Fragile items account for the majority of moving damage claims, yet most breakage is preventable with the right packing materials and techniques. This guide covers exactly how to pack dishes, glasses, artwork, and collectibles so they arrive intact.
You will need packing paper (not newspaper, which leaves ink stains), bubble wrap, small and medium boxes (not large ones that get too heavy), packing tape, and foam pouches or dividers for glasses and stemware. Expect to spend $30-$60 on materials for a kitchen's worth of fragile items. Dish barrel boxes (also called dish packs) are reinforced corrugated boxes designed specifically for dishes and glasses. They cost $3-$6 each but provide significantly better protection than standard boxes.
Wrap each plate individually in 2-3 sheets of packing paper, tucking edges inward. Stack plates vertically (on edge) in the box like records in a crate, not flat like a stack of pancakes. Vertical orientation distributes impact forces across the strongest part of the plate. Place crumpled paper on the bottom, sides, and top of the box for cushioning. A properly packed dish box should not rattle when shaken. Mark the box "FRAGILE" on multiple sides and "THIS SIDE UP" with an arrow.
Stuff the inside of each glass with crumpled packing paper first, then wrap the outside with 3-4 sheets. For wine glasses and stemware, wrap the stem separately with extra padding since stems are the most vulnerable part. Use cell dividers (cardboard inserts that create individual compartments) inside the box for extra protection. Place the heaviest glasses on the bottom and the lightest on top. Fill every gap with crumpled paper so nothing can shift during transit.
Make an X across the glass surface with painter's tape, this prevents shattered glass from scattering if the piece breaks. Wrap the entire piece in bubble wrap, then sandwich it between two pieces of cardboard cut to size and tape them together. For large artwork or mirrors, buy a telescoping picture box that adjusts to the exact dimensions. Never lay framed artwork flat in a box with other items on top. Stand them vertically in the truck, secured against a wall with furniture pads.
Photograph each collectible before packing for insurance documentation. Use original packaging if you still have it since it was designed for that specific item. For items without original boxes, create a custom nest of bubble wrap inside a box, conforming to the item's shape. Double-box high-value items by placing the wrapped item in a small box, then placing that box inside a larger box with cushioning between them. Consider hand-carrying irreplaceable items in your personal vehicle rather than trusting them to the moving truck.
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Wrap each dish individually in packing paper, then stack them vertically (on edge) in a dish barrel box with crumpled paper for cushioning. Vertical stacking is stronger than horizontal. The box should not rattle when shaken.
Avoid newspaper for direct contact with items since the ink transfers and stains, especially on white or porous surfaces. Use unprinted packing paper instead. Newspaper is fine as fill material for gaps in boxes where it will not touch items directly.
Stuff the inside with crumpled packing paper, wrap the stem separately with extra padding, then wrap the entire glass in 3-4 sheets. Use cell dividers inside the box to keep glasses separated. Place heaviest glasses on the bottom.
Yes, especially for high-value fragile items. The mover's free Released Value Protection covers only $0.60 per pound. A broken $500 vase weighing 5 pounds would only be reimbursed $3. Full Value Protection or third-party moving insurance covers actual replacement cost.
