Packing valuable items like art and antiques are best left to the professionals. But, if you are only moving a short distance, you can save money by doing it yourself. Here are some tips to help you.

Antiques
For small items like porcelain and ceramics, you should pack them in the smallest box you can. The less room they have, the less they can move around. You may want to use cardboard dividers as well to keep them separate.

Any glass items should be wrapped in glassine. This is a paper wrapping material that has a waxy finish. It protects your items from smudges and scratches. It is especially necessary for items that have paint or print on them.

Next wrap your items in a double layer of bubble wrap. You don't need to go overboard but try to wrap your item sufficiently that they become like a ball of plastic wrap. Secure them tightly with packing tape.

Now box up the items. If an item is large enough, make sure to put it in its own box.

Smaller items can be packaged together, as long as they're well protected. The key here is to fill in all the gaps as much as possible. Use wadded up balls of newspaper or tissue paper. If you want to invest a little more, use packing peanuts.

When everything is secured, and before you seal up the box, give it a shake to make sure nothing is moving around. If anything is not secure, add some more packing material.

Once you're sure nothing is moving around, seal up the box tightly and write the contents on the outside. Mark the box fragile if necessary.

Sculptures and statues
The challenge with small sculptures and statues is that they often have pieces which can break off. For example, if you have a statue of a ballerina with one leg sticking out, this is the part that is most vulnerable to breakage.

Start by wrapping this sculpture in cling wrap. Cover it completely. This will protect the finish. Next use bubble wrap. Wrap the vulnerable parts, then continue to cover the entire thing so that you end up with a ball.

You may need to attach scrunched up pieces of bubble wrap to the item, as you're wrapping it, to help you get a ball shape.

Once finished you can box it up the same as with porcelain and ceramic items. Make sure there are no gaps and that it will not move before sealing the box.

Larger pieces
For heavier items, you may need a wooden crate. You can buy these from shipping suppliers or find them online. As a general rule of thumb, anything over 40 lbs requires a wooden crate.

Some porcelain or plaster statues are hollow inside. They are not as heavy as they appear to be. In this case, you could probably get away with packing them in a cardboard box. Just make sure they're well protected and they don't move around in the box.

Framed artwork
For framed pictures and paintings, the best solution is to purchase artwork or mirror boxes. These are shipping supplies designed for moving flat, delicate items. They are typically reinforced cardboard and are sometimes lined with foam. These are the simplest solution for moving artwork, especially if it has a valuable frame.

Make sure to choose a box that is several inches larger than your paintings so that you can add padding. If the box is too small you won't be able to add padding and you risk damaging the frame.

If your artwork is covered by glass, place an "X" over it with masking tape. This will hold the glass together if it gets broken. If the picture is not covered by glass, wrap several layers of cling wrap around it to protect the painting.

If the frame is valuable, make sure to protect the corners with some cardboard corner protectors.

Next cover the frame with a double layer of bubble wrap.

When boxing the frame, start by putting in wadded up newspaper or tissue paper first. Then add the frame. Add more packing material around it.

Before sealing the box, give it a shake to make sure the painting won't move around. If everything is good, then you can seal it up.

Mark the boxes with the contents, and label them as fragile.

Furniture
The first step when moving antique furniture is to disassemble whatever you can. If the furniture is very old or looks like it cannot handle being disassembled, then don't risk it.

You can also remove small items like drawer knobs, castors, and wheels. Package these separately in a small box.

Next wrap the furniture in blankets. You mustn't use plastic wrap directly on the furniture as it traps moisture, which may ruin the wood. Also, don't use tape to secure doors and drawers. Use twine if you need to secure anything.

It is also worth investing in some furniture pads to protect your antique furniture.

Once you have a layer of blankets and furniture pads protecting the furniture, you can start using plastic packaging. Pallet wrap will be useful here, but if you have enough, it's best to use bubble wrap. You will need to use a lot of it, but it's worth it to protect old furniture.

To move heavy items into the moving truck, make sure to use dollies. Even if you can carry the furniture yourself, it may sag. You risk it being damaged under its own weight.

When the furniture is loaded in the truck, it's a good idea to use more blankets and padding to provide extra protection. Don't place any boxes on top of the furniture either. The weight could cause damage.

Insurance
Make sure to ask your mover about additional insurance. Most movers insure based on weight. This is not suitable for antiques.

You will need to insure each item individually. If something is damaged you will be able to recover its full value.

Packing antiques and artwork can be tricky. If you aren't sure about the best way to do it, then it may be best to leave it to the professionals. Choose a mover who knows how to look after valuable items and has the necessary packing supplies.