--- title: Packing & Shipping Museum Objects description: Learn essential techniques for safely packing and shipping museum objects to protect them from damage in transit using the right materials and methods. image: https://info.gaylord.com/hubfs/Blog_AK/AGuideToPackingAndShipping.png --- - [SHOP PRESERVATION](https://www.gaylord.com/c/Preservation) - [SHOP EXHIBIT](https://www.gaylord.com/c/Exhibit-and-Display) [![Gaylord Archival Resource Center](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GALogo-Transparent-3.png?width=65&height=79&name=GALogo-Transparent-3.png "Gaylord Archival Resource Center")](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/home) Search toggle - [PRESERVATION](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/preservation) PRESERVATION - [ARCHIVAL BASICS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/archival-basics) - [COLLECTIBLES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/collectibles-artifacts) - [BOOKS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/books) - [DOCUMENTS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/documents) - [GARMENTS & TEXTILES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/garments-textiles) - [MEDIA](https://info.gaylord.com/resource-center/tag/media) - [PHOTOS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/photos) - [EXHIBIT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit) EXHIBIT - [EXHIBIT CASES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-cases) - [EXHIBIT PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-planning) - [VISITOR ENGAGEMENT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/visitor-engagement) - [ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/environmental-control) ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL - [EMERGENCY PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/emergency-planning) - [MONITORING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/monitoring) - [SILICA GEL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/silica-gel) - [MUSEUM STORAGE](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/museum-storage) - [WEBINARS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/webinar-archive) [![Gaylord Archival Resource Center](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GALogo-Transparent-3.png?width=65&height=79&name=GALogo-Transparent-3.png "Gaylord Archival Resource Center")](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/home) - [PRESERVATION](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/preservation) PRESERVATION - [ARCHIVAL BASICS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/archival-basics) - [COLLECTIBLES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/collectibles-artifacts) - [BOOKS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/books) - [DOCUMENTS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/documents) - [GARMENTS & TEXTILES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/garments-textiles) - [MEDIA](https://info.gaylord.com/resource-center/tag/media) - [PHOTOS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/photos) - [EXHIBIT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit) EXHIBIT - [EXHIBIT CASES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-cases) - [EXHIBIT PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-planning) - [VISITOR ENGAGEMENT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/visitor-engagement) - [ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/environmental-control) ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL - [EMERGENCY PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/emergency-planning) - [MONITORING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/monitoring) - [SILICA GEL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/silica-gel) - [MUSEUM STORAGE](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/museum-storage) - [WEBINARS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/webinar-archive) Search toggle [![Gaylord Archival Resource Center](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GALogo-Transparent-3.png?width=65&height=79&name=GALogo-Transparent-3.png "Gaylord Archival Resource Center")](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/home) - [PRESERVATION](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/preservation) PRESERVATION - [ARCHIVAL BASICS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/archival-basics) - [COLLECTIBLES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/collectibles-artifacts) - [BOOKS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/books) - [DOCUMENTS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/documents) - [GARMENTS & TEXTILES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/garments-textiles) - [MEDIA](https://info.gaylord.com/resource-center/tag/media) - [PHOTOS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/photos) - [EXHIBIT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit) EXHIBIT - [EXHIBIT CASES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-cases) - [EXHIBIT PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-planning) - [VISITOR ENGAGEMENT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/visitor-engagement) - [ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/environmental-control) ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL - [EMERGENCY PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/emergency-planning) - [MONITORING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/monitoring) - [SILICA