Packing Ultra-fragile Items: A How-to Guide
Moving fragile items can be quite a hectic and terrifying experience, especially when the fragile items are extremely valuable. Taking a page frommoving service blogs on how to move fine art, porcelain, and clay objects can help. Here is a little how-to guide for packing ultra-fragile and very valuable items for moving day.
Newspaper First
First and foremost, wrap the item in newspaper. Don't worry if the newspaper leaves black printing smudges on the item. It is better to have an ink smudge than a crack! Additionally, the newspaper holds the fragile item together in the very rare event that it does break. Then you can carefully unroll it and collect the pieces for the restoration expert.
Bubble Wrap Second
Next comes the bubble wrap. Roll the newspapered item up in at least two layers of bubble wrap. This provides the initial cushioning for the object. You can use more bubble wrap if you want, but the next couple of steps should be sufficient at keeping the item safe and secure. If you are wrapping and rolling a really large item, then yes, use more bubble wrap.
Packing Peanuts or Inflatable Poly Bags Third
Finally, find a box that is the correct size for your item so that no part of it is touching the sides, bottom, or top of the box. This prevents breaking the item if it is jostled during the ride and bumps against the sides or bottom of the moving truck. Fill the bottom of the box about a third to a half of the way with packing peanuts. You may also use inflated poly bags that are often used for shipping purposes.
Place the item on top of the packing peanuts or the poly bags. Make sure there is plenty of space all the way around the item as it rests in the box. Now, fill the box the rest of the way up to the top, covering the item with packing peanuts or poly bags. Your item should be completely submerged.
Sealing the Box
By all means, seal the box! Use strong packing tape to prevent all edges of the box from coming undone. Do not tie the box up with string or use adhesives like glue or rubber cement. Tape this box up as though you are going to mail this ultra-fragile item to someone else and that someone else has paid a fortune for the item. Label the item as fragile so your movers know that they need to be really careful with it. Now the item is ready to be put on the moving truck.