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How to Pack Your Books for Moving
Updated : December 27, 2023
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Table of Contents
Any book lover will have three worries – where to fit more books, how to buy more books and how to pack books when you are moving to a new home. In this blog, we’re going to talk about the third concern– shifting and moving with your books.
Books are heavy, some are light, and the beauty of the books comes from the fact that they are very difficult to organize–because of the different shapes and sizes that they come in. Besides packing isn't just about fitting the books in a box - the last thing you’re looking for is to have to spend a lot of time organizing and categorising books once you’re in your new home. Not to worry– here’s the only blog that you need to read to pack your books.
Books are delicate items, if not packed well they will get damaged easily– bent covers, the book jacket getting damaged. So let's get down to business and discuss how to pack your books for shifting.
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Step Zero: Assess and Discard Unwanted Books
If you’re a bibliophile, throwing away or giving away books is something that you won't appreciate being told. But let's face the reality here– Books are heavy, and packing and moving them in bulk is a tedious costly task, and for that reason, we suggest that you start by deciding on which books are more important to you, and which books you can give away before you start packing your books for moving.
Once you’ve finalised your discard pile you can–
- Donate to Libraries or Second-hand Stores: Consider giving books in good condition to local school libraries or second-hand bookstores. Your books may find new homes and continue to be enjoyed by others.
- Share with Loved Ones: Pass on books to family members, siblings, cousins, or friends who share your love for reading. It's a way to let your reading legacy live on through others.
Step 1: Create an Inventory of Your Book Collection
Before you begin packing your books, it's helpful to know exactly what you have.
Chances are that you’re a pretty organised book lover; or you aren’t, if so–Start by gathering all your books from around your home and putting them in one place.
Next use a spreadsheet, like Excel or Google Sheets, to make a list of your books. Keep in mind that the purpose of the spreadsheet is to help you with packing moving unpacking and reorganising your books, so keep it as simple and to the point as possible.
- List out the book names – mark comics as comics.
- List out the book type and condition: Hardcover/paperback and Old/New.
| Type of Book | What to Be Careful About While Packing | Packing Strategy |
| Hardcover Books | Damage to covers and jackets | - Wrap high-value books individually - Pack them upright in boxes with spines touching the bottom |
| Paperbacks | Potential bending and damage | - Stack them flat or arrange spine first, spine down, in size order |
| Large Books | Potential damage | - Pack them flat |
| Old Books | Vulnerable to damage | - Put them inside a plastic cover, cello tape them, or bubble wrap them tightly before packing |
Step 2: Secure the Packing Materials
So you have a clear inventory of your book collection. Now let's gather the essential packing materials. These items will ensure your books stay safe and organized during the moving process. Here's what you'll need:
- Boxes: Start by collecting sturdy cardboard boxes. Consider using different box sizes to accommodate various book dimensions. Smaller boxes work well for paperbacks, while larger ones are suitable for hardcovers and oversized books.
- Sturdy Boxes for Hardcover Books: For your hardcover books, opt for extra-sturdy boxes. These provide better protection due to the added weight of hardcovers.
- Industrial-Strength Tapes: Invest in strong packing tape to seal your boxes securely. You don't want them to burst open during transit.
- Bubble Wrap: Use bubble wrap to safeguard fragile or valuable books, especially hardcovers with delicate dust jackets. Wrapping them individually will help prevent damage.
- Old Newspapers: If you're looking for a cost-effective option for cushioning your books, old newspapers work well. Place them between books or use them as filler material.
- Cellophane Tape: For securing old or delicate books, consider using cellophane tape to protect them from dust and minor damage.
- Markers: Keep markers handy for labelling your boxes. Mark each box with its contents and any special handling instructions, such as "fragile" or "this side up."
Step 3: (The Smartest)Packing Strategy for Your Books
Now that we’ve gathered packing supplies and organised our packing pile, let's get into the best ways to pack books for moving. We’ll be looking here at how you can pack and arrange the books into boxes so that they are stored safely while being moved
1. Begin by packing your hardcover books
These tend to be heavier and more delicate due to their dust jackets and covers. Here's how to pack these books in boxes:
- Pack Harcovers Upright: Just like how they are arranged on bookshelves. This will help prevent damage.
- Wrap High-Value Books Individually: For hardcovers with special value, wrap each one individually in bubble wrap or protective paper.
2. Move on to Paperbacks
Paperbacks are generally more flexible but even more delicate. So they require more care.