GEL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/silica-gel) - [MUSEUM STORAGE](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/museum-storage) - [WEBINARS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/webinar-archive) Search toggle What are you looking for? Search # Packing & Shipping Museum Objects ![Guide to Packing & Shipping](https://info.gaylord.com/hubfs/Blog_AK/AGuideToPackingAndShipping.png) Packing and shipping museum objects requires the right materials, careful handling, and strong support. Museums, archives, and collections teams need packing supplies that help protect objects from shock, vibration, and changes in temperature and humidity. Use **Ethafoam®** for custom cushioning and support. Use **Volara®** to line boxes. Use **Glassine** for paintings and prints. Use **unbleached muslin** for textiles and sculptures. Use **tissue** for textiles, porcelain, and metals. Use **archival polyester** for many works on paper. Use **barrier board, corrugated board, or corrugated polypropylene sheets** to make folders for unframed prints and documents. For safe shipping, use the **box-within-a-box method**. First, wrap and cushion the object, or place it in a custom foam cavity. Then place it in a cardboard box, and place that box inside an outer shipping crate. This method adds an extra layer of protection and helps keep the object stable during transit. Always inspect and document the object’s condition before packing. Support the object at its strongest point and ensure it cannot shift inside the package. Good packing helps reduce the risk of damage from movement, handling, and environmental changes. #### Learn More About Safe Packing & Shipping Techniques - [Handling, Packing & Shipping](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/museums/upload/MHI_Ch6_HandlingPackingShipping.pdf) - National Park Service - Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) - [Packing & Shipping Paper Artifacts](https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/4.-storage-and-handling/4.5-packing-and-shipping-paper-artifacts) - [Packing & Shipping Audio Media](https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/4.-storage-and-handling/4.6-packing-and-shipping-audio-media) - [Features of Effective Packaging & Transport for Artwork](https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/conservation-preservation-publications/technical-bulletins/effective-packaging-transport-artwork.html) - Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) - [The Care & Handling of Art Objects: Practices in the Metropolitan Museum of Art](https://www.metmuseum.org/met-publications/the-care-and-handling-of-art-objects-practices-in-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art) - Marjorie Shelley, Metropolitan Museum of Art - [Handlin' It: Techniques & Materials for Artifact Packing & Transport](https://youtu.be/fhbVzvUy9oM?si=luH67OeOy6XbR9k6) ▶️ - Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) ### Share: [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/guide-to-packing-shipping&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [Share on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/guide-to-packing-shipping&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/guide-to-packing-shipping&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/guide-to-packing-shipping&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Packing%20&%20Shipping%20Museum%20Objects) [Archival Basics](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/archival-basics), [Preservation](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/preservation), [Museum Storage](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/museum-storage) ## Related posts Resources provided here are based on general circumstances. Depending on the condition and significance of your collection, it may require special care. Certain actions may cause irreversible damage. When in doubt, [Find an Expert \>](https://community.culturalheritage.org/expertsearch) ### Are we missing something? If you can't find the information you're looking for, we want to know! [Suggest a Resource \>](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VFG5D5S) ![Gaylord Archival: Preserve Today. Share Tomorrow.](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gaylord%20Archival%20Logos%20-%20Horizontal-02.png?width=500&name=Gaylord%20Archival%20Logos%20-%20Horizontal-02.png "Gaylord Archival: Preserve Today. Share Tomorrow.") # Shop - [Preservation](http://www.gaylord.com/c/Preservation) - [Exhibit & Display](http://www.gaylord.com/c/Exhibit-and-Display) - [Environmental Control](http://www.gaylord.com/c/Environmental-Control) - [Storage & Handling](http://www.gaylord.com/c/Storage-and-Handling) - [Family History/Collectors](http://www.gaylord.com/c/Family-and-Collectors) - [New Products](http://www.gaylord.com/c/New) # Let Us Help You - [Contact](https://www.gaylord.com/contact) - [Returns](https://www.gaylord.com/returns) - [Shipping](https://www.gaylord.com/shipping) - [FAQs](https://www.gaylord.com/frequently-asked-questions) - [100% Satisfaction Guarantee](https://www.gaylord.com/satisfaction-guarantee) - [Catalogs & Guides](https://www.gaylord.com/request-a-catalog) - [Order by Part #](https://www.gaylord.com/quick-order) Copyright © 2025 Gaylord. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://www.gaylord.com/privacy-policy) | [Accessibility](https://www.gaylord.com/accessibility)