How to Pack Fragile Items for Moving: Expert Packing Guide

Broken belongings are every mover's worst nightmare. The good news is that with the right materials and techniques, you can protect even the most delicate items during your move. Here's how the professionals do it.

Essential Packing Materials

Before you start wrapping, gather these supplies:

• Sturdy double-walled boxes — standard cardboard crushes under pressure.
• Bubble wrap — the large-bubble variety is best for fragile items.
• Packing paper — acid-free tissue or plain newsprint (avoid printed newspaper as ink can transfer).
• Packing tape — at least 50mm wide, heavy-duty.
• Foam sheets or blankets — for large items like mirrors and TVs.
• Marker pens — label every box "FRAGILE" on multiple sides.

Packing Glassware and Crockery

Glasses, wine glasses, and mugs break most often because people underestimate how much padding they need.

1. Stuff the insides. Scrunch packing paper and push it into the cavity of each glass or mug.
2. Wrap individually. Place the item on a sheet of packing paper, fold the corners over, and roll tightly.
3. Use cell dividers. If you have them, cardboard dividers (like bottle boxes) keep glasses separated.
4. Pack upright. Glasses are strongest when standing on their base, never on their rim.
5. Fill all gaps. Use scrunched paper or bubble wrap to eliminate movement inside the box.

Packing Mirrors and Picture Frames

Large glass surfaces need special attention:

• Create an X with masking tape across the glass. If it does crack, the tape holds the shards in place.
• Wrap in bubble wrap, then in a moving blanket for double protection.
• Use a mirror box or telescopic picture box. These are specifically designed for flat, fragile items.
• Never lay mirrors flat in the van. Transport them upright, secured between soft items.

Packing Electronics

TVs, monitors, and computers are expensive to replace.

• Use original boxes if you still have them — they're designed to fit perfectly.
• Wrap screens in foam sheets, then in moving blankets.
• Photograph cable setups before disconnecting so you can reassemble easily.
• Remove ink cartridges from printers and pack them separately in sealed bags.

Packing Artwork and Antiques

For high-value or irreplaceable items:

• Consider custom crating for valuable artwork. Our packing teams can build bespoke crates.
• Wrap sculptures in multiple layers of bubble wrap, secured with tape.
• Use acid-free tissue for oil paintings — never let bubble wrap touch the painted surface directly.

Pro Tips from Our Packing Team

• Heavy items in small boxes, light items in large boxes. A big box full of books is impossible to lift.
• The scrunch test: Drop a packed box from waist height. If you hear movement or clinking, add more padding.
• Label on all sides. Boxes get stacked and rotated — one label isn't enough.

Need professional packing help? Tanoli Moving offers a full packing service where our trained team handles everything, from wrapping china to crating artwork. Get a free quote today.