A Step-by-Step Guide to Pack Paintings for Relocation

Damaging your precious artwork during relocation is a nightmarish prospect. While the best way to ensure their safety is to hire a professional art moving company, there are times when such a service may simply be beyond your means. 

It may seem daunting at first, but it is possible to do the job yourself with proper planning and preparation. 

Here is a step-by-step process to help you move your paintings safely and efficiently. 

Step # 1: Measure the dimensions

Carefully measure your painting’s dimensions to help you select the right set of packing materials that are most appropriate for its transportation. It would help if you also determined its weight to calculate the estimated shipping cost.

Step# 2: Gather packing supplies

With the painting correct correctly measured, proceed by gathering the following packing supplies.

• Measuring tape
• Shipping scale (optional)
• Double-wall corrugated picture/mirror box or sturdy shipping tube
• Glassine paper
• Pair of scissors
• Artist’s tape
• Cardboard corner protectors
• Bubble wrap
• Foam boards
• Pressure-sensitive packing tape

If you are shipping unframed paintings larger than 48” x 48” or framed pieces larger than 18” x 24”, we recommend that you use a wooden crate for shipping. Once you have all the materials ready, prepare a clean and stable work surface to start the packing process.

Step #3: Cover unframed art with glassine paper

Cover the entire canvas with archival-quality glassine paper to guard it against dust and moisture. Fix it into place with artist tape.

Fold your artwork with two glassine sheets on either side. Place paper-based art face up and fabric-based artwork face down to prevent cracks and creases.

Step #4: Cover the glass or acrylic with artist tape

To protect glass or acrylic surfaces, use artist tape to create a star pattern over it. The cross will make sure that when the glass breaks, it doesn’t rip your artwork. Protect the edges with cardboard corners, as they are most susceptible to damage.

Step #5: Wrap the paintings with bubble wrap

Wrap your paintings with high-quality bubble wrap sheets. Cover all sections of the painting with a 2-inch thick bubble wrap. 

Step #6: Set the artwork between foam boards

Once you have wrapped everything, place your painting between two thick foam boards and cover it with packing tape to ensure there is no sliding or movement during transit.

Step #7: Fill the gaps with bubble wrap

Place your artwork inside a shipping container and fill the gaps with leftover bubble wrap to prevent it from shifting around. Use high-quality packing tape to seal the box securely, and call professional services to deliver the artwork safely to its destination.

About TyArt

We provide museum-standard art installation, transportation, crating, storage, and display services for homes and offices in Houston, Texas. Our storage facility is climate-controlled and rigorously monitored. We specialize in handling all kinds of art pieces, including large paintings and sculptures of considerable size. Just tell us your requirement, and our team of professionals will take care of it. You can call us at +1 713-869-4044 or fill our online contact form to know more.