Moving Your Artwork

Are you preparing for an upcoming household move? The chances are good that you have some prints and framed artwork that you will need to prepare and pack. Packing artwork and prints can be tricky. You need to start with the proper moving supplies to get the job done right and avoid damage to your fragile pieces. 

Continue reading to find out how to pack artwork for moving so you can take it with you and display it in your new home. 

Artwork Packing Checklist

To get your art pieces, prints, and framed photos to your new home safely, you will need to protect them before packing them on the moving truck. 

Here are some supplies you’ll need.

Supplies Needed

  • Flat picture box or specialty moving box
  • Corner protectors
  • Packing paper
  • Bubble wrap
  • Acid-free paper
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Painter’s Tape
  • Packing tape
  • Markers and Labels

Avoid Using

  • Non-archival quality tissue paper for wrapping fine artwork
  • Styrofoam peanuts
  • Second-hand filler (newspaper, plastic bags, etc.)
  • Garbage bin bags

Keep reading for tips on packing framed artwork and wall art. You may need different supplies depending on the style of your art pieces.

Inventory Your Art

From ceramics to crystal, and prints to paintings, create an inventory of your art. Cataloging your art, including photos, will help you keep track of everything and, in case of any issues, have the information you need for any claims.

Packing Artwork

There are many different types of art. Following are some ways to pack them. Follow these basic ideas for other artwork as well.

Preparing Framed Artwork

If your artwork is framed, you can keep it in the frame.

If your artwork doesn’t have a glass face, Wrap it in acid-free paper and then with plastic wrap to protect it from moisture. Do not use newspaper as packing material for exposed artwork because the ink can transfer. Place protective corners over the plastic wrap to protect the frame’s edges.

Use bubble wrap as cushioning between the pieces. Place several layers of bubble wrap horizontally and vertically, then carefully tape it to secure it in place (do not tape the artwork or frame itself.) 

Next, add padding like crumpled packing paper in a sturdy box to keep the art from shifting around. Also, add packing paper to the sides so that the art is secure in the box. 

Packing Loose Artwork

For items not in frames or on canvas, use acid-free paper to wrap them around the piece. Use acid-free tape to secure the acid-free paper to itself. Place the art between two foam core boards bigger than the wrapped artwork, using painter’s tape to keep it from sliding around. 

Put them in the moving box, making sure the pieces are cushioned with packing paper. The cushioning should be on all sides, the top, and the bottom of the box. This will absorb shocks from inadvertent bumps and drops.

Storing Artwork

How to pack art for moving: Packing artwork for long-term storage

When packing artwork for moving and long-term storage at storage space, ensure that the storage facility offers the necessary conditions to ensure that the paint, frame, or canvas works will not be damaged. A storage space that isn’t climate controlled appropriately can cause damage to paint and canvases.

When looking for a space to store your artwork, ensure there won’t be any significant temperature changes inside. Ideally, your storage solution will also reduce humidity and moisture levels since dampness can damage canvases and paper. Also, ensure that artwork is stored in a space without direct sunlight.

Packing Artwork for Moving

Prepare your artwork correctly for moving — it’s worth the time. Having the proper supplies and hand is essential. 

Finding the ideal mover is also essential and they can help you prepare, pack and move all of your artwork safely. Contact us today for a free quote.

Looking to move from a northern state to Tampa, FL?

Tampa, Florida, is situated on the Gulf Coast and provides residents with access to wildlife, sports, and nightlife that is unique. For someone from the northern United States moving to Tampa, Florida, you may be aware of some of these things, but others might surprise you.

We’ll start off with some more obvious things you can look forward to:

1. Warm Weather: Tampa’s year-round warm weather is a stark contrast to the colder climate of the northern states. Even during the winter months, Tampa experiences mild temperatures, making it an attractive destination for those seeking to escape the snow and freezing temperatures up north.

2. Abundance of Beaches: Tampa is known for its stunning beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. New residents might be surprised by the sheer number of beautiful sandy beaches in the area, such as Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach, with their crystal-clear waters and breathtaking sunsets.

