Types of Packaging Techniques

Fragile Items

• When packing dishware, china and glassware, wrap each item individually in paper or tissue paper. Stack like items, but place a thick layer of paper between each item. Crumpled paper or bubble wrap should also provide a layer of cushion between the wall of the box and the dishware. Packaging for other fragile items should follow suit: They should be wrapped with thick packing paper to provide as much cushion as possible during movement of the box.

Electronics and Small Appliances

• When possible, electronics such as televisions, stereos, and DVD players should be repackaged in their original box before shipping. If this is not possible, it is preferable that a professional at a shipping store package the box for you. If you prefer to do it yourself, the electronics should be wrapped in bubble wrap. Small appliances can be wrapped in paper or bubble wrap and shipped together, as long as they are stacked largest to smallest.

Artwork

• Artwork should be packaged by a professional. If this isn't possible, it should be wrapped with bubble wrap, then cushioned in the box with more bubble wrap, crumbled paper, foam, packing peanuts and/or other form of padding. It is preferable that it be shipped in a package made specifically for shipping artwork, such as a wooden crate.

  See Reference 1

Tools

• Because tools are not particularly fragile, they do not require much padding to keep them safe, but they do require padding to prevent them from breaking through the box. When possible, tools should be bound together with a rubber band or a strong string, and wrapped in paper or bubble wrap. Regardless of the size of the tools, they should be packed into as small a box as possible because you don't want to overfill a large box with heavy tools.

Lamps

• To package a lamp, first take out the bulb and remove the lamp shade from the base. Wrap the base in paper or bubble wrap, and place it at the bottom of the box. Pad the surrounding area with more paper before placing the lampshade (wrapped only in tissue paper, not in newspaper) into the box. More than one lamp can be packaged in the same box, as long as there is adequate padding between the lamp bases.