19 Useful Tips to Pack Fragile Items

Packing is one of the first things we do once our move really gets going. We want to make sure that everything is organized neatly, and packaged in such a way that it will remain in good condition from the start of the move to the end.

Normally, packing isn’t particularly difficult, nor do you necessarily need to be extremely careful, but that doesn’t apply to fragile items.

Packing fragile items, such as musical instruments, electronics, delicate objects, and anything made of glass or ceramic requires a deft hand and sufficient knowledge. No, you don’t need a degree to pack your cups, but you definitely must know what you are doing.

With that in mind, we compiled a list of 19 tips that will make you a pro at packaging your fragile belongings.

How to Pack Fragile Items

1. Prepare Beforehand

Before you even start packing, you need to have a plan. Make an inventory of which of your belongings are considered fragile, and what kind of supplies you’ll need. Newspapers, packing paper, bubble wrap, sturdy boxes, and labels are just some of the supplies you’ll need. You also want to consider where each item will need to go before the packing starts so everything is properly organized.

Packing fragile items requires time and care, so you need to make sure you are properly prepared before the process even starts.

2. Use Different Box Sizes

If your fragile items are heavy, you want to place them in a box that’s easily manageable. That means one big enough to fit the item, but small enough to not have much free room. This prevents the item from shifting around when moving, which could lead to it being damaged. You should ensure that any empty space is filled up with padding, like packing paper or bubble wrap.

Smaller items that aren’t very heavy can be packed together in larger boxes. Remember to have the heavier boxes at the bottom when transporting, and the lighter ones on top.

3. Don’t Over Pack the Boxes

You don’t want to put more items into the box than it can handle, as this could lead to the box breaking or tearing. 

On the other hand, you don’t want to leave a lot of empty space on a box. So make sure you are using the space in it efficiently without overdoing it. Fill any empty space with packing supplies like paper or bubble wrap.

4. Use Sturdy Boxes

You’ll want a box that is thick and sturdy. The thicker, the better. This will prevent your items from tearing through the box or having the bottom of it give away in the middle of the move.

5. Secure the Bottom of the Box

Speaking of the bottom giving away, that’s something you should aim to prevent from happening. A good way to do this is by adding extra strips of tape to the seams of the box and the bottom. This will keep it together tightly and reduce the chances of it bursting open. You can do the same on the corners, and the top.

6. Layer the Bottom of the Box

We’ve mentioned using packing supplies on the empty spaces of a box as a way of cushioning for your belongings, but before you even place anything in the box you should use some of these supplies to create a small bed of sorts at the bottom.

This bedding will provide cushioning for your stuff, giving it an extra layer of protection.

7. Pack the Heaviest Stuff on the Bottom

If you are packing items of different weights in the same box, make sure the heaviest stuff is at the bottom of the box, and label which side is which. This will reduce the chance of the heavy items breaking the lighter or more delicate ones.

8. Use Dividers for Glassware

If you are transporting cups, glasses, or anything else made of glass, it’s very common to wrap these objects up in newspaper or packing paper. 

But another great option is getting cardboard dividers. These dividers keep all your glassware separated and prevent them from shifting or colliding with each other.

9. Fill Hollow Items with Packing Paper

People often believe that packing glasses, jars, or other hollow items tightly is enough to prevent them from breaking. However, the vibrations from the truck can end up making them break or crack. A way to reduce this possibility is by packing the inside of the cups and jars with plenty of paper. This will help lessen the effect of vibrations.

10. Wrap Each Item individually

You should wrap every fragile item on its own. For each, use the type of packing supply that fits best. For plates and glasses, you can use newspapers. For delicate china, bubble wrap tightly wrapped and secured with tape will be better.

Another good idea is to place these items on smaller boxes of their own. This will help reduce the chance of them breaking.

11.  Pack Plates Vertically

Speaking about high-quality plates and dishes, you’ll want to stack those vertically, wrapped with bubble wrap and secured with tape, inside of a box to reduce the amount of space they need.

If you’ve followed our tips so far, then you should have made a small bedding of supplies for cushioning at the bottom of the box.

12. Secure Your Electronics

Electronic equipment and devices are very delicate and expensive, so it is extra important to take care of their packaging. Use the original boxes they came in if you still have those available, as they are designed specifically for transporting them. If that is not an option, make sure they are packed up tightly in a box.

When moving, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So if any of these electronic devices have very important data, make a backup before you start your move.

Written by Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend is a moving professional and relocation expert that has more than 10 years of experience in the moving industry. With a background that includes working in virtually every aspect of the company, he has distinguished himself as an integral part of our operations with expertise in all things related to moving.

If you have any questions about moving, our services, or anything else you think he may be able to help with, you can contact Chris by emailing him at Chris@threemovers.com

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