Often, we are asked how to pack picture cartons, especially multi piece, adjustable cartons. There are three main points about packing:
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- Must pack fragile and valuable items
- Must protect the piece
- Must not move within the carton
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Packing Mirror Cartons
Mirror cartons are used to pack mirrors, pictures, and glass tops. A one piece carton is appropriate for smaller pictures. However, larger pieces require using a four piece adjustable carton.
One Piece Carton Packing
Prepare the carton by taping the box at one end.
Wrap the picture. We use paper pads which are a thick paper material with cushioning in between. You can also use unprinted newsprint, newspaper, or bubble wrap. If you use paper, such as newsprint, you will need to add some crumpled paper in the bottom, top, and sides of the carton to add more cushion in order to protect the picture and prevent it from moving within the carton.
Set the paper on a flat surface. Place the item in the middle. Bring in one corner, then an adjacent corner, then the next adjacent corner.
Then fold it over to complete the last corner. Tape it down.
Slide the wrapped picture into the top of the carton. You may need to add additional padding around the item in the box to fill the empty space and keep it secure so it doesn’t move within the carton. Then tape this side of the carton. Write on the carton to indicate what is inside and which room it will go to.
Four Piece Mirror Carton Packing
These cartons consist of four pieces which close on two ends and are open on two ends. Each of the four pieces makes a corner of the box. They slide together to seal the picture into one large box.
Start by folding each piece of cardboard in half along the indentations and taping one end. Do this for all four pieces so they are ready for your picture after you wrap it.
Wrap the picture. You may need more than one paper pad for large pictures.
Slide two pieces of the four piece carton together and adjust it so the picture will fit inside. Hold the cartons up to the wrapped picture so that you can adjust it to the correct width. Then tape the two pieces together in the middle seam.
Place the picture into the carton
Put the final two corners on, one at a time.
After placing the fourth corner on the piece, adjust it to fit snugly around the picture.
Tape all of the seams all the way around the carton.
Write on the carton to indicate what is inside and which room it will go to.
Two Piece Mirror Carton
You can use just two pieces for pictures of sizes in between a one piece and four piece carton.
Tape the edges and seams. Mark the carton with information about the contents and the room it will go to.
Additional Information
You can pack two very thin picture frames or glass pieces in one box but it must be well padded, even in between the two items. It is our policy to pack only one item per box to ensure it’s safety.
If you have a picture larger than will fit in the four piece carton, you can add one or two additional pieces of cardboard in the middle and securely tape all seams and ends. We do not recommend extending the carton any larger than one more carton width.
Highly valuable or fragile items may need to be crated instead, especially for long distance moves.
Packed Cartons In Three Sizes
Call Century Moving, Inc. with packing questions. 630-889-2700.
