tip

Moving paintings? Here’s a helpful how-to guide.

art frames

While many of us have collections of nice paintings with little to no market value, we still love them and want them to make it to a new home in one piece. Others, on the contrary, have higher-end art that is not just valuable to the owner, but has an important investment value. As Kamloops movers with decades of experience, we have a number of recommendations that will help you the next time you need to pack and move your paintings, whatever their cost.

Don’t skimp on materials

While many people get used boxes and old newspapers to pack most of their things, paintings are a different story. You will need to make sure that the boxes you get are the right size for the art that you are going to move. If you have a variety of pieces, you might need a bunch of different sizes. Also, you will need to purchase bubble wrap and masking tape, to prevent damage.

Pack them properly

Once you have all of the necessary materials, start by taking the painting down and placing it on a flat surface. The first thing you’ll need to do, if it’s covered by a glass frame, is to put masking tape on the glass in an X shape, this is to make sure that if anything happens to the glass, the canvas won’t get damaged. Then cover the front with a piece of cardboard and wrap the whole thing in bubble-wrap. There is no such thing as over-wrapping.

Place the wrapped painting into the right sized box, along with any other artwork of the same size. If there is still space between the paintings and the box, then you should line everything tightly with newspapers to make sure that nothing moves.

This last step might be evident, but it’s easy to forget – put a FRAGILE label on the box, so that the movers know they need to be careful with it.

Consider buying extra insurance

While moving companies have basic insurance on your things, if your art is valuable, you may want to get an appraisal and have it insured for that amount. Another option is to take it with you in the car, if you are driving to your new home, this will give you full control over the transportation.

Take the weather into account 

Finally, if you are dealing with oil paintings, transporting them in summer is risky as the heat could cause the paint to melt. Keep in mid that moving trucks tend not to have air conditioning. Since waiting until cooler weather is likely not an option, your best best is to take them over to your new home by car and keep them cool as best you can.

Here are more packing tips. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call, we’ would be delighted to help.

 

 

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Pioneer Moving and Storage

1284 Salish Rd, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
V2H 1K1
Tel: 250-573-6083
Cell: 250-682-1600
Toll Free: 1-877-746-5423

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  • Long time and active member of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce and past President

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