Effective Ways to Keep Your Fine Art Safe While Moving

Special pieces such as fine art require delicate care, especially while moving. They are the ones that should have a fragile tag because one wrong move might damage or destroy them. If you think a bubble wrap can save them, think twice because you might end up having broken pieces once you’ve reached your destination. 

You can prevent damages to your valuables and delicate belongings using our guide below. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing that your fine art will be safe during travel. Keep reading to find out effective ways to get yourself ready for moving day: 

Double Insure Your Fine Art Collection 

Since you’ve probably insured your collections right after you bought them, it’s recommended that you purchase extra insurance before your moving-out day. The insurance you currently have may not cover accidental damage or loss during the move. To make sure, having additional insurance that covers any accidents on the way to your new home is better. 

Use Appropriate Packing Materials

The safety of your fine art collection will highly depend on how you pack them. If you don’t want any regrets because you packed them wrongly, you must use appropriate packing materials. Packing peanuts and cardboard boxes are not enough to keep them from getting damaged. There are available packing materials that you can purchase specifically for fragile items. For starters, here’s a checklist of the materials you must have before you begin packing: 

• Artist tape and tape gun
• Foam boards
• Cardboard corners
• Glassine paper
• Bubble wrap
• Foam boards
• Different sizes of crates or boxes
• Tissue paper or other paper for fillers
• Knife or scissors
• Gloves

Secure Your Fine Art Using the Best Packing Practices

Of course, having the appropriate materials will still not be enough. You still need to ensure that they’re intact through the manner of packing. Here are some of the best practices you can follow with the materials you’ve collected: 

• Wear Gloves – To ensure that your fine art, such as paintings, will not have any fingerprints on them, wear gloves while you’re holding them. Touching them with your bare hands may cause discoloration because of the oil from your hands. 
• Use Acid-Free Paper or Glassine for Your Artwork – Acid-free paper or glassine will serve as your artwork’s barrier from any potential damage during transit. This material is ideal for painting because it’s air-, water-, and grease-resistant. 
• Cover the Corners of Your Artwork with Cardboards – Covering the corner of your artwork will protect them from bumps.
• Add Layers of Bubble Wrap – Bubble wrap is a great addition to ensure that your fine art is safe. However, make sure to add the layers after putting the glassine and cardboard.
• Ensure There’s No Gap Inside Your Boxes – Removing any space inside the box will hold your items in place. This way, they will not move during transit, preventing them from incurring any scratches or damage. 

Conclusion

Prevent causing damage to your precious pieces using our guide. Your moving-out journey doesn’t have to be frustrating. As long as you know what to do and have everything you need, the process will be more manageable. You can also have peace of mind when you work with a professional shipping company because you can ensure that they will treat your belongings, including fine art, with extreme care.

If you are looking for the best packing and shipping company in Washington, DC, 1 Stop Pack n Ship is here to help! We offer fine art shipping services, providing the proper packing and crating methods for your paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts. Get in touch with us to book our services!