Most people believe that the easiest thing to pack during a move is their books. Maybe due to the fact they only have a few copies or they prioritize other items over them. That may be true if you are not a fan of reading.
If you love to read on the other hand then they are a real treasure to you, and it would be a real disaster if one of your favorite copies was bent, broken, or lost during a move.
While it is true that packing your collection is not one of the most difficult tasks, you have to take into account some basic principles to avoid damage and prolong the life of your books. If you are asking how to pack them in boxes for moving, here are some tips for you.
Prepare the Materials You Will Need for Packing
- A decent number of strong cardboard boxes.
- Lots of tapes.
- Rags, newspapers, or things that can fill empty holes are also essential.
- Wrapping Paper
- Marker/pen
Determine What Books You Need
They don’t break as easily as glasses or vases but when they are arranged together, they become very heavy and that weight may cause problems when you move. Your charges will be based on the weight of your package, so if it weighs more, you will incur higher charges. Sort through your books and select those you want and those you can do away with or donate. You can decide to keep the most precious ones, special collections or gifts from friends and family. The ones you are unlikely to read again or pack with you can be given or sold to churches, schools, stores, or book retailers. Or you can host a yard sale depending on the weather conditions, invite your friends for a book party and let them choose from the pile you are not taking.
Also, make a list of what you’ll be moving, this way, you will be able to avoid losing any of your valued copies. Another tip is to categorize them, for example, by genre.
Choose The Right Boxes for your books
The next step after determining what you will need is to select the appropriate box. You wouldn’t want your box to give away because it cannot handle the weight of your books. Choose dry, small, and sturdy cardboard boxes. Then use your tape on the bottom and on the top to seal them before using a marker to label them.
It is advisable to avoid heavy ones since books stacked together already have a lot of weight, also, choose a smaller box. A large box that is not filled all the way will cause the books to bend or tear, as they will shift consistently during the travel.
Prepare The Boxes for Packing
Inspect the boxes you have packed to check that they are in great shape and that there are no damages. Retape the bottom and the sides to prevent them from breaking during the move. You can place newspapers at the bottom to act as insulation.
Group Books by Size
Books come in different sizes, and you will notice that you have them in different sizes. Your shelf will have a beautiful aesthetic if they are arranged by size. If they are already arranged by size, it will help to better organize them in the box. If not, it is advisable to first arrange them according to their size before you start packing.
Pack Hardcover Books First
Place your hardcovers in a standing position with their spine resting on the side of the box, as you would if were arranging your shelf. Wrap them in a wrapping paper to prevent them from being damaged when you are unpacking.
Pack Paperbacks
For your paperback, you can place them in a flat stack. You can also arrange them facing upwards but to prevent the pages from bending, let the edge of the paper face up. You can make use of both methods listed in one box as long as you arrange them well.
Secure The Boxes
If you have a valuable collection, one that you hold dearly to your heart, you should pack it in your suitcase or handbag. You can use bubble wraps, newspaper, a cardboard separator, etc to protect them from being damaged during the move.
Label The Boxes
Clearly labeling the boxes will allow you to quickly locate and access each book without having to open all the boxes. In turn, it will prevent the books from getting lost during the transfer.
How to Pack Books for Storage
If you have to store your books in storage for a while, the above tips on how to pack books will keep your collection safe. Make sure the storage is dry, clean, and has a controllable temperature. A damp or moist environment spells disaster for your books in the long run.
How to Pack Books Without Boxes
It is possible to pack your books without boxes, especially if you can’t lay hold of the required amount you need.
Just stacking them among other belongings may damage your books before you get to your new location.
It is therefore important to know ‘how’ you should arrange them so that they are safe.
So, if you don’t have boxes to pack your books, what else can you use?
Alternatives for packing your books
- Suitcase
- Briefcase
- Backpack
- Tote bags
- Ziploc bags
- Baskets
Ensure that your alternatives are sturdy enough to bear the weight of your books without breaking or tearing.
Conclusion
Now that you have successfully put your books in their various packages, make a list of everything you have packed in each box or bag. This way, you don’t have to upturn every box searching for a particular book.
Alternatively, you can at least label each package to remind you what’s inside them. For instance, the box that contains romance books can be labeled as “R” or “Romance,” “H” for Horror books, etc.
Also, make sure that you arrange the boxes at the bottom of the moving vehicle to prevent it from tipping over as the vehicle moves.
If you are still not sure about how to keep your books safe during a move, why not call the professionals at Stark Movers to help pack them and deposit them safely in your new home?
Thank you for reading our article. You can always order the services of Starkmovers company. Here is a list of our most popular services:
- Long distance moving in Boston;
- Long distance moving in Chicago;
- Long distance moving in Washington DC.
We are waiting for your calls!
MOVING SERVICES
