Packing a picture is daunting. It doesn't matter if it's a framed print or an oil painting that's been in the family for decades: as soon as you take it down and think about putting it in the car – or worse, sending it by courier – the question arises. What if it breaks?
Don't worry. With the right materials and twenty minutes, a picture or a mirror can travel safely. This is the method we recommend daily to customers who move artworks, mirrors, and televisions.
If you prefer to go straight to the materials, here are the boxes for pictures, canvases, and televisions.
What you need before you start
- Telescopic box for pictures. It adjusts to the exact size of the piece. We have two sizes: up to 81x69 cm (€7.95 VAT included) and up to 130x81 cm (€15.50), both reinforced double-wall.
- Kraft paper or foam for the first layer, the one that touches the artwork — 2 mm foam roll.
- Bubble wrap for the outer padding.
- Corrugated cardboard roll if you are packing mirrors or several pictures — 90 cm x 25 m roll.
- Adhesive tape and a marker pen.
How to pack a picture step by step
- Make an X with tape over the glass. If the frame has glass, cross masking tape from corner to corner. It doesn't prevent breakage, but if it happens, it keeps the fragments together and protects the print.
- First layer: kraft or foam. Never direct bubble wrap. Wrap the piece in kraft paper or foam. On oil, acrylic, or lacquered surfaces, direct contact with bubble wrap can leave marks — the famous bubble marks.
- Protect the corners. They are the most vulnerable point for impacts. Use foam corner protectors or, failing that, L-folded cardboard secured with tape.
- Second layer: bubble wrap. Now, yes. Two complete turns with the bubbles facing outwards, and tape at the closures.
- Into the telescopic box. Adjust the two halves until the picture is snug. The golden rule: if something rattles inside when you gently move the box, it needs more filling.
- Seal in an H. Close all seams of the box. We show you the technique in how to seal a box to support more weight.
- Mark the box. "Fragile" and "this side up," on at least two sides. Here you have the meaning and use of all packaging symbols.
Mirrors and glass: the sandwich trick
With a mirror, the method changes a bit. After the tape X and wrapping, place it between two corrugated cardboard sheets slightly larger than the mirror and seal the assembly on all four sides. This rigid sandwich distributes any impact across the entire surface.
Then, into its telescopic box like any other picture. And always vertically — a mirror laid flat is a mirror in danger.
Are you sending it by courier?
Then the demands go up a notch. Parcel services stack, flip, and sort on automatic belts, so:
- Double-wall box is mandatory (our picture boxes already are).
- Zero gaps. Fill any empty space: internal movement breaks more pictures than external impacts.
- Declare the value and get insurance if the piece warrants it.
From a logistics perspective, here your artwork is the product, and all protection is secondary packaging: the layer that ensures the shipment. We also have general tips for transporting delicate products in cardboard.
During a move
If the picture is traveling with the rest of the house, three rules: always vertical (never laid flat under weight), no putting it "between mattresses" – it will rub and get stuck – and, in the truck, place it between stable furniture that cannot shift.
Mark it well so you know what it is and which room it goes to. Our guide on how to organize moving boxes will be helpful.
Frequently asked questions
Can bubble wrap touch the canvas?
It's best not to, if it's oil, acrylic, or a delicate surface: direct contact with heat can leave marks. Use a first layer of kraft or foam, and then the bubble wrap on the outside. For framed prints with glass, there is less risk, but the rule is easy to apply consistently.
How do I transport a large picture in the car?
Vertically, resting against the back of the rear seat or secured in the trunk with blankets, and fastened with the seatbelt or straps to prevent it from toppling during braking. Avoid direct sunlight: heat inside a car damages varnishes and adhesives.
What box do I need for a mirror?
A flat telescopic box that fits its dimensions. At TeleCajas, we have boxes for pictures and mirrors with double-wall up to 130x81 cm, starting from €7.95 including VAT and delivery in 24-48 hours in mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands, and Portugal.
Can a valuable picture be sent by courier?
Yes, it's done constantly – galleries and artists send artwork daily. The key is in the packaging (double layer, protected corners, rigid box without gaps) and declaring the value with insurance. For very valuable pieces, consider specialized art transport.
And if you get stuck with the measurements...
Write to us on WhatsApp at +34 665 53 23 58 with the measurements of your picture or mirror and we will tell you which box fits. Free shipping on orders over €30, and orders placed before 5:00 PM are shipped the same day.