Stack them flat inside the boxes. Alternatively, you can arrange them spine first, spine down, in size order. This minimizes stress on the book spines.
3. How to Pack Your Comics
If you have a collection of comic books, handle them with extra care:
- Sort by Size: Just as in the case of any other book, Group your comics by size for efficient packing.
- Bubble Wrap Special Editions: Protect valuable comic book editions by wrapping them individually in bubble wrap.
- Pack Them Flat: Lay your comic books flat in boxes to prevent damage during transit. Remember to fill any gaps in the boxes with old newspapers or bubble wrap to prevent books from shifting during the move. The goal is to keep your books snug and secure throughout the journey.
4. Special Care for Different Types of Books
When preparing your book collection for a move, it's essential to give special consideration to specific categories of books, such as prized possessions, antique volumes, and large coffee table books.
- Prized Possessions: The books that need special care, like the rare autographed version of the ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series or the anniversary edition of Frank Miller’s Dark Knight that was gifted to you – wrap them individually in bubble wrap or acid-free paper. These extra layers protect dust jackets, bindings, and pages. Place these wrapped books in small, sturdy boxes to prevent shifting during transit. Clearly label these boxes as "Precious Books" or "High Value" to emphasize the need for gentle handling.
- Antique and Old Books: Antique and old books are often delicate and historically significant. Protect them by placing them inside plastic covers, which guard against dust and moisture. If necessary, wrap these books tightly in bubble wrap or acid-free paper to preserve their delicate pages and bindings. Use soft materials as cushioning within the boxes to prevent damage.
Mark boxes containing antique and fragile books as "Antique" or "Fragile" to ensure they receive careful handling throughout the move.
- Large Coffee Table Books and Thick Volumes: Large coffee table books and thick volumes can be challenging due to their size and weight. To pack them securely, lay these oversized books flat inside sturdy boxes, evenly distributing their weight and minimizing the risk of damage during transit.
Insert padding materials between and around the books to provide additional support and reduce the possibility of shifting. Opt for larger boxes that comfortably accommodate these larger books without overcrowding. Label these boxes with "Large Books" or "Heavy" for easy identification and careful handling.
DIY Book Packing Hacks to Save Money on Packing and Moving
Say you don’t have too many books– maybe it's just a single shelf of around 30-40 books and you don’t want to spend time getting them into boxes. Here are two ideas that you can use to pack the books effectively.
1. Repurpose Luggage Bags and Rolling Suitcases
Luggage bags and rolling suitcases that you use for air travel can be your secret weapons for moving books efficiently and cost-effectively. Books will fit neatly in them. Besides these bags are designed for rugged use so they can easily carry the weight of the books in them.
The trolley bags come with wheels, making them incredibly convenient for transporting heavy books. They can be rolled effortlessly, reducing the strain on your back.
2. Pack Your Books with Your Clothes
If you are talking about a small number of books, or if you want to ensure extra safe protection for rare or really old books– you can have them packed in between layers of neatly folded clothes.
The layers of clothes will act as cushioning for the books, preventing any strain or damage. If you have more than a few books you can sandwich them between layers of clothes and pack them into your clothes bag.
Books are precious and delicate, yet heavy and rugged. Knowing how to pack books when you’re moving will make your task easier and faster. If you are looking forward to transporting your precious books without getting damaged, the best choice is to rely on professional packers and movers' services. NoBroker Packers and Movers have got you covered in this matter.
So if you are still worried about how to move books when moving house–whether you are moving within the city or across cities– or even if you just want to drop your shelf of books at your friend’s place, NoBroker can do this for you. Contact us immediately and get your move covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use sturdy cardboard boxes. Place heavier hardcover books at the bottom and lighter paperbacks on top to distribute weight evenly. Secure the boxes with packing tape and label them clearly.
Generally it is better to pack books flat to prevent spine damage. However, if you prefer packing them upright, ensure that the spines touch the bottom of the box to maintain stability.
If you're without boxes, use luggage bags or rolling suitcases. They're convenient and have wheels for easy mobility. Remember to protect the books from shifting by using your clothing as cushioning material.
Storing books flat can be ideal for long-term storage, but for moving, it's better to pack them vertically to avoid damaging spines and pages during transport.
Gather free or low-cost boxes from local stores, borrow packing materials from friends, and use reusable bags or suitcases you already own for transporting your collection. This saves on both packing material costs and helps reduce waste.
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