--- title: How to Pack Artwork for a Move: Frames, Canvas, Glass url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-artwork/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to pack artwork # How to pack artwork for a move Framed artwork is packed upright, in a box that matches its size, with the face protected and the corners padded. Three layers go on every piece: a clean wrap against the surface, padding around the frame, and a rigid outer shell. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) A framed picture has a fragile face, brittle corners and often a heavy frame. Each of those weak points needs its own protection, and the box has to be rigid enough that nothing presses on the face. The same ideas that museums use apply to a family portrait or a signed print. ## Protect the face first Lay a sheet of glassine or clean, unprinted paper over the glass or canvas. Packing paper with ink can transfer to a print, and bubble wrap placed straight on an oil painting can leave a pattern in the surface. For glass, apply painter's tape in a star across the pane. If the glass cracks, the tape keeps the pieces in place instead of scratching the artwork. ## Pad the corners and the frame Corners take most knocks. Slide cardboard corner guards over each corner, or build your own from folded cardboard, then wrap the whole frame in bubble wrap or a moving pad. Large pieces travel in a mirror or picture box, a flat telescoping carton built for the job. A telescoping box adjusts to the width of the piece and keeps the weight off the glass. - Cover the face with clean paper. - Tape the glass in a star pattern. - Fit the corner guards. - Wrap the frame in bubble wrap or a pad, with the bubbles facing out. - Slide the piece into a picture box and mark it Fragile, This Side Up. ## Store and carry artwork upright Pack pictures on their edges, like records in a crate, rather than flat. Flat stacking puts the weight of one frame on another's glass. Never lay a heavy item against a canvas in the truck. Your estimator will note any art on the written estimate so the crew plans a place for it. ## Valuable and unusual pieces Original paintings, antique frames and sculpture need more than a box. The National Park Service Museum Handbook sets out how museums support, wrap and handle objects, and its principles scale down to a home move. For glass tabletops, large mirrors and pieces with gilt frames, ask about [custom crating](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/). More on valuable collections is in [fine art and antique moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/fine-art-and-antiques/). ## Arriving at the new house Unpack art soon after the move and leave it in its wrap until you have a place to hang it. Check humidity and temperature in the room before hanging a painting, because Reno winters are dry. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [National Park Service, Museum Management Program](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/museums/index.htm) - [National Park Service, Conserve O Gram series](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/museums/conserve-o-grams.htm) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Custom crating for art, glass, antiques and machinery](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/) - [Fine art and antique moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/fine-art-and-antiques/) - [How to pack mirrors and picture frames](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-mirrors-and-pictures/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to pack jewelry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-jewelry/) - [How to pack pots and pans](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-pots-and-pans/) - [How to pack and move a mattress](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-mattress/) - [How to pack a kitchen](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-kitchen/) - [How to pack a garage and tools](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-garage/) - [How to pack a bathroom](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-bathroom/) - [How to pack a home office and electronics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-home-office/) - [How to pack a closet](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-closet/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can I pack art in a regular box? Small framed prints fit in a regular box with padding. Larger pieces do better in a picture box, because a telescoping carton keeps the face from flexing. ### Why avoid bubble wrap on oil paintings? The wrap can press a pattern into the paint. Lay clean paper on the surface and put the bubble wrap around the outside. ### Does O'Brien's pack artwork? Yes. The packing crew wraps framed pieces, and custom crating is available for glass, fine art and antiques; ask at the in-home estimate. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! S Sonia P. August 4, 2023 Talk about organized people. I peeked in the truck about an hour into the job and was amazed at how well organized it was and how many of my things had protective coverings. Our bed is a mechanical one and a nightmare to us, but these guys had no issue with it at all. Although I have no desire to ever move again--but if I did, I would be calling these guys for sure!!! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070