Are you moving home? Do you have a number of treasured paintings, artwork or framed photos of your family that you’re afraid may get damaged if chucked into the back of any old moving van? Moving valuable artwork is a delicate process, and not one that should be handled with brute or clumsy hands. Ensuring that you take all the steps to keep your precious artwork safe is absolutely essential if you want them to arrive safely at your new home! In this article, we look at the art of moving artwork. Read on to find out more!
1. Packing Material Is Key!
According to expert removalists in Sydney, step 1, and the most important step of all, is to ensure you have the appropriate packing materials for your artwork. For smaller items, you will want to use medium sized boxes with solid bottoms. Ensure all your boxes are clean and dry, and avoid reusing old boxes that you may have lying around as they may not be as strong as brand new.
Larger paintings and pictures will require specialty boxes that are slightly bigger than what you are packing into it. Purchase specialty boxes from moving material providers, instead of purchasing random, generic moving boxes from any old store. Remember to purchase bubble wrap, packing tape and other materials that may be necessary to cushion your artwork. Last but not least, “fragile” stickers are essential to add an added layer of caution when someone picks up or shifts your boxes. Better to be safe than sorry, we say!
2. Wrapping Your Artwork
Before you put your artwork or paintings into their specialty boxes, it is advised that you wrap them up to protect them. You can do this with brown wrapping paper, and then double it up with bubble wrap. A rule of thumb is to use paper that is twice the size of your artwork, and to lay your frame glass side down on your wrapping paper. You then will just have to wrap your artwork up like a birthday present, secure the paper with packing tape and then finally wrap the entire thing in bubble wrap. This may seem like a lot of work, but this step is essential to ensure that any glass in your frame doesn’t end up shattering whilst being moved.
3. Time To Box It Up
Once your artwork is securely wrapped, it’s time to fit it into its specialty box. Always ensure you tape the bottom of the box securely before trying to fit any of your artwork into it. Stand your box, sealed side down, and gently slide your frame into it. You will want to do this slowly and carefully, and if you encounter any resistance, refrain from trying to just jam your artwork into the box. Make sure to seal your box with packaging tape once your artwork has been slid in, and then proceed to stick some fragile stickers on it to add an extra layer of caution when movers shift your boxes from one home to the next.
4. Into The Moving Van It Goes
Now the time has come to load your artwork into the moving van. If you are using professional movers, always ensure to let them know that they need to be very careful when loading their van with your items. You will want to keep your boxes on their side in the moving van, as opposed to flat. This is to ensure that your boxes absorb pressure easier, preventing any of your items from getting damaged.
5. Unload
Last but not least, when the time comes to unload the moving van, ensure that you are as cautious as you were when you were loading the van. Gently transport the artwork into your home and proceed with caution when unpacking!
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We hope that this article has been handy in giving you some tips on how you can go about safely moving your artwork from point A to point B.
