How to pack artwork and mirrors for moving

Flat, glass-fronted, and awkward to cushion evenly on every edge — framed art and mirrors need their own approach, not a generic box and some paper.

Use a mirror or picture box

For anything larger than a small frame, a flat, adjustable-length mirror/picture box is worth the cost — it's built specifically for this shape and protects corners, which take the most impact if a box is bumped or shifted, far better than a generic box does.

Prepare the glass first

  • Apply painter's tape in an X or grid pattern across the glass — this holds shards together if the glass cracks, reducing scatter and making handling safer even in a worst case
  • Wrap the entire piece in packing paper or a moving blanket, then bubble wrap for extra cushioning
  • Add corner protectors (foam or cardboard) to the frame's corners specifically, since they're the most vulnerable point

Packing multiple pieces together

Several flat pieces can share one mirror/picture box if each is individually wrapped and cardboard separators are placed between them. Never let two framed pieces touch glass-to-glass or frame-to-frame directly — even wrapped, direct contact under transit vibration can cause chips.

Keep them upright and stable

Transport framed art and mirrors on their edge, not flat — flat stacking lets weight from other items press directly onto the glass. On the truck, they should be positioned where they won't shift or have heavier items placed against them.

Label clearly for handling

Mark boxed art and mirrors "fragile" and "glass" on multiple sides, and add "this side up" if the piece has a defined orientation — see our full labeling guide. A clearly marked piece is far less likely to end up under something heavy during loading.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a special box for mirrors and framed art?

For anything larger than a small frame, yes — mirror/picture boxes are flat, adjustable-length boxes designed specifically for this shape, and protect corners far better than a generic box.

Should glass be taped before packing?

Yes — an X or grid of painter's tape across the glass helps hold it together if it cracks, reducing shard scatter and making handling safer even in a worst-case scenario.

Is bubble wrap enough protection for framed art?

For moderate distances, often yes, but corner protectors are worth adding too — frame corners take the most impact if a box is bumped, and they're the part most likely to chip or crack.

Can artwork be stacked flat in a box with other pieces?

Multiple flat pieces can share a mirror/picture box if each is individually wrapped and cardboard separators are placed between them — never let two framed pieces touch glass-to-glass or frame-to-frame directly.