Moving art: tips for paintings, pictures and sculptures when you move

How do I prepare artworks for a move?

The most important work happens before the first box is packed: if you document the condition and clarify the value, you can prove any damage later and make decisions without rushing.

1. 1.Document the condition with photos

   Photograph each piece from the front, the back and at the corners. Record existing scratches, cracks or loose areas in close-ups so that the condition before the move is clearly documented.

2. 2.Draw up a simple inventory list

   Note the title, dimensions, material and the room the piece will go to in your new home. Number boxes and crates to match the list.

3. 3.Clarify value and insurance beforehand

   Check with your own insurer whether, and up to what amount, artworks are covered during the move. For valuable pieces, an appraisal by an expert may be worthwhile.

4. 4.Inform the moving company in good time

   Tell them in advance which artworks are coming, how large and heavy they are, and what is especially delicate. For very valuable or fragile pieces, a specialist fine-art shipper may be the right choice.

5. 5.Check hangers and loose parts

   Inspect hangers, wires and hooks. Removable parts such as bases or top pieces are packed separately and labelled.

How do I pack paintings and framed pictures properly?

The rule for packing is: from the inside out. First a soft, smooth layer protects the surface, then come padding and a sturdy outer shell.

1. 1.Acid-free paper as the first layer

   Cover the surface with acid-free paper or smooth, unprinted paper. Newspaper is unsuitable because the ink can rub off.

2. 2.No stretch wrap directly on the work

   Stretch wrap applied directly to the paint layer or frame traps moisture and can stick to the surface. If wrap is used at all, it should only be the outermost layer over paper and padding.

3. 3.Protect the corners with corner guards

   Frame corners are where damage happens most often. Corner guards made of cardboard or foam absorb knocks to the corners.

4. 4.Tape a cross on the glass

   On glazed pictures, apply a cross of masking tape to the glass only, not to the frame or the work. If the glass breaks, the shards are more likely to stay in place. Remove the tape promptly after the move.

5. 5.Soft padding, firm enclosure

   Pad with bubble wrap (bubbles facing outwards), blankets or foam, and place the picture in a suitably sized picture box. For valuable or large works, a sturdy crate with internal padding, in which nothing can shift, is the safer solution.

6. 6.How we pack at Paradiso Umzüge

   When we move artwork for you, we pack it in wrapping paper, bubble wrap and boxes, the same materials we also offer as packing supplies. On top of that, we protect each piece with foam and air-cushion packaging.

How do I move sculptures and antiques?

Three-dimensional objects are weakest at their thin and protruding parts. They need packaging that supports the object all around.

1. 1.Protect protruding parts individually

   Wrap thin or projecting parts such as arms, points or handles separately in tissue paper and padding first, before packing the whole object.

2. 2.Fill all empty spaces

   Nothing should be able to move inside the box or crate. Fill gaps with padding so that the object stays firmly in place even if it is tilted.

3. 3.Carry heavy objects by the base

   Lift sculptures at their most stable point, usually the base or body, never by protruding parts. Heavy pieces should be carried by two people.

4. 4.Take care of antique furniture and surfaces

   Delicate surfaces such as polish or veneer are protected with blankets, not directly with wrap or tape. Secure drawers and doors without sticking tape onto the surface.

5. 5.Label clearly

   Mark every crate with “Fragile” and “This way up”, along with the number from your inventory list.

What matters on moving day?

Even well-packed art can be damaged during loading and driving. A few firm rules reduce the risk considerably.

1. 1.Transport pictures upright

   Paintings and framed pictures stand on their edge during transport, separated from one another by padding. Stacked flat, the weight presses down on canvas and glass.

2. 2.Don't put anything on top

   Nothing is placed on top of art crates or picture boxes. In the vehicle, they are secured with straps so they don't slide when braking.

3. 3.Avoid heat, cold and moisture

   Don't leave artworks in the vehicle, in full sun or in the rain for long. Sharp changes in temperature and humidity put strain on canvas, wood and paint layers.

4. 4.Last on, first off

   Artworks go into the vehicle last and come out first. That way they are not in the way and spend as little time on the road as possible.

What should I keep in mind after the move?

1. 1.Let it acclimatise

   If the art was moved in cold weather, keep the packaging closed for a while so that the piece slowly adjusts to room temperature and no condensation forms.

2. 2.Unpack carefully and inspect

   Never cut packaging close to the surface. Compare the condition with your photos and document any new damage straight away.

3. 3.Choose the right place to hang it

   Choose wall anchors and hooks to suit the wall and the weight. Don't hang art above radiators, in direct sunlight or on damp exterior walls.