How to Protect Paintings During a Move: Essential Tips for Safe Transport
The fragility of a painting—its canvas, frame, and delicate surface—demands expert handling during relocation. Whether you have contemporary oils or historic watercolours, mastering Art Packing techniques is non-negotiable for a Fine Art Removal service. This guide provides Tips for safely transporting paintings and fragile artwork , empowering you to Avoid damage with professional guidance.
The Critical Steps to Protect Paintings Moving
Before a painting is even wrapped, assess its unique needs. Is the frame delicate? Is the paint still recent? Protect Paintings Moving successfully by following these vital steps:
- Never Touch the Surface: Oils and prints are highly sensitive. Only handle the painting by the sides of the frame.
- Archival Layering: The first layer should always be glassine paper (not plastic wrap or bubble wrap, which can adhere to the paint surface). This protects against abrasion.
- Cross-Taping Glass: For framed works with glass, apply masking tape in a large ‘X’ across the glass. This simple step can prevent shattered shards from damaging the artwork if the glass breaks.
Mastering Art Packing Techniques
For Fragile Artwork Transport, simple bubble wrap is often not enough. We recommend a multi-layered approach to ensure absolute security during a Fine Art Removal:
- Custom Cushioning: After the initial glassine layer, use a generous layer of foam or bubble wrap, securing it tightly with packing tape around the frame.
- Box Selection: For small pieces, use a double-walled moving box with internal foam dividers to keep the item centered and away from the box walls.
- Crush-Proof Crating: For valuable or oversized pieces, wooden crating is essential. The crate should be slightly larger than the painting, allowing 3-4 inches of space on all sides to be filled with shock-absorbing foam or specialised pellets.
Securing Your Fragile Artwork Transport
Once packed, how the painting is loaded onto the truck is paramount. A professional Artwork Moving service will ensure:
- Vertical Loading: Paintings must be transported vertically, not laid flat. Laying a painting flat puts pressure on the canvas and risks crushing during Art Transportation.
- Strapping and Padding: The packed artworks are tightly secured to the truck walls using soft, non-abrasive straps and surrounded by dense padding to prevent any movement from the start of the Fine Art Removal to the finish.
The Importance of Professional Fine Art Removal
While these Art Packing tips will help you prepare, Hiring Professional Artwork Movers guarantees peace of mind. Our team, experienced in Fragile Artwork Transport, ensures that every precaution is taken during moving and storage, leveraging decades of knowledge to prevent the unforeseen. Avoid damage by trusting experts with your collection. Reach out today!