper, ensuring it covers the painted surface.
- Second Board: Place the larger board over the entire painting and frame. This provides rigidity and protects the front and back.
- Secure the Boards: Use packing tape to secure these boards to the back of the painting’s frame. Ensure the tape is applied firmly but not so tight that it warps the frame. This is a crucial step in protecting paintings for shipping and moving.
Step 4: Add Bubble Wrap for Cushioning
- Small Bubble Wrap: Take a sheet of small-bubble bubble wrap and wrap it around the painting, covering the secured cardboard and frame. The bubbles should face inward, against the cardboard. This offers a first layer of cushioning.
- Secure Bubble Wrap: Use packing tape to secure the bubble wrap layer. Make sure it’s snug but not constricting.
Step 5: Reinforce with More Bubble Wrap (Optional but Recommended)
- Large Bubble Wrap: For extra protection, especially for larger or more valuable pieces, wrap the painting in another layer of large-bubble bubble wrap. This layer is primarily for impact absorption.
- Cover Completely: Ensure all edges and corners are well-covered.
Step 6: Protect the Corners
- Corner Protectors: Place cardboard or foam corner protectors over each corner of the painting’s frame.
- Secure Corners: Tape the corner protectors securely in place. This is vital for transporting artwork safely.
Step 7: Wrap in Moving Blankets
- Full Coverage: Place the bubble-wrapped painting flat onto a moving blanket.
- Wrap Tightly: Wrap the moving blanket tightly around the entire painting, ensuring it’s fully encased.
- Secure the Blanket: Use packing tape to secure the moving blanket in place.
Step 8: Place in a Box or Crate
- Cardboard Art Box: For smaller to medium-sized paintings, a dedicated cardboard art box is ideal. Ensure it’s the right size; if too large, you’ll need to add padding. Slide the wrapped painting into the box.
- Custom Crating: For very large, heavy, or extremely valuable pieces, custom wooden crates offer the highest level of protection. These are often constructed by professional art handlers.
- Fill Gaps: If using a standard box, fill any empty spaces around the painting with additional padding material like crumpled paper or bubble wrap to prevent shifting. This is part of securing paintings for travel.
Step 9: Label Clearly
- “Fragile”: Mark the box clearly with “FRAGILE – HANDLE WITH CARE” on all sides.
- Orientation: Indicate which side is “UP” with arrows.
- Contents: Label the box with “ARTWORK” or “PAINTING” for easy identification.
Special Considerations for Different Types of Art
While the general steps apply to most paintings, some variations might be needed depending on the artwork.
Framed vs. Unframed Paintings
- Framed: The above steps are ideal for framed paintings. Pay extra attention to protecting the frame itself from nicks and dents.
- Unframed Canvas: For unframed canvases, the glassine paper and bubble wrap are even more critical. You might consider stretching the canvas over a wooden stretcher bar for added rigidity before wrapping. If the canvas is very loose or old, professional conservation might be advised.
Paintings with Glass or Acrylic Fronts
- Extra Caution: If your painting has a glass or acrylic front, there’s an added risk of breakage. Ensure the glassine paper is securely taped, and the cardboard layers are firmly in place. A thick layer of bubble wrap is essential.
Large and Heavy Paintings
- Two-Person Lift: Always enlist help when moving large or heavy paintings.
- Sturdy Support: Consider using a specialized art easel or a sturdy board as a support when moving them.
- Professional Movers: For very large or valuable pieces, it’s highly recommended to hire professional art movers who have the experience and specialized equipment for transporting artwork safely.
Sculptures and 3D Art
- Different Approach: While this guide focuses on flat artwork, sculptures require a different packing strategy, often involving custom crating and extensive internal padding.
Transporting Paintings Safely
The way you transport your paintings is as important as how you pack them.
During the Move
- Vertical Placement: Whenever possible, transport paintings vertically. Laying them flat can put undue stress on the canvas and frame, especially if heavy items are placed on top.
- Secure Load: Ensure paintings are secured in the moving vehicle so they cannot slide or shift during transit. Use straps or tie-downs carefully, avoiding overtightening that could damage the frames.
- Avoid Stacking: Do not stack other heavy or hard items directly on top of packed paintings.
- Temperature Control: If possible, transport artwork in a climate-controlled vehicle, especially during extreme weather conditions.
Professional Movers vs. DIY
- DIY Art Packing: For less valuable pieces and smaller moves, DIY art packing is feasible and cost-effective. The detailed steps above will guide you.
- Professional Art Movers: For valuable, antique, or large collections, hiring professional art movers is the safest bet. They possess specialized knowledge, custom art moving supplies, and experience in handling delicate items, ensuring optimal protection for your artwork. They are experts in how to pack artwork and protecting paintings for shipping and relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I use regular packing paper instead of glassine?
A: While regular packing paper might offer some surface protection, it’s not ideal. Regular paper can be acidic, which can damage the artwork over time, and it may also leave fiber residue. Glassine paper is acid-free, smooth, and specifically designed for protecting delicate surfaces.
Q2: How do I protect a painting with a very delicate or cracked frame?
A: For extremely delicate frames, it’s best to consult a professional art conservator or framer. They can advise on or perform necessary repairs before packing. If you must pack it yourself, add extra layers of foam padding around the frame and ensure the cardboard protection is very secure, but avoid applying tape directly to any brittle or damaged areas.
Q3: Do I need to insure my paintings when moving them?
A: Yes, it’s highly recommended to insure your paintings, especially valuable ones, for the move. Standard homeowner’s insurance might not cover artwork adequately during transit. You may need to purchase specific transit insurance or ensure your moving company provides adequate coverage.
Q4: What if the painting is very large?
A: For large paintings, you’ll need larger sheets of glassine, cardboard, and bubble wrap. Custom-built crates are often the safest option for very large pieces. Always get help from at least one other person when moving large artwork to prevent accidents. Professionals are often the best choice for these situations.
Q5: How do I secure a painting in a truck if I don’t have a dedicated art crate?
A: Use moving blankets to wrap the painting, then place it vertically against a sturdy wall of the truck. Secure it with straps that go around the entire load, ensuring they press against the moving blankets and not directly onto the painting’s box. Wedge other items tightly around it to prevent any movement.
By following these detailed steps and using the appropriate art moving supplies, you can confidently pack and move your paintings, ensuring they remain in pristine condition. Remember, careful preparation and proper painting packing are the cornerstones of safely transporting artwork safely.