Anyone with an extensive art collection would want to keep every piece of their artwork in a pristine and perfect collection. The team of Safe Ship Moving Services underlines that doing so can be a bit tricky during a move, as artwork tends to be quite delicate and easily breakable. The writing packing and handling techniques are necessary to safely move artwork from the old living space to the new one.
Safe Ship Moving Services underlines steps to follow when packing artwork for a move
Relocating to a new home is a tough endeavour. However, the process becomes trickier for people with an abundance of fragile artwork. Moving artwork to where one is relocating involves a certain amount of risk. To minimize such risks, it is important to follow these steps:
- Step 1: Arrange them on the floor with packing supplies: One would require cardboard cut to the same sizes as frames and canvases, along with sticky tape and non-stick paper. All the frames to be moved should be laid down on the floor. One has to categorize artwork on the basis of whether they are framed, have glass, are painted on canvas, or are uncovered oil or charcoal, as each type would require a bit different approach.
- Step 2: Cover framed glass with an X in sticky tape: For glass frames, sturdy sticky tape should be used to create an X over the glass. For larger frames, adding more lines of sticky tape across the still empty spaces on the glass would be a smart choice.
- Step 3: Add non-stick paper to the front of the painted canvas: Oil or charcoal artwork that is not behind glass is likely to be sealed with an artist’s spray. Hence, one would not have to worry about smudging it. While packing the artwork, one can use non-stick paper, such as baking paper which can prevent other things from ruining the artwork.
- Step 4: Add cardboard to frames and canvas: Despite one’s best efforts, things may get jostled around during transit. Hence, for extra protection, one should consider adding cardboard on top of the glass frames, and on both sides of canvas. The extra support is appreciated as it will keep the canvas intact and prevent it from getting ripped. It would also be a gentle buffer for anything that might come close to hitting the glass.
- Step 5: Wrap artwork in packing paper: One must wrap every painting, frame, or canvas in packing paper, over the sticky tape and cardboard. This shall make sure that all the pieces are to the same packed standard, making it easier to put them in boxes.
- Step 6: Pack into boxes according to size: Artwork should be put in boxes according to their size and shape. They must be fitted closely, but not tightly.
When packing artwork for a move, one may have extra space inside the box, which can pose a risk to the safety of the paintings. As recommended by the Safe Ship Moving Services team, care should be taken while filling the empty places. Cushioning materials such as shredded paper or packing peanuts can be used to prevent the artwork from getting torn, moved about, or breaking during transit.
