Don’t Break Your Fine China When You Move: Pack It This Way!

Sure, we all have our favorite coffee mug or a bowl we specifically eat from when we’re not feeling too good. However, when the conversation is about fine china, then it becomes an entirely different setting altogether. That’s largely because fine china is usually an heirloom passed down from generation to generation or, at the very least, acquired during important, life-changing situations.

If you’re moving, then you’re probably looking at packing the precious items soon. A good rule of thumb is that more packing material is definitely better than less. Read on to learn how to pack your fine china so that it doesn’t break when you move:

Designate a Space for You to Work In, Supplies and All

Have you ever watched a cooking show and marveled at the ease with which the chef just adds to the recipe as the process goes along? A lot of that involved prep work and already having the necessary ingredients on hand. The same principle should apply to you as you begin preparations for packing your fine china.

Make sure you have all the supplies you need already, like scissors, packing tape, packing tissue or paper, bubble wrap, and-of course-the boxes. If there’s a whole slew of fine china to be packed, you might want to consider enlisting the help of family and/or friends. Create a full-on assembly line if you can help it, which will make things much easier all around.

Pre-cut Your Packing Paper by Sizes

Packing paper should be cut into several sheets by size beforehand. Each type of dish will need its own packing paper fit to size. How will you know if it’s the right fit? Make sure all sides of the fine china are covered well. Pre-cutting paper saves time and actually saves paper as well. This will make the packing far more efficient in the long run. Particularly fragile china that’s pricey, aged, and/or both will need more than packing paper. In those cases, the safest bet is to use bubble wrap instead.

Wrap the Plates or Dishes Individually

Fine china plates, in particular, will require cautious attention. The standard way of packing dishes (stack and wrap all at once) will not be safe or helpful for fine china. Wrapping them one by one should start with having the plate face down on the packing paper. Each corner should then be folded inwards, with a seal of sorts in the middle by the paper being bunched together there. A piece of packing tape can help to keep packing tissue secure. 

Make Sure Bowls and Cups Have Packing Paper in Them

Pack teacups and bowls by putting them in the middle of the packing paper. Each corner should be folded into the center of the cup or bowl. When that’s done, a crumpled piece of paper in a ball can go a long way. It will serve as padding in the opening of the bowl or cup.

Conclusion

Packing fine china requires more attention than normal dishware does. This is because these items are fragile, and they’re usually heirlooms. The best way to pack includes designating a space to work in, pre-cutting packing paper by size beforehand, and wrapping the dishes individually. 

Looking for a shipping service you can entrust your fragile heirlooms to? Reach out to 1 Stop Pack n Ship today! We’re a full-service shipping center offering both domestic and international shipping. Door-to-door service is available in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and Washington DC!