Now, on to some things you may not know about. 

3. Unique Wildlife: Tampa is home to an array of unique wildlife that might not be found in the northern states. The region is known for its alligators, which can be spotted in the swamps and marshes surrounding the city. Additionally, Tampa is a popular spot for birdwatching, as many migratory birds pass through the area.

4. Cuban Influence: Tampa has a significant Cuban influence, which can be seen in its architecture, cuisine, and cultural events. Ybor City, a historic neighborhood in Tampa, was once a thriving cigar-manufacturing hub and is still known for its Cuban and Latin American heritage. The presence of Cuban sandwiches, pastries, and strong coffee might surprise those from the northern states.

5. Thunderstorms and Lightning: Tampa is located in an area known as the “Lightning Capital of the United States.” The region experiences frequent thunderstorms and lightning strikes, which might be surprising to someone from the north who is not accustomed to such weather patterns.

6. Sports Culture: Tampa has a vibrant sports culture and is home to several professional sports teams, including the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, and the MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays. The enthusiasm and fervor surrounding these teams, as well as the city’s passion for sports, might be unexpected to someone from the northern states.

Living in the Tampa area provides a unique experience of nature and culture. If you are moving to Florida, contact Community Mover to get a free moving quote!

Get To Know Household Appliances and Equipment

We infrequently need to work on our homes’ plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, and other household appliances and equipment. When we move, we tend not to take the time to learn about these systems in the new home before we move in. Usually, if the home inspector tells us everything is in working order, that’s the end of the conversation.

A Good Home Inspector

A home inspector looks at a home’s structure and mechanical systems to provide you with a clear picture of their state. Along with the assessment, the inspector should be able to provide some direction for needed repairs and updates. 

As the home buyer, you should accompany the inspector, ask questions and take notes on where things are located. A good inspector will take the time to answer any questions, provide insights that you might not have thought to ask about and provide a detailed report.

Equipment Owner’s Guide

An owner’s guide is important for maintaining and performing minor repairs to household mechanical systems. If the previous owner does not have the guides, obtain the equipment’s brand, model number, and manufacture date. Most brands have owner’s guides available online in PDF format that you can look up. Review these and familiarize yourself with the basic functions of the equipment.

Perform an online search for user reviews and recalls. What you find can help you prepare for potential equipment issues. It is common for people to ignore or not be aware of product recalls.

Local Ordinances

For most municipalities, there are local ordinances regarding household mechanical systems. While local contractors should be well-versed in these, homeowners who plan to make any changes will benefit from becoming familiar with them as well.

Things like replacing a water heater may not require an inspection, but relocating it (even by a little) may. These nuances can trip up homeowners and yet are easily avoided with a little research.

How Different Can It Be?

If you are new to home buying, the household mechanics are also new. But, if you’ve lived in a single-family home for a while, you may feel as though you already have a handle on it and can deal with the systems after you move. 

Let’s start with a simple thing. Heating, ventilation & Air conditioning (HVAC system) control panels are incorporated into the household thermostat. Most thermostats have a “fan only” setting. But, if the HVAC system is not wired for “fan only,” that setting has no effect. This can be different between two houses in the same neighborhood as well as across the country.

Different parts of the country can have different systems. For example, heat may be supplied electronically or via natural gas or oil. Each method has requirements. Moving from the southwest to the northeast can present unfamiliar mechanical systems.

Moving from the northern states to Florida means experiencing mechanical systems that are installed in very different locations. In the north, everything is well insulated indoors to protect from the cold. In southern states like Florida, there are more options for installing and maintaining systems. 

If you are moving long-distance and cannot be present with the home inspector, you should request photos of the mechanical systems and where they are located. You should inspect these systems yourself at the earliest possible time to become familiar with where they are and their accessibility. Don’t wait until there is an issue to determine where they are and how to get to them.

Ready to make a move? Contact us for a free moving estimate.