To pack art for moving, wrap framed pieces in acid-free paper and bubble wrap, tape an X across any glass, and box them standing upright (never flat). Canvas paintings need glassine paper placed directly against the surface. Always label boxes "Fragile" and "This Side Up," and keep art away from temperature extremes during transit.

Art is the one category where a single packing mistake can mean permanent damage. A painting dropped flat, a canvas wrapped directly in bubble wrap, or a sculpture rattling loose in an oversized box can all ruin a piece that took years to find. If you're moving in Winnipeg, winter temperatures add one more threat: cold brittle enough to crack oil paint and tighten canvas to the breaking point.

This guide covers how to pack art when moving: framed art, unframed canvases, and 3D sculptures, with the same approach professional movers use.

Gather Your Supplies Before You Start

The right materials make all the difference when packing artwork for a move. Here's what you need:

Glassine paper — acid-free, smooth paper that acts as a barrier between paint and anything else. Essential for unframed canvases.
Acid-free packing paper — for wrapping frames and creating buffer layers
Bubble wrap — bubbles always facing outward, away from the artwork surface
Cardboard corner protectors — fit over frame corners before boxing
Blue painter's tape — for the glass X-technique (explained below)
Picture or mirror boxes — telescoping adjustable boxes sized to fit artwork snugly
Foam padding or soft moving blankets — for sculptures and oversized pieces
Packing tape and a permanent marker — for sealing and labeling

What to avoid:

Newspaper — ink transfers onto frames and glass, especially in humidity
Plastic wrap directly on canvas — traps moisture and can bond to paint
Styrofoam peanuts around paintings — they shift during transit and create uneven pressure points
Wax paper or tissue paper — not acid-free; can damage paint surfaces over time

How to Pack Framed Art and Paintings for Moving

Framed pieces with glass are the most common casualty in a poorly packed move. Follow these steps:

Tape the glass first. Use blue painter's tape to form a large X across the entire glass surface, reaching corner to corner. This holds any shards in place if the glass breaks and absorbs impact shock. Don't skip this step even if the glass looks thick.
Wrap in acid-free packing paper. Lay a sheet flat on the floor, place the artwork face-down in the centre, and fold the paper up over all four sides. This creates a clean buffer layer so the frame never touches bubble wrap directly.
Add bubble wrap. Wrap 2–3 layers around the entire piece with bubbles facing outward. Pay extra attention to the corners, where frames take the most impact.
Fit corner protectors. Slide cardboard or foam corner protectors over all four corners before putting the piece in a box.
Choose the right box. A picture box sized as close to the artwork as possible is ideal. Add crumpled packing paper to the bottom before placing the artwork inside. If there's extra space around the sides, fill it with more crumpled paper so nothing shifts.
Pack upright — always. Framed art travels standing on its long edge, never lying flat. Flat orientation puts pressure on the glass and frame centre. Stand the box on edge and keep it that way.
Label every side. Write "Fragile," "Artwork," and "This Side Up" on all four sides of the box. Don't assume anyone handling the box will check just one side.

How to Pack Unframed Canvas Paintings

Unframed canvases are more vulnerable than they look. The paint surface is exposed, and the canvas itself reacts to temperature and humidity changes.

Brush the surface gently. Use a soft, dry brush to remove any dust before packing. You don't want dust particles pressed into the paint under wrapping.
Apply glassine paper directly to the canvas. Cut a piece of glassine to fit the painted surface and lay it flat against the paint. This is the most important step: glassine prevents moisture, protects against imprinting, and creates a clean barrier between the paint and anything else.
Don't roll the canvas. Unless the canvas was specifically made to roll (some are), don't attempt it. Oil and acrylic paint can crack when flexed, especially after the paint has fully cured.
Wrap in bubble wrap after the glassine. Once glassine is in place, wrap the canvas in bubble wrap with the bubbles facing outward, away from the surface.
Box it flat if unframed. Unlike framed art, unframed canvases can travel flat, provided nothing is stacked on top of the box. Label the top clearly so movers know not to load anything above it.
Keep temperature in mind. More on this in the Winnipeg section. Cold air tightens canvas and can make paint brittle.

How to Pack Sculptures for Moving

Three-dimensional art takes more planning because every protrusion is a break waiting to happen. Take your time here.

Photograph from every angle first. Before you touch the sculpture with packing material, take photos of all sides, the top, and the base. If something breaks in transit and you need to file an insurance claim, you'll want documentation of the pre-move condition.
Pad vulnerable areas individually. Look for thin legs, outstretched arms, pointed tips, or any element that sticks out. Wrap each of these separately with foam or soft cloth before wrapping the whole piece. These protrusions are the first to snap.
Wrap the full piece. Apply stretch wrap as a first layer to hold any padding in place, then wrap with bubble wrap over top.
Choose a snug box or crate. Oversized boxes are dangerous for sculptures. Too much empty space means the piece can shift and impact the walls. The box should fit the sculpture with roughly 5–8 cm of clearance on all sides for padding.
Cushion the base. Fill the bottom of the box with crumpled packing paper or foam before placing the sculpture inside. The piece should rest on a cushioned base, not the cardboard floor.
Fill all remaining gaps. Pack crumpled paper around all sides until there is no movement at all when you gently shake the closed box.
For large or heavy sculptures, consider wooden crating. A sculpture over 50 cm, made of bronze, stone, or ceramic, is a candidate for a custom wooden crate. The cost of professional packing pays for itself here: replacing a damaged sculpture is almost always more expensive than crating it properly.

