How Professionals Pack Fragile Items

Bubble wrap is useful but insufficient on its own. Double-wall, heavy-duty cartons resist pressure and impact far better than thin, single-use boxes, which matters especially once several boxes are stacked in a loading area.

Acid-free tissue paper, foam sheeting and cell dividers are what actually make the difference: tissue protects surfaces from scratching, foam absorbs impact, and cell dividers stop items knocking against each other inside the box.

Every piece of glass or porcelain should be wrapped individually, never bundled together. Glasses and cups should be padded on the inside as well, so the wall does not crack under pressure, and stemware needs support at its thinnest point, the stem.

Plates travel best packed on edge rather than flat, much like records in a crate, with a cell divider between each. This simple change reduces the risk of breakage considerably, because it changes the direction the load has to bear.

Corners are the most exposed part of any mirror or framed piece, so they need dedicated corner protectors before the item goes into a flat pack or a purpose-built crate. Glazed cabinet doors and display cases are treated the same way: the glass must be secured so it cannot shift within the frame in transit.

For high-value or unusually sized pieces, a custom-built wooden crate lined with foam is often the better choice. This is not an indulgence, it is a proportionate response to a risk a standard box simply cannot manage.

Lampshades should be packed separately from their base, since the assembled form is more vulnerable than the two parts on their own. For electronics, if the original box and moulded packaging survive, reuse them, since they were engineered for that exact device.

Where the original packaging is gone, screens should travel on edge with impact-absorbing padding, and cables should be separated so they cannot rub against the surface. It is worth photographing the wiring before disconnecting anything.

Every box should carry a clear note of its contents and destination room, along with a fragile marking where warranted. A well-kept inventory speeds up unpacking and lets insurance track exactly what was where in transit.

Some things are better left to professionals: high-value artwork, a piano or other instruments, and anything whose damage cannot be undone. These call for experience alongside the right materials, something an improvised packing job cannot substitute for.