How to Store and Move Artwork

Art is most at risk when it is off the wall: stacked in a closet, packed in a moving truck or sitting in a storage unit. This guide is for people moving house, settling an estate or putting part of a collection away, and covers practical ways to store and transport paintings, framed works on paper and small sculpture.

Choose a safe storage location

Store art in the living area of a home or in a climate-controlled space, not in attics, basements, garages or outdoor sheds, where heat, cold, humidity and pests are common. Look for a spot that is:

• Dark or dim, away from windows.
• Away from water pipes, laundry areas and exterior walls.
• Off the floor, on shelves or blocks, in case of leaks or flooding.
• Free of insects and rodents, and checked periodically.

If you rent a storage unit, choose one that is climate controlled, and ask how the facility handles pests and security.

Store pieces the right way

• Framed paintings and pictures: store upright on edge, not flat in a stack. Place them face to face and back to back, with padding such as cardboard between them, so hanging hardware cannot scratch a neighbor.
• Unframed works on paper: keep flat in acid-free folders or boxes, interleaved with acid-free tissue. Do not roll prints or drawings that were meant to lie flat.
• Canvases without frames: store upright, and make sure nothing presses against the front or back of the canvas.
• Sculpture and objects: store on a stable shelf, padded, with heavy pieces at the bottom.

Avoid wrapping art tightly in plastic for long-term storage, especially in damp places. Plastic can trap moisture and encourage mold. A breathable cover such as a clean cotton sheet is often a better choice over time.

Wrap for moving

For moving, the goal is to keep the surface clean and protect against bumps and pressure.

1. Cover the front with a smooth, non-sticking layer. Glassine paper is commonly used for framed and unframed paintings, but keep it and any paper away from pastel, charcoal and other loose media, which can smudge.
2. Add cardboard corner protectors to frames.
3. Wrap the whole piece in bubble wrap with the bubbles facing outward, so they do not leave marks.
4. Place it in a sturdy picture box or between layers of rigid cardboard, and label it "Fragile" and "This side up."

Never tape directly onto a painting, a frame's finish or acrylic glazing. If a frame has glass, some movers use low-tack tape across the glass so it holds together if broken; check that the tape will not touch the artwork or frame. When in doubt, ask a framer.

Load and transport carefully

• Load art last and unload it first so it is not crushed or left in a hot truck.
• Stand framed works upright and secure them so they cannot slide or tip.
• Do not stack heavy boxes against or on top of artwork.
• Avoid leaving art in a closed car or truck in hot or freezing weather.
• Keep sculptures upright and braced; protect delicate parts that stick out.

Know when to hire specialists

For valuable, large, fragile or heavy works, consider a fine art shipper or mover with art handling experience. They can build custom crates, provide climate-controlled transport and handle installation. Ask about insurance coverage during the move, and check whether your own policy covers art in transit or storage.

Document before and after

Before packing, photograph each piece front and back and note its condition. Keep a numbered inventory that matches labels on each package. After the move, compare items to your photos before discarding packing materials, and report any damage promptly to the mover and your insurer.

Unpack with patience

If art has traveled through very cold or hot conditions, let it sit in its packing for a while to adjust gradually to the room. Unwrap on a clean, padded surface, away from foot traffic, and do not use box cutters close to the artwork.

Quick checklist

• Store in a dark, stable, climate-controlled space off the floor.
• Stand framed works upright with padding between them.
• Avoid sealing art in plastic for long-term storage.
• Protect surfaces and corners, and box each piece.
• Load art last, unload first, and never leave it in a hot vehicle.
• Photograph and inventory everything before and after.