Moving Art in Winnipeg: What Winter Does to Your Collection

Winnipeg winters regularly hit -30°C. That temperature is genuinely dangerous for artwork, and not just uncomfortable. It's structurally damaging.

Oil paint becomes brittle in extreme cold and can flake away from the canvas. Canvas itself contracts in freezing temperatures, creating tension that cracks paint or distorts the stretcher frame. Acrylic paint is more flexible but still vulnerable below -10°C.

A few things to keep in mind if you're moving art during a Winnipeg winter:

Use a climate-controlled vehicle for valuable art. An unheated truck sitting outside in -25°C is not a safe environment for original paintings or sculptures.
Minimize time in the cold. If climate-controlled transport isn't an option, move art last and unload it first. The less time it spends in a cold truck, the better.
Don't unwrap art immediately on arrival. This is the mistake most people make. Bringing a cold canvas into a warm house and immediately unwrapping it causes condensation, meaning moisture forms directly on the paint surface. Leave art in its packaging for 24–48 hours to acclimate to the new temperature before unwrapping.
Same applies to summer humidity. Hot, humid July moves carry a different risk: condensation from cool, air-conditioned rooms meeting warm, humid air. Let art acclimate slowly.

Loading Art Into the Moving Truck

Packing correctly is only half the job. How art gets loaded and positioned in the truck matters just as much.

All framed art travels vertically. Boxes containing framed pieces or canvases should stand on edge, never lying flat on the truck floor.
Load against the truck wall. Position art boxes flush against the interior wall of the truck, not in the middle where other items can shift into them.
Nothing heavy above art boxes. Don't stack boxes of books, kitchen items, or anything else on top of artwork boxes.
Keep art away from heavy furniture. A dresser or bookcase shifting in transit can crush an artwork box. Leave a clear buffer between art and large furniture.
Load valuable pieces last. What goes in last comes out first. Loading your art at the end means it's at the front of the truck, easily accessible, and handled with fresh attention at the start of unloading.

When to Call in Professional Packers

DIY packing works for most art. But some pieces are better left to professionals:

Originals by named artists, especially anything with significant monetary value
Pieces larger than 90 cm on any side
Heavy sculptures in bronze, marble, or stone
Antique frames with gilding or delicate woodwork
Anything genuinely irreplaceable: a family heirloom, a commissioned piece, a work with deep sentimental value

Professional movers who offer packing services have access to telescoping picture boxes in a range of sizes, custom foam inserts, and wooden crating for larger pieces. They also know how to move artwork safely, loading the truck so pieces stay protected for the full journey, whether that's across Winnipeg or across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pack framed pictures for moving?

Tape a painter's tape X across the glass, wrap the piece in acid-free paper, then add 2–3 layers of bubble wrap with bubbles facing outward. Add corner protectors, place in a snug picture box with crumpled paper at the bottom, and always store and transport the box standing upright on its edge.

Should I bubble wrap paintings for moving?

Yes, but never directly against the paint surface. For unframed canvases, place a sheet of glassine paper directly on the painted surface first, then wrap with bubble wrap. For framed art, wrap in acid-free packing paper first, then bubble wrap. Bubble wrap applied directly to paint can leave impressions or stick to the surface.

How do you transport large paintings when moving?

Large paintings should be wrapped in acid-free paper, padded heavily with bubble wrap, and boxed in an appropriately sized picture or mirror box. They travel standing upright against the truck wall, never flat. For very large originals, a custom wooden crate built to fit the piece offers the best protection.

Can cold weather damage paintings during a move?

Yes. In temperatures below -10°C, oil paint becomes brittle and can flake from the canvas. The canvas itself contracts in cold and may crack or distort. Keep art in a climate-controlled vehicle when possible, minimize cold exposure time, and always allow art to acclimate slowly, still in its packaging, for 24–48 hours after arriving at the new location.

How do you pack sculptures for moving?

Photograph the sculpture first, then pad delicate protrusions individually with foam before wrapping the whole piece in stretch wrap and bubble wrap. Choose a box that fits snugly: too much empty space allows shifting. Cushion the base, fill all gaps with crumpled packing paper, and label the box "Fragile" on all sides.

Should artwork be packed flat or standing up?

Framed artwork must always be packed and transported standing upright on its long edge, never flat. Flat orientation puts pressure on the glass centre and increases the risk of cracking. Unframed canvases can travel flat if nothing is stacked on top, but framed pieces should always travel on edge.

What is glassine paper and do I need it for moving art?

Glassine is a smooth, acid-free paper used as a protective barrier for artwork. It prevents moisture transfer, stops bubble wrap from imprinting on paint, and keeps surfaces from bonding to other packing materials. For unframed canvas paintings or works on paper, it's the most important single material you can use.

Need Help With Your Move?

If your art collection is more than you want to tackle alone, our team offers full and partial packing services — including picture boxes, careful wrapping, and climate-controlled storage if you need it mid-move. With over 50 years of combined experience, we've packed and moved plenty of things that can't be replaced. Call (204) 296-2223 for a free quote, or request an estimate online.

—How To Expertly Pack Art When Moving