Moving homes or offices can sometimes be a stressful and overwhelming task, with one part of the process requiring a bit of extra care: moving your artwork! Whether you’re relocating to a new home or getting ready to set up shop in a new office space, your artwork is something you want to protect. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other important pieces of your art deserve to be kept secure. So, how can you ensure your artwork makes it to its new destination safe and sound? Here are a few helpful tips to make the process as smooth as possible!

Plan and Gather Supplies

Before you begin moving your priceless artwork, take a moment to decide the best action plan. A few factors might contribute to how you handle this process. Ask yourself: What art is most important to bring along? How far will the art have to travel? Should I declutter beforehand? Are there pieces that I can take with me now?

Gather all the necessary packing supplies once you’ve determined what art will live in your new place. We recommend selecting:

• Picture boxes
• Protective wrapping (bubble or packing paper)
• Corner protectors
• Stretch wrap
• Painters tape
• Markers
• Moving blankets

Having all of these art packing supplies on hand makes for a more straightforward packing process. Create a plan for how and when the art will be packed and stored. This will help maintain their safety, especially if you plan to move various items.

Protect Fragile Items Securely

Now, it’s time to start carefully packing your artwork. No matter how carefully you take this process, art can still be at risk for damage throughout the moving process. It’s best to take extra precautions while packing to stack the deck in your favor.

For items in frames or with sharp corners, add corner protectors. This will keep the edges of your art looking as good as the day you brought them home and protect the artwork from each other. Corner protectors reduce the risk of accidental scratches or punctures.

Additionally, frames should be secured with a large “X” of painter’s tape from corner to corner of the glass. This “X” secures the glass, giving it extra support. In the unfortunate event that the glass would break, there is a better chance of it staying with the taped “X,” which protects other artwork from possible damage.

Lastly, plenty of packing material and boxes should be added where necessary to keep the artwork from shifting during a move. This padding and extra security will keep your art safe in place whether you’re moving across town or the country. Label all pieces, boxes, and other packing materials with “Fragile” or “Glass” when necessary. This helps potential movers know which items need to be handled with extra care.

Avoid Rushing and Unpack Thoughtfully

Do not rush through the unpacking process once you arrive at your new space. Take your time to unpack and organize your art carefully, just as you did while packing. As you remove protective coverings, check each piece for any damage before displaying it. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may consider not keeping the piece; however, with these tips, you shouldn’t face unbearable issues.

Moving artwork is one of those tasks that requires a little extra TLC, but with some planning and the right supplies, you can sit back and relax while watching your new space come to life with your protected artwork. Taking the time to secure your pieces ensures they will continue to bring beauty into your home or office, no matter where it’s located. And, if you’re still struggling to move your art safely, Mesa is happy to help!