Yes. All artwork and mirrors must be packed during your move.
Packing artwork and mirrors are an important and unique part of the packing process. Special boxes are used for packing artwork and mirrors; they are four corner pieces that slide together fitting tightly around most artwork up to 48″ by 48″.
*Extremely large artwork and mirrors have to be boxed with custom materials or crates.
Packing Artwork Properly
Usually your artwork and mirrors can be packed efficiently and safely with our 4-piece custom box.
This box fits perfectly around your artwork or mirror exactly to the size necessary.
Using standard boxes will leave open spaces. Our boxes fit to the exact size of your item.
*IMPORTANT: Keep all artwork and mirrors vertical and on edge prior to, during and after packing. Never lay artwork or mirrors flat.
Preparing Artwork For Packing
Framed Artwork
Framed artwork that has a complete frame and glass front needs to be protected with foam or packing paper before packing into a cardboard custom box. You can also wrap this artwork in brown paper, but some cushioning is required. You can pad each side with bubble wrap as well. The ultimate goal is to ensure all six sides of the box has at least 1 inch of padding between the art and the cardboard.
Canvas Artwork
Canvas artwork must be treated with special care. It is of utmost importance that the artwork is kept in regulated temperatures and never enters extreme weather conditions. Canvas art that has not been framed is susceptible to more damage due to lack of framing. These pieces must be wrapped with additional padding and perhaps even sealed in shrink wrap after to avoid potential damage.
Framed Mirrors
Framed mirrors should be treated similarly to framed artwork. The major difference here is the weight of the item. Mirrors are often heavier than standard framed art. For this reason, when preparing to pack this item it may require an extra hand or two to keep everything stable.
Again, ensure all six sides are protected and padded before packing into the custom mirror box.
Combining Artwork in Wardrobe Boxes
One creative and effective way to pack artwork less than 24″ wide, but larger than standard boxes, is to use a wardrobe box. This is one way to save money on boxes and still ensure your items are all packed.
Wardrobes can be used vertically, taped up and laid down, or even combined top and bottom, side by side, to create a large box for several pieces of art.
If possible, you should pack each item you own in their own custom boxes, but if you are on a DIY moving project and looking to save money, this method is useful.
Your clothing is a very soft and protective way to ensure your artwork is safe during transport. You should still wrap the art and pad the edges with bubble wrap or packing paper. You can add art to your current wardrobes or create a new box with one of the methods described.
How to pack art into wardrobes:
You can slide art on edge against all four sides of a wardrobe box.
– OR –
You can line them up face to face, on their edge, vertically with padding in between each piece.
If you are using a laid down wardrobe, you should be able to pack multiple rows of art side by side or one single row from end to end.
