How to Keep Your Artwork Safe During a Move

July 1, 2018

Two movers wrapping a large cabinet in plastic in a room with boxes and a folding screen.

Whether you need to move a large collection of artwork or just a few prized pieces, you may fear that they will become damaged during the moving process. It would be disheartening to open a moving box that contains damaged artwork, especially if you own any one-of-a-kind paintings that are irreplaceable.

Luckily, when you take the right steps to package your artwork properly, you can look forward to it staying in great shape during the moving process. Read on to learn the steps to packing your artwork before moving to protect it from damage and how to prevent damage in the moving truck.

1. Protect Glass From Breakage

If you have artwork covered with glass, then of course, you need to take steps to keep the glass from breaking during transport. The first step is to cover the glass with painters tape. Painters tape will help protect the glass from breakage and, if the glass does break, it will hold the broken pieces of glass together so their sharp edges do not pierce your painting.

Do not use masking tape to perform this step. Painters tape has less adhesive on it that is less likely to remain on the glass after you remove the tape.

2. Cover Each Painting With a Layer of Glassine

Glassine is a special type of craft paper that can protect your paintings from grease, water, and even oil. Covering your paintings with a thick layer of glassine will protect them from many types of damage during shipping. If you prefer, you can cover your paintings with acid-free tissue paper instead, although it will not protect your paintings as well as glassine will.

3. Cover Each Painting with Palette Wrap

Next, wrap each painting very snugly with palette wrap, which is plastic wrap that is wound in a large roll and equipped with handles to make wrapping items easier. Palette wrap will protect your paintings from scratches and moisture damage. Wrap several layers of this plastic wrap around each painting to provide superior protection.

4. Place Artwork Between Two Layers of Cardboard

While your artwork will later be boxed, placing one layer of cardboard on each side of your paintings will further protect them from damage that could occur during the moving process. Cut cardboard pieces just a bit wider and taller than your paintings and tape them together with painters tape after placing them on your paintings.

5. Cover Paintings in Bubble Wrap

Once your paintings are covered in cardboard, the next step is to wrap them in bubble wrap. This will not only protect them against punctures and other types of damage that could occur if something heavy in the moving truck bumps into their boxes but also against fluctuations in temperature since the air in bubble wrap acts as insulation.

6. Pack Your Paintings in the Right Boxes

You don't want to choose just any old box to place your artwork in when packing it. You should pack artwork in mirror boxes, also called picture boxes. Unlike typical boxes, each mirror box set comes with four separate sections of cardboard. Each section is slid over one corner of your painting, protecting the corners of your painting from damage.

These boxes are also designed to hug your artwork securely, minimizing shifting during the moving process that could damage the pieces.

7. Pad Box Interiors

While your mirror boxes should fit snugly over your paintings, make sure you fill up any extra space with tissue paper or bubble wrap. The extra padding will keep paintings from shifting in their boxes during the moving process.

8. Seal Boxes with Strong Packing Tape

No matter how well you prepare your paintings for placement in their boxes, your paintings could become damaged if the packing tape you use breaks during transit and allows your painting and packing materials to spill out. Choose high-quality packing tape to secure your boxes with.

In addition, be sure to write the words "fragile" and "artwork" on the box of each piece of artwork, so anyone handling the boxes knows to handle them with care.

9. Place Boxes Upright Near the Moving Truck Floor

It is important to pack your paintings into the moving truck in an upright position, resting on the edges of their boxes. If you lay them flat, then any object in the truck that falls on them can easily damage not just one painting but potentially an entire stack of them.

If an object falls on the boxes when they are standing upright, the frames will protect the paintings from damage. Frames can typically be replaced much more easily and affordably than the artwork inside of them. In addition, be sure your art collection is placed near the bottom of the moving truck. Since heat rises, your artwork will have less of a chance of being damaged by heat.

Finally, choose a trustworthy moving company when transporting an art collection. Contact Redondo Van & Storage for all of your moving needs.

