How to Pack Books for Moving

Books may be small, but they’re hard to pack. They’re heavy, delicate, and come in a number of sizes, which makes them difficult to box up and ship. Follow these helpful tips to keep them in good condition during their journey to your new home. Whether you’re a collector or casual reader, understanding how to pack books for moving makes the process safer and easier. From choosing the right boxes to proper stacking technique, here is what you need to know.

Buy Sturdy Boxes

While a single book is easy to carry, a box full of them can weigh 30-40 pounds! To prevent them from tearing, warping, or buckling under the weight, purchase boxes made from corrugated cardboard, which has the highest tensile, compression, and bursting strength. Moving companies are a good source, as are hardware stores.

To save money, stop by your local liquor store. They normally have lots of boxes lying around, which you can generally take for free. Because they’re made to store and transport glass bottles, liquor boxes are a strong, durable packing solution.

To avoid straining your back, don’t use standard-size moving boxes if you can help it. Smaller boxes keep weight manageable, so they’re easier to lift and carry. However, if you’re moving oversized books, a larger box might be your only option. In this case, leave it one-third or one-quarter empty, to make sure it’s not too heavy when you go to pick it up.

Organize Your Books

Books come in a range of sizes. Hardcovers are typically big, while paperbacks are usually small. Before packing, group books according to their weight and dimensions. Storing books with similar sizes together in the same box not only maximizes space. It also prevents them from shifting and keeps small books from being crushed by larger ones.

Reinforce the Bottom

To keep your boxes from falling open, seal the bottom with packing tape. One strip will normally suffice, but most movers use two, just in case. To provide a secure anchor point, make sure the tape is long enough to cover the bottom slit and stretch halfway up the side of the box.

Pack Books Upright

Despite what you may have heard, the best way to pack books is to place them upright, the same way you'd place them on your bookshelf. When you lay books flat, the weight of the books above them can warp the cover, pages, and spines. Standing them upright provides stability and ensures their weight is distributed evenly. To prevent their pages from bending, position each book with its spine against the side of the box.

Fill Empty Spaces

If there are any gaps left around the side of the box after you’re done packing, fill them with bubble wrap, packing paper, or packing peanuts. Avoid newspapers, since the ink can transfer. The extra material not only keeps the books from shifting. It also provides additional cushioning. Add another layer of padding on top of the books as well, for extra protection.

Wrap Valuable Books

Delicate or valuable books should be wrapped individually in acid-free packing paper. Ordinary paper products contain harmful compounds that can discolor or degrade books, if left in direct contact. Rather than storing them with the rest of your books, you might want to consider packing them in double-walled boxes or a custom-book box instead. Book boxes can only store one book, but are designed with built-in foam or cradling to protect delicate materials. Books that require this type of protection should be transported in your car, rather than a moving van, where they might be jostled along the way.

Seal and Label

Once your box is full, seal the top with at least one strip of packing tape. Make sure it’s long enough to reach halfway down either side of the box, to hold the lid firmly in place. Then label the box on all sides, so movers know what’s in it. If they’re destined for a specific room in your house (e.g. bedroom, den), add it as well.

Household Moving Solutions

Allied has been one of America’s top relocation experts since 1928. Our full service moving teams don’t just load and ship your belongings. They pack, store, and secure household goods as well, everything from books to lamps, dishes, glassware, and furniture. No matter how large, delicate, or cumbersome, we have the tools, skills, and resources to transport it safely to your new home. Let us do the heavy lifting while you concentrate on the journey. Contact us today for a free quote!