Artwork is fragile in ways regular dishes aren’t: glass cracks, frames twist, and painted surfaces can stick to the wrong packing material. The safest approach is to prevent abrasion, stop movement inside the box, and keep the piece upright.
Here’s a practical art-packing method TwoGuysAndATruckHoboken recommends for moves in Hoboken, NJ and the NJ-NY tri-state area.
What you’ll need
– glassine paper or clean packing paper (for the surface)
– corner protectors (foam or cardboard)
– moving blankets or foam sheets
– picture/mirror boxes (telescoping if possible)
– painter’s tape + “FRAGILE / THIS SIDE UP” labels
Step-by-step: framed art with glass
1) Protect the glass
Use painter’s tape to make an “X” across the glass. This helps hold shards if the glass breaks.
2) Wrap the surface
Place glassine or clean paper over the front, then add a layer of foam or a blanket. Avoid letting bubble wrap press directly against delicate painted surfaces for long periods.
3) Add corner protection
Corners take most impacts. Corner guards make a huge difference during hallway turns and truck stacking.
4) Box it snug
Use a mirror/picture box sized close to the piece. Fill voids so the art can’t slide.
Canvas (no glass)
– Cover the face with clean paper (not plastic).
– Add a rigid “sandwich” of cardboard on both sides to prevent punctures.
– Box upright and strap in the truck.
Sculptures and odd shapes
– Use double-boxing: inner padded box + outer box with cushioning.
– Mark the top, and keep it from shifting.
Loading rules
– Transport upright whenever possible.
– Never stack heavy items against the art box.
– Keep artwork away from the back corner of the truck where bumps are strongest.
If you have high-value or sentimental pieces, it’s often worth using professional packing for art. TwoGuysAndATruckHoboken can provide the right materials and secure loading for artwork moves across Hoboken, NJ and the NJ-NY tri-state area.