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 - National Park Service
- Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC)
- Features of Effective Packaging & Transport for Artwork - Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI)
- The Care & 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 ▶️ - Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA)