How to Pack Books for Moving

stack of old books opened

Packing books for a move may seem straightforward. You just chuck them all into boxes and put them on the truck right? Wrong. If you approach packing books for a move like this you may end up with damaged covers, bent pages, and probably back pain from lifting boxes that are too heavy.

Books are often one of the heaviest items to move, yet they are easily damaged if not packed correctly.

Read on if you’re a book lover or have a book collection and need some packing tips to refer to for your beloved books.

1. Sort Through Your Collection

Before you start packing, it’s important to take some time to sort through your collection. Moving is a wonderful way to declutter and reduce your book load. Start by categorizing the books into groups: keep, donate, and sell. Think about which books are most important and that you truly want to keep. Do you really need that old textbook from college or the novel that you didn’t really like and won’t ever read again?

Consider donating unwanted books to a local charity, school, or library.

Bonus tip: If you’re unsure about parting with certain books, consider whether they are available digitally or in another easily accessible format.

2. Gather the Right Supplies

Packing books requires sturdy supplies to protect your books and your back during the move. Here’s some supplies you’ll need:

  • Small boxes to medium boxes: It’s important to avoid large boxes when moving books. Books get very heavy and too many in large moving boxes can make it difficult to lift without injury.
  • Packing tape: Reinforcing the bottom and top of each box with extra layers of tape prevents the boxes from collapsing under the weight of the books.
  • Packing paper or bubble wrap: Use balled up packing paper to stuff the boxes and packing paper to wrap your books. This is especially true for those rare editions or books with fragile covers.
  • Labels: Use the side of the box or sticker labels to ensure that each box is labeled according to its contents. This will make moving and unpacking easier.

3. Pack Heaviest Books First

Start with the heaviest books first such as hardcovers, textbooks, and coffee table books. These should be placed at the bottom of the box to prevent crushing your lighter books. Lay them flat and avoid packing books with their spines facing upwards as this can put pressure on the books.

If you’ve hired a professional moving company, ask about their packing services so you don’t have to worry about this part.

Woman packing books in packing boxes

4. Use Proper Packing Techniques

When packing books, there are a few methods you can use depending on the size and fragility of the books:

  • Flat packing: Lay books flat in stacks. This works best for larger or heavier volumes. Flat packing helps distribute weight evenly across the box.
  • Spine-first packing: For lighter books, especially paperbacks, place them spine-first into the box. This will protect the pages from bending. Be sure not to overpack the box, as this can cause the covers to warp.
  • Standing packing: For books that are especially fragile or valuable, such as first editions or collector’s items, stand them upright as you would on a bookshelf, but don’t pack them too tightly. Place packing paper or bubble wrap between the books to provide additional protection.

5. Fill Gaps with Padding

Filling the gaps with padding or bubble wrap will help keep the books secure during the move. This step is important for making sure your books don’t get jostled around or damaged. You can also use soft items like towels or clothing to pad the sides of the boxes.

6. Limit the Weight of Each Box

As tempting as it may be to pack all of your books into a few boxes to save money or space, remember, books are heavy! A box filled with books can quickly exceed a comfortable lifting weight.

Try to keep each box at a weight that you can lift without straining your back.

Ideally try to keep each box under 40 pounds. If you’re unsure, use a scale. If it has to go above that weight, absolutely keep it under 50lbs for safety.

Man holding a box labeled books

7. Label Your Boxes

Don’t forget to label your boxes accordingly.

If you’re packing fragile or valuable books, label the boxes so the movers know to handle them with extra care. If you’re hyper organized and always keep your bookshelves neat and tidy, it may be worth the effort to label boxes according to which bookshelf and bookcase they go on.

That way, you pull out your books in the order you already prefer them to be.

8. Consider Special Care for Rare or Sentimental Books

If you’re a rare book collector or have books with sentimental value, consider wrapping those in bubble wrap or individual wrapping paper before putting them in a box. You can even use plastic wrap to cover dust jackets and covers.

For very valuable books, it may be worth transporting them yourself rather than placing them on the moving truck.

9. Stack Boxes Carefully

When you or your movers load your boxes into the moving truck, it’s important to place the book boxes on the bottom to avoid crushing other boxes. Stack them in a stable and even way or even use securing straps to ensure that they won’t topple over.

10. Unpacking Your Books After the Move

Once you’ve arrived at your new home, unpack the books first. This will not only clear some boxes and heavier items, but it will give you the chance to begin the organizing process of your new space. Take your time to put them in their proper places on the bookshelf and inspect for any damage.

Closing the Chapter on Moving Your Books

Moving books doesn’t have to be stressful or even take too long with the right approach and precautions. By sorting through your collection, packing well, and taking extra care with your valuable items, you can make sure your books arrive at your new home unharmed.

If you need expert packing and moving services or our ultimate moving checklist, don’t hesitate to call Cento Moving today. We are happy to help.

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