gather supplies
Before you start packing, make sure you have the right supplies on hand. Please read the steps below to determine what materials are needed for the items you are moving.
materials:
- packing paper
- packing tape
- a permanent marker
- bubble wrap
- picture boxes/ mirrors
- small moving boxes
- cardboard tube
- artist’s tape
- flat sheets of foam or cardboard
- glass, acid-free or archival paper
- boxes or photo albums
steps to pack frames and mirrors
Whether it’s a $30 painting from the store or your grandmother’s antique mirror, you want to make sure it’s safe in transit. start by gathering the appropriate supplies, then follow these steps:
- Using artist’s tape, create an “x” on the glass. this will help keep the glass intact during transit.
- Cut a piece of cardboard or foam slightly larger than the frame, place it over the glass and secure with packing tape.
- Wrap the entire piece in two or more sheets of packing paper and tape the loose ends together.
- if desired, add a layer of bubble wrap for added protection and safety. secure with packing tape.
- protect the bottom of a picture/mirror box with packing paper, then slide the object into the box. Please note that large items must be individually packaged in special boxes. smaller mirrors and framed pictures can be wrapped and packaged together. stack these items vertically and do not lay flat.
- fill the extra space with more paper to keep it from shifting.
- glue and label the box “fragile” on all sides.
how to move canvas
The best way to pack a canvas will depend on whether it is stretched on a wooden frame or rolled. here are the steps for each scenario:
stretched
- Cover the canvas with glassine, acid-free, or archival paper.
- glue a sheet of foam or cardboard to the back of the canvas.
- Place the canvas in a plastic gallery wrap bag to protect it from moisture.
- wrap the whole thing with two layers of bubble wrap and secure with tape.
- sandwich the canvas between two sheets of foam board or cardboard and use the packing tape to hold the sheets together. pieces together.
- cover a picture/mirror box with padded paper and slide the canvas into the box, filling in any empty spaces with more paper.
- glue and label the box.
rolled up
- Place the canvas between two sheets of paper of your choice (painted side down).
- loosely roll canvas and paper (rolling too tight can cause damage).
- roll with bubble wrap.
- slide canvas into tube of cardboard.
- place the end caps and seal with packing tape.
- label the tube.
the best way to store single photos
If you’re like most people, you probably have hundreds or thousands of stray photos buried. Organizing them can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it, especially if many are old and irreplaceable. There are three ideal ways to organize single photos:
- Albums. Probably the most popular way to store images is in an album. however, you’ll want to avoid “magnetic” peel-and-stick albums and those that aren’t acid- or lignin-free because they can damage your images. wrap the albums in a layer of packing paper and stack them vertically inside a moving box.
- photo boxes. come in all sizes and colors and are great for long-term storage; just be sure to use acid-free cardboard or metal boxes. many also come equipped with divider tabs to help organize, but if they don’t, you can also overlay photos between sheets of acid-free paper. or just lay them flat in the box. When it’s time to move, wrap the boxes in packing paper and place them inside a moving box.
- digital storage. Backing up your images digitally will take some time, but you’ll be glad you did if anything ever happens. At a minimum, consider digitally storing your favorite photos. Do this by scanning the images to a computer and then storing them in a cloud service, online photo storage website, external hard drive, or USB flash drive. or upload directly from your phone, tablet or camera.
Learn more about National Archives image storage.
helpful tips
When packing photos, canvas, and similar items, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- do not exceed 40 pounds. per box.
- Avoid wrapping pieces in newspaper because the ink could damage them.
- do not use packing balls for the filling. due to static, they can be difficult to remove from glass.
- Wash your hands or put on cotton gloves before handling photos or canvas. oil from your hands can create stains and damage the quality of items.
- load the boxed frames sideways. never lay them flat because the pressure can break the glass.
want more tips?
Check out this resource on packing household items for even more helpful tips. And if you have any questions about moving your pictures, mirrors, and artwork, please leave a comment below. we are happy to help.