Too often we hear of artwork that is torn to shreds by broken glass or a painting that was pierced through by a floor lamp in the back of a moving truck. While it is impossible to protect against every possible accident, there are several things you can do to prevent most of them. 

1. Label as Fragile: When you pack art, you need to mark it all as fragile. While this may seem obvious for anything with a glass front, it is even more necessary for art on canvas. Canvas pieces are lightweight and lack a glass cover, but this actually makes them more vulnerable in a move. Canvas can dent if it is bumped or, worse, it can be punctured. While both can be repaired, it can be very expensive and the whole situation could have been avoided if proper attention was given. Simply sandwich canvas art between two pieces of cardboard and secure tightly. The cardboard will absorb any blows and your art will survive the move. 

2. Mark Which Way is Up: Once wrapped, art needs to be marked as to which way is up. It doesn't matter on an inexpensive poster, but with limited edition art it is imperative to do so. Posters and anything with little value to collectors is sprayed with an adhesive and permanently mounted to a backing board. Limited edition and original art pieces are framed with archival methods. In this case, they are hung from inside the matting with acid-free tape that will not harm the art. If it is stored upside-down the tape could break and the art could be damaged. 

3. Tape the Glass: One of the simplest and easiest steps anyone can do to protect their framed artwork is to put a huge 'X' of packaging tape from one corner of the frame to the other, right on the glass. This will not prevent the glass from breaking, but it will prevent the broken pieces from moving around and scratching your artwork. Glass can be replaced. The art is was protesting usually can't be. 

4. Wrap Well: Framed art should be wrapped well. Use bubble wrap if you have it but, if you don't, improvise. Any large quilt, comforter, blanket, or even beach towel can do the job of bubble wrap. Just wrap the art in the blanket and use packaging tape to secure it tightly. The tape can be removed easily when you arrive at your destination and the adhesive residue will wash off your blanket in the washing machine. You can also rent mover's blankets when you run out of your own.

5. Stand to Transport: When you load your well-wrapped and well-protected art into the moving truck, be sure to stand everything upright. Frames are fragile. Lying them on top of each other can crush the bottom frame. Likewise, when you lean them against each, be sure to place them back-to-back so one frame's hanging hardware will not dent the next's frame. 

Art can survive the moving experience if you take the necessary precautions to protect it. Luckily, this just takes a little time and forethought. Contact a moving service, like Maher Brothers Transfer & Storage, for more help.

Share