How to Pack Large Framed Art for Moving: Packing Materials & Tips

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Which Packing Materials Do You Need for Large Framed Art?

1. Palette Wrap & Glassine Paper

Glassine paper is an acid-free and moisture-resistant paper that sits directly against the artwork surface. This is the very first layer to go on, and it's especially important for oil paintings, watercolors, or any piece where the surface could be affected by materials touching it. Palette wrap (also called stretch wrap) comes in later as an outer layer to keep everything tightly bound without adding tape directly to the wrapping materials. Together, these two materials are what separate a professional pack job from an amateur one.

2. Painter's Tape or Artist's Low-Tack Tape

Once the surface is protected, run a protective X pattern of painter's tape or artist's low-tack tape across the glass. If the glass cracks in transit, the tape holds the shards in place instead of letting them slide across the artwork. Regular packing tape should never touch a frame or glass directly. It can strip finishes, pull off paint, and leave adhesive residue that's nearly impossible to remove from decorative frames. Painter's tape gives you a secure hold without any of that risk.

3. Cardboard or Foam Corner Protectors

With the surface secured, slip foam or cardboard corner protectors over each corner of the frame. The corners of a large frame are the most vulnerable point during a move. They take the first hit if a box tips, slides, or gets stacked under something heavy. For very large or very heavy frames, look for thick foam corner protectors rather than the thin cardboard variety.

4. Bubble Wrap & Brown Packing Paper

These two work as a team and go on next. Brown packing paper wraps the frame first to keep it clean and prevent the bubble wrap's plastic from leaving impressions on the frame surface over time. The bubble wrap goes over that, providing the actual impact cushioning. For large frames, use a sheet of bubble wrap that is at least twice the size of the artwork so you can wrap it completely with overlap. Always place the bubbles facing inward (toward the artwork) so the cushioning is where the impact will hit. Secure both layers with palette wrap, making sure nothing can shift inside the wrapping.

5. Sturdy & Correctly Sized Moving Box

A strong and fitting moving box is one of the most important packing materials for large framed art. 

The box is the final layer and does more work than most people realize. For large framed art, you want a specialty picture box or a double-walled cardboard box that is slightly larger than your fully wrapped frame: enough to allow a full layer of bubble wrap on all sides without compressing it. A box that's too large lets the artwork shift, while one that's too small forces you to compress your protective wrapping.

Packing Materials for Large Framed Art: Summary Table

Practical Packing Tips for Framed Art

When packing large framed art, there are other things to keep in mind. 

Never Pack Large Pieces Together in One Box

It might seem efficient to slide two large framed pieces into the same oversized box, but it's one of the most common causes of frame and glass damage during moves. Even with padding between them, large frames shift during transit. Every bump in the road transfers force from one piece to the other, and the edges and corners act like chisels against adjacent glass or artwork surfaces.

Each large framed piece gets its own box, full stop. The cost of an extra box is nothing compared to the cost of reframing or restoring damaged artwork. 

Don't Use Newspaper

Newspaper seems like a convenient free alternative to brown packing paper, but it's one of the worst things you can wrap artwork in. The newsprint ink transfers directly onto frame surfaces and glass, leaving stains that range from annoying to permanent depending on the material. On raw wood frames or unfinished surfaces, that ink can absorb deeply and become nearly impossible to remove.

Stick to plain brown packing paper or acid-free tissue paper for any layer that touches the frame directly. The cost difference is minimal, and your artwork's finish is worth protecting. If you're in a pinch and have nothing else, plain white paper is a better choice than newspaper.

Opt for Professional Specialty Item Handling Services

When a piece is valuable, fragile, or just plain awkward to move, the smartest call is often to hand it off to a crew that does this every week. Professional movers bring the right equipment, padding, and crating materials to the job, plus the muscle memory that comes from packing hundreds of similar pieces without incident. For one-of-a-kind artwork, antique frames, or oversized canvases, that experience is the difference between a piece arriving intact and a heartbreaking unboxing.

How Can Got2Move Help You Pack and Move Large Framed Art?

Got2Move handles and moves specialty items like art with care. 

Packing large framed art comes down to the right materials and a few non-negotiable habits: one piece per box, no newspaper against the frame, corners reinforced, and glassine against the surface. Get those details right and your art arrives looking exactly the way it left the wall.

For pieces that are too valuable, too large, or just too stressful to pack yourself, our crew at Got2Move handles the wrapping, crating, and transport across California, from Bay Area local moves to long-distance SF to LA routes. Every quote is transparent with no hidden fees, so the number you see upfront is the number you pay on moving day. Get a free quote and we'll take it from here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I pack two large framed pieces in the same box?

No, two large framed pieces should never share a box. Even with padding between them, the weight and rigidity of large frames means they will shift into each other during transit. The corners and edges act like impact points that can crack glass, dent frames, or damage the artwork surface of the adjacent piece.

What is the best box for large framed artwork?

The best option is a telescoping picture box, which is a two-piece adjustable box specifically designed for framed art and mirrors that can be sized to fit your exact piece. For pieces that exceed standard picture box dimensions, double-walled cardboard boxes or custom wooden crates are the next best alternatives. Avoid single-wall cardboard boxes for anything large or heavy, as they don't provide enough structural rigidity to protect the contents during loading, transport, and unloading. 

Do I need gloves when packing framed art?

Gloves are recommended when handling unframed artwork, photographs, or any piece where skin contact with the surface could cause damage from oils and moisture. For framed artwork with glass, clean cotton or disposable nitrile gloves are a smart precaution, particularly for large, heavy frames where you need a firm grip during wrapping and boxing. They also help prevent smudging the glass after you've cleaned it prior to packing.

Should large framed art be stored flat or upright during a move?

Always upright, never flat. Storing large framed art flat during a move places the entire weight of the frame and glass across the face of the artwork, which creates pressure points that can crack glass, warp wooden frames, and damage canvas or paper artwork underneath. Standing the piece upright on its longest edge, with padding on either side to prevent tipping, distributes the load along the structural edges of the frame where it's engineered to bear weight.

Can Got2Move help me pack and move my large framed art?

Yes. Got2Move offers fragile-only, partial, or full-house packing using heavy-duty boxes, bubble wrap, custom crates, and moving blankets, with white-glove handling and custom crating for fine art when a piece needs it. If you're moving locally in the Bay Area or LA, or making a long-distance California move like SF to LA, our crew can pack, label, transport, and unpack everything at the destination so your framed pieces are looked after end to end. Call us at 855-936-4109 or get a free quote online.

*Note: Prices are approximate only and may vary based on factors like distance, weight, volume, home size, seasonality, and specific services requested. Final billing may also include additional charges such as fuel surcharges, stairs, long carries, or other service-related fees. For an exact, binding quote, please contact Got2Move directly.