< Older Post Newer Post >

How to Pack and Wrap Specialty Items: A Guide from Your Local Moving Company

September 18, 2026

Some belongings just can't be tossed in a box with a handful of newspaper and called "packed." Grand pianos, fine art, antique furniture, wine collections, aquariums, and other specialty items need a different level of care — the kind that comes from decades of hands-on experience, not a YouTube tutorial the night before your move. At Redondo Van & Storage , we've been the trusted local moving company for Redondo Beach and the South Bay since 1919. Over more than a century in business, our team has packed, wrapped, and safely transported just about everything a home or business can own. Below, we're sharing our best tips for protecting specialty items — along with a reminder that when it's time to move, our residential moving company is only a phone call away. Why Specialty Items Need Special Attention Standard moving boxes and bubble wrap are great for dishes and books, but they fall short when it comes to items that are: Fragile or delicate — glassware, china, mirrors, and artwork Oddly shaped — chandeliers, lamps, sculptures, and musical instruments Heavy and awkward — pianos, safes, pool tables, and marble tabletops Sentimental or irreplaceable — family heirlooms, antiques, and collectibles High-value — jewelry, fine art, and electronics A single scratch, dent, or crack can turn an exciting move into a heartbreaking one. That's why our team treats every specialty item like it's the only one that matters — because to you, it is. Tips for Packing Specialty Items the Right Way 1. Use the Right Materials Cardboard and old towels won't cut it for your grandmother's china cabinet. Specialty items call for specialty supplies: foam padding, corner protectors, custom crates, moving blankets, and acid-free packing paper for artwork and photographs. These materials cushion against shock and prevent scratches, moisture damage, and shifting during transport. 2. Disassemble When Possible Large or complex items — think bed frames, dining tables, or electronics with detachable cords — travel much more safely when broken down into smaller pieces. Keep hardware bagged and labeled so reassembly at your new home is quick and painless. 3. Wrap in Layers Fragile and valuable items benefit from a layered approach: a soft inner layer (packing paper or foam) to prevent surface scratches, followed by a cushioning layer (bubble wrap or blankets) to absorb shock, and finally a sturdy outer layer (a well-built box or crate) to protect against pressure and impact. 4. Label Everything Clearly "Fragile" isn't enough on its own. Note which side is up, whether an item is climate-sensitive, and which room it belongs in at your new home. Clear labeling helps movers handle each piece appropriately from the truck to your front door. 5. Consider Custom Crating for High-Value Pieces Some items — fine art, marble statues, antique mirrors, and musical instruments — deserve custom-built wooden crates designed to their exact dimensions. This is where an experienced residential moving company makes all the difference. Our team can build and fit crates specifically for your most valuable belongings before moving day even begins. 6. Don't Forget Climate and Timing Certain specialty items, like wine collections, electronics, and wood furniture, are sensitive to temperature and humidity. If your move involves a stop in storage , make sure the facility can accommodate any special climate needs before your items arrive. Leave It to the Professionals Packing specialty items is one of those tasks that looks simple until you're staring down a 500-pound safe or a chandelier with more crystal pieces than you can count. Our full-service packing team has spent generations perfecting the art of wrapping, crating, loading, and unloading items of every shape, size, and value. Whether you're a homeowner in Redondo Beach or searching for a trusted moving company Rolling Hills Estates CA families rely on, our movers Rolling Hills Estates CA and throughout the South Bay bring the same white-glove care to every job — from a single antique dresser to a full estate. Why Choose Redondo Van & Storage Over 100 years of experience serving the Redondo Beach and South Bay community Voted South Bay's Best Moving Company six years running Recognized by USA Today as one of America's Best Moving Companies Full-service packing, wrapping, crating, and storage solutions Locally owned and operated — we treat your belongings like our own As a trusted local moving company and residential moving services provider, we know that specialty items deserve specialty care. Don't risk damaging your most valuable belongings with a rushed packing job — let our experienced team handle it from start to finish. Ready to move? Call Redondo Van & Storage today at (310) 376-7919 or request a free quote online for expert packing, wrapping, and moving services in Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills Estates, and throughout the South Bay.