Packing Guide
How to Pack Antiques for Moving
A step-by-step way to protect heirlooms, fine art, and antique furniture, from the right materials to custom crating the pieces you cannot replace.
Last updated June 2026
The safest way to pack antiques is to wrap each piece in acid-free tissue first, then bubble wrap, custom-crate the highest-value pieces like fine art and sculpture, and never stack heavy items on top of them. Work through the six stages below in order. Or hand us the fragile ones. We crate fine art and antiques in-house and have moved museum art collections.
Six Stages to Pack Antiques Safely
Gather the right materials
- Stock acid-free tissue paper for the first layer against finishes and gilding.
- Have bubble wrap, moving blankets, and corner protectors ready for cushioning.
- Use custom wood crates and packing tape for the highest-value pieces.
- Never use newspaper on light or porous surfaces. The ink transfers and stains.
Document condition
- Photograph each piece from several angles before you touch it.
- Note any existing chips, cracks, scratches, or loose joints in writing.
- Record a value for each item for insurance and your own peace of mind.
- Keep the photos and notes with your moving binder, not on the truck.
Clean and prepare
- Gently dust each piece with a soft, dry cloth before wrapping.
- Remove loose parts, drawers, shelves, and hardware and bag them labeled.
- Never use water or chemical cleaners on antique finishes. They can lift or cloud the surface.
- Let any recently cleaned surface dry fully before any wrapping touches it.
Wrap each piece
- Lay acid-free tissue as the first layer directly against the finish.
- Add bubble wrap over the tissue, then blanket-wrap larger furniture.
- Pad corners and legs separately. They take the worst of the knocks.
- Pack framed art and mirrors in mirror or glass cartons, face protected.
Crate the fragile and high-value
- Build or order custom wood crates for fine art, sculpture, and irreplaceable pieces.
- Use foam-in-place padding where a piece has an unusual shape.
- Crate anything that cannot be safely cushioned inside a standard carton.
- We crate fine art and antiques in-house, so you can hand the riskiest items to us.
Load with intent
- Keep antiques upright and secured. Never lay finished furniture on its side unless padded for it.
- Never stack heavy boxes on top of antiques, framed art, or crated pieces.
- Place fragile and finished items where temperature swings are gentlest.
- Strap and brace crates so nothing shifts in transit.
Packing Antiques FAQs
Start with acid-free tissue paper against the finish, then bubble wrap for cushioning, moving blankets for larger furniture, corner protectors for edges and legs, and custom crates for the most valuable pieces. Avoid newspaper on light or porous surfaces because the ink transfers and stains.
Crate it. Framed art, sculpture, and irreplaceable pieces are safest in a custom wood crate with proper padding rather than a standard carton. Smaller framed work can travel in a mirror or glass carton, but anything high-value or oddly shaped belongs in a crate. We crate fine art and antiques in-house.
Yes. Newspaper ink transfers onto light, porous, and unsealed surfaces and can leave stains that are difficult or impossible to remove. Use acid-free tissue as the first layer instead, then add bubble wrap or blankets over it.
Yes. Elite Movers crates fine art and antiques and has moved museum art collections. Tell us what you have and we will pack, crate, and move the pieces you would rather not risk handling yourself.
Want the Fragile Pieces Packed For You?
Tell us what you have and we will send a written quote, usually within a few hours. CAL-PUC licensed and insured.