How to Pack Fragile Items So Nothing Breaks in Transit

The materials that actually matter

Skip the supermarket boxes for fragile items — they're irregular and weak in the corners. You need:

• Double-walled small boxes (1.5 cu ft) for dishes and heavy items.
• Dish-pack boxes with cell dividers for glassware and stemware.
• Picture/mirror cartons (telescoping) for framed art and TVs without their original box.
• Packing paper (newsprint-quality, unprinted) for wrapping.
• Bubble wrap (3/16" small bubble for cushioning, 1/2" large bubble for shock).
• Foam pouches for plates and electronics.
• Stretch wrap and quality 2" packing tape.

Rule of thumb If you can hear contents shift when you gently shake a closed box, it's not packed tight enough. Add more paper or cushioning on top before sealing.

Dishes and glassware

1. Line the bottom of the box with 2–3 inches of crumpled paper.
2. Wrap each plate individually in paper or a foam pouch. Stack on edge (vertical), not flat — they're much stronger this way.
3. Wrap each glass in paper, twist the top, and tuck the ends inside. Pack rim-down.
4. Add paper between every layer and 2–3 inches on top.
5. Box weight should not exceed 30 lbs. Mark FRAGILE and THIS SIDE UP on all four sides and the top.

TVs and electronics

Original boxes are best. If you don't have them:

• TVs: tape the screen with painter's tape in an X to reduce flex, wrap in a moving blanket, slide into a TV box (cardboard sleeve), and always transport upright. Never lay an LCD/OLED flat — pressure on the screen cracks the panel.
• Computers: back up data first. Remove laptop batteries if removable. Pack in original boxes or wrap thoroughly in bubble and place in a snug double-walled box.
• Cables: photograph the back of each device before unplugging. Coil cables and bag them per device.

Framed art and mirrors

1. Tape an X across the glass with painter's tape (catches shards if it breaks).
2. Wrap the frame in glassine paper or plastic to protect the surface.
3. Add corner protectors (cardboard or foam).
4. Wrap in bubble wrap, then slide into a mirror/picture carton.
5. Always stand vertically in the truck, never flat under other boxes.

Lamps and lampshades

Remove bulbs, shades, and harps. Pack each shade in its own box with paper cushioning — never stack shades inside each other (they deform). Wrap the lamp base in bubble and pack upright.

Loading the truck right

Even perfect packing fails if the truck is loaded badly. Heaviest items go on the floor against the cab wall. Fragile boxes go on top of soft, stable surfaces (mattresses, sofa cushions). Use moving blankets between hard surfaces. Strap every tier — a tipped tier of boxes is the most common cause of damage.