How to Pack Artwork for Moving: Protecting Paintings, Prints, and Sculptures

Art is one of the most challenging categories to pack for a move. Unlike dishes or electronics, artwork often has high value that is simultaneously financial and irreplaceable. A broken plate can be replaced. A damaged original oil painting, a cracked bronze sculpture, or a bent limited-edition print may be permanently compromised.

The standard of care LuxeMove applies to art packing is correspondingly higher than for most household items. Whether you're moving a small collection of framed prints or a significant assemblage of original works, the principles in this guide will help you protect every piece.

Understanding What You're Protecting

Before discussing technique, it's worth categorizing the types of artwork you may be moving, because each presents different vulnerabilities:

Framed works (paintings, prints, photographs under glass):

• Vulnerability: glass breakage, frame damage, pressure to the surface
• Primary risk: anything contacting the glass face or the back of the canvas

Unframed canvases:

• Vulnerability: puncture, bending, moisture, contact damage to the painted surface
• Primary risk: anything touching the painted surface

Works on paper (drawings, watercolors, prints, photographs):

• Vulnerability: tearing, bending, moisture, light exposure
• Primary risk: humidity and physical pressure

Three-dimensional works (sculptures, ceramics, glass art):

• Vulnerability: impact, vibration, pressure at any point
• Primary risk: contact with hard surfaces during transit

Photography (framed or unframed):

• Vulnerability: glass breakage (framed), moisture damage, UV exposure
• Primary risk: standard fragile risks plus moisture

Supplies for Packing Artwork

The right supplies make the difference between professional protection and improvised risk:

• Mirror/picture boxes: Two-piece telescoping boxes that accommodate virtually any frame size from small prints to oversized canvases. Available at moving supply stores and from LuxeMove directly.
• Glassine paper: Acid-free, smooth paper used to protect artwork surfaces — particularly oil paintings, works on paper, and anything where contact damage is a concern.
• Bubble wrap: For wrapping frames, sculptures, and three-dimensional pieces.
• Corner protectors: Pre-made foam or cardboard corner protectors for frames and canvases. Critical for protecting the most vulnerable parts of any framed work.
• Foam padding: High-density foam panels for lining boxes and creating custom protection around sculptures.
• Stretch wrap: For bundling, secondary wrapping, and securing padding in place.
• Packing tape and acid-free tape: Acid-free tape for surfaces that might contact artwork.
• Permanent marker for labeling.

For particularly valuable or fragile pieces, custom wooden crating provides the highest level of protection. LuxeMove builds custom crates for museum-quality pieces, large canvases, and sculptures that cannot be adequately protected with standard box packing.

How to Pack Framed Artwork and Mirrors

Framed works are the most common type of art that moves with a household, and mirror boxes make the job manageable.

Step 1: Clean the Glass (Gently)

If the piece is behind glass, clean any fingerprints from the glass surface before packing. Never use harsh cleaners — a dry microfiber cloth is sufficient.

Step 2: Protect the Glass Surface

Cut a piece of masking tape or painter's tape and apply it in an X pattern across the glass face of the frame. This doesn't prevent glass breakage, but it keeps shards together if the glass does break — protecting the artwork beneath.

For very valuable pieces, remove the glass from the frame before packing (store glass separately) and protect the work itself with glassine paper against the surface.

Step 3: Wrap in Bubble Wrap

Place the framed piece face-down on a clean, flat surface covered with bubble wrap. Wrap the entire frame in a layer of bubble wrap, securing with tape. Pay particular attention to the corners.

Step 4: Apply Corner Protectors

Slide foam or cardboard corner protectors onto each corner of the frame over the bubble wrap. Corners are the most vulnerable point on any framed piece.

Step 5: Place in a Mirror/Picture Box

Mirror boxes are two-piece: a base piece and a telescoping top piece. Assemble the base, slide the wrapped piece inside, and extend the top piece to fit snugly. The box should fit the piece without significant empty space.

Step 6: Fill Any Gaps

If there is space between the wrapped piece and the box walls, fill with additional crumpled paper or foam padding. The piece should not be able to shift inside the box.

Step 7: Label Prominently

Write "FRAGILE — ARTWORK — DO NOT STACK" on all four sides and the top of the box. Add "THIS SIDE UP" with an arrow.

How to Pack Unframed Canvases

Unframed stretched canvases are among the most vulnerable pieces to pack. The primary dangers are puncture from any protruding object and pressure from the front or back.

For Small to Medium Canvases

1. Place a sheet of glassine paper flat against the painted surface — never let anything else touch it directly.
2. Place a sheet of acid-free cardboard or foam-core board against the glassine paper to create a rigid protective front face.
3. Wrap the entire canvas in bubble wrap, protecting especially the corners.
4. Pack in a flat box or mirror box appropriate to the size, with foam padding between the canvas and the box walls.

For Large or Oversized Canvases

Large canvases generally cannot be adequately protected in standard boxes. Options:

• Custom wooden crating (the most secure method for any high-value canvas)
• Specialist art transport services
• Transport in a climate-controlled vehicle with dedicated padding

LuxeMove offers custom crating and specialty art transport for oversized works. If you have canvases over 40 inches in any dimension, ask about this service when contacting us.

How to Pack Works on Paper

Works on paper — watercolors, drawings, prints, photographs — are particularly vulnerable to moisture and physical pressure.

1. Handle with clean cotton gloves or very clean hands.
2. Layer glassine paper on both sides of each work.
3. Place between two rigid sheets of foam-core or museum board.
4. Secure the sandwich with tape on the edges (not touching the artwork).
5. Place multiple sandwiched works together in a flat box with foam or crumpled paper fill.
6. Store flat, not vertical, and keep out of areas of the home prone to humidity changes during the packing period.

How to Pack Sculptures and Three-Dimensional Artwork

Sculptures require custom packing approaches because no two pieces share the same shape or vulnerability points.

The General Method

1. Assess the sculpture's most vulnerable points: thin extensions, protruding elements, fragile bases.
2. Wrap delicate extensions first in bubble wrap, secured with tape.
3. Wrap the entire sculpture in multiple layers of bubble wrap.
4. Place in a box that is sized appropriately — the sculpture should have at least 4 inches of padding on all sides.
5. Fill all box space with high-density foam or crumpled paper to prevent any movement.
6. Double-box for very fragile sculptures: inner box packed and sealed, outer box with foam fill around the inner box.

Ceramic and Glass Sculpture

Ceramic and glass works should be double-boxed without exception. The inner box provides primary protection; the outer box ensures there is no possibility of impact reaching the piece.

Bronze and Metal Sculpture

Metal sculpture is generally durable, but surface finish can be scratched. Wrap in soft foam or bubble wrap before any harder materials contact the surface. Protect any patinated or polished surface from contact.

Temperature and Humidity Considerations

Artwork is sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. For most local moves in Los Angeles, this isn't a primary concern — but it's worth keeping in mind:

• Don't leave artwork in a hot car or an unconditioned truck for extended periods.
• For multi-day moves or cross-country relocation, climate-controlled transport is strongly recommended for original artwork.
• If artwork is being moved into or out of storage, ensure the storage facility is climate-controlled.

LuxeMove offers climate-controlled transport for high-value art collections — ask about this when planning your move.

Insurance for Artwork During a Move

Standard moving insurance (released value protection at $0.60 per pound) provides almost no meaningful compensation for artwork. An oil painting weighing 10 pounds is covered for $6.00 — regardless of its actual value.

For any artwork with significant financial value:

• Declare your art's value in advance with your moving company
• Consider scheduling your artwork under your homeowner's or renter's insurance for moving coverage
• Ask your art insurer about transit coverage
• For museum-quality pieces, speak with a specialist art insurance broker

LuxeMove can advise on declared value options and the appropriate level of care for your collection. Visit our services page for more on specialty moving and high-value transport options.

When to Use Professional Art Movers

For any artwork of meaningful financial or sentimental value, professional art packing is worth the investment. LuxeMove's team is trained in the packing and handling of fine art, and we regularly work with LA-based art collectors, galleries, and designers on moves involving original works, sculpture collections, and high-value photography.

If you have art you're concerned about, contact LuxeMove before your move date. We'll assess the pieces, recommend the right level of protection, and ensure your collection arrives at your new home exactly as it left.