How to Pack Fragile Items Safely
Expert packing techniques to keep your delicate and valuable items safe during transit.
Breakable items account for the majority of moving-day damage, yet most of these mishaps are entirely preventable with the right materials and techniques. Whether you are packing grandmother’s china or a flat-screen television, the principles of safe packing remain consistent: cushion, immobilize, and label.
Choosing the Right Materials
Invest in quality packing materials rather than relying on old newspaper, which can leave ink stains on delicate surfaces. Acid-free packing paper, bubble wrap, foam pouches, and dish-pack boxes with cell dividers are your best allies. Double-walled corrugated boxes provide significantly more crush resistance than standard single-wall options, making them worth the modest extra cost for your most valuable items.
Packing peanuts and crumpled paper work well for filling voids inside boxes, but avoid using them as the sole cushioning layer. They shift during transit and can leave fragile items exposed to impact. Instead, use them as supplementary filler after wrapping each piece individually.
Wrapping Techniques for Common Items
For plates and bowls, wrap each piece individually in packing paper, then stack them vertically in a dish-pack box, much like records in a crate. Vertical stacking distributes pressure more evenly than laying plates flat. Place crumpled paper between layers and fill any remaining gaps so nothing shifts when the box is tilted or jostled.
Glasses and stemware require extra attention. Stuff the interior of each glass with crumpled paper, then wrap the entire piece in bubble wrap, securing it with tape. Place each wrapped glass upside down in a cell divider, and never stack glasses on top of one another without a rigid separator between layers.
Electronics and Artwork
Flat-screen televisions and monitors should ideally be transported in their original packaging. If that is not available, wrap the screen in a soft blanket, then sandwich it between two pieces of rigid cardboard slightly larger than the screen. Secure the assembly with stretch wrap and mark the box “FRAGILE — THIS SIDE UP” on every surface.
For framed artwork and mirrors, create a tape X across the glass surface to minimize shattering. Wrap the piece in bubble wrap, then slide it into a telescoping picture box. Fill any remaining space with foam corner protectors or crumpled paper to prevent movement.
Loading and Labeling
Place fragile boxes on top of heavier, sturdier items in the truck, never at the bottom of a stack. Mark each box with “FRAGILE” on all sides and the top, and add arrows indicating which end should face up. When your movers or helpers can clearly see these labels, they instinctively handle the boxes with greater care, significantly reducing the chance of damage during loading and unloading.