Before
loading most cartons, you'll need to wrap many
items to protect them from scratching or
breakage. There are a variety of materials
available, including bubble pack, foam peanuts
and tissue.
However,
most often the professionals use clean,
unprinted newsprint. Place a small stack of
newsprint on a flat, uncluttered table or
countertop. Round glasses and jars can be rolled
up in two to three sheets of newsprint; always
begin from a corner of the sheet, and fold the
sides in as you role.
Larger
or odd-shaped items require a similar technique.
Place them in the center of the sheet, and bring
the corners together. It may be necessary to
flip the item over and wrap it again from the
other side. If in doubt, use more paper!
When
the corners are bought together, secure them
with tape. For all your packing needs you will
find PVC (poly-vinyl chloride) packing tape most
effective. Do not use masking tape or narrow
cellophane tape.
Before
packing the cartons, line the bottom with a few
inches of wadded newsprint for padding. Then
place large heavy items on the bottom, and
lighter, more fragile items on top. Most things,
such as plates and books, should be loaded
vertically to utilize their own maximum
structural strength.
Don't
overload cartons; keep them to a manageable
weight. Fill in any voids and top off loaded
cartons with wadded paper and tape cartons to
avoid shifting while enroute. Be sure to label
contents to make unpacking more organized.