How to pack books for moving

It probably seems easy to pack books for moving, but what if you have a massive book collection? All those ripped pages, bent covers, and damaged book jackets are sadly a common scenario when you have to transport countless books in a moving van. 

However, it shouldn’t have to be this way. With the right strategy and a little TLC, you can keep your books looking fresh when relocating them. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pack books for moving.

How to transport books without damaging them

1. Organise your books

This part is tedious and messy, but organising your books by category can make the process easier. Try to arrange them by genre or alphabetical order. You can also separate hardcovers from paperbacks. Whichever works for you, organising your collection before packing will save you so much time in the long run. 

2. Trim down your collection

It might be a nightmare for book lovers, but getting rid of books you don’t need can help simplify the move. Chances are, you have at least some books that you’ll no longer need. So it’s wise to donate or sell them to earn some money. To simplify the decluttering process, list all the books to keep when moving. 

Streamlining your collection can also help you save if you hired a professional mover. Since you’ll be charged by weight, you can save a few dollars by having lighter boxes.

3. Prepare the right boxes

Selecting the right storage boxes for books is a crucial step you don’t want to miss. Your cardboard book boxes should be thick and sturdy to support your books. While some love to reuse old boxes, you should use new ones strong enough to keep your books in place. 

One of the best ways to pack books for moving is to keep the weight below 40 lbs. Instead of putting all your books in one large box, use multiple boxes to prevent them from breaking. 

You can use your rolling suitcases when moving books if you don’t have enough boxes. Packing books in a suitcase is much easier, as suitcases are sturdier and more spacious. They also come with wheels, so it’s easier to transport them to and from the moving van. 

4. Load your boxes with books

When packing your books, always place the heaviest ones at the bottom of each box. This will ensure your paperback books are not smushed or damaged during transport. You can also cover your coffee table books and other hardcover books with newspaper or packing paper to maintain their pristine condition. 

Another pro tip when packing heavy books for moving is to lay your hardcover books flat. This is to prevent them from shifting around while being moved. It’s recommended to have paperback books laid sideways with their spines down to keep their pages unbent. 

Books made of delicate paper, such as magazines and comic books, must be covered with newspaper or packing paper to prevent damage. You can place them in a separate box and hand carry them instead of transporting them in a moving van. 

5. Seal your boxes

To keep your books in place, add a layer of wrapping paper on top of them before sealing your box with tape. You can also put socks or dish towels between your books. The goal is to fill the remaining spaces that can cause your books to move around. Once you’ve filled up your boxes, use a liberal amount of heavy-duty tape to seal them. 

6. Label your boxes

Once you’re done packing your boxes, it’s time to label them based on their category. While labelling seems time-consuming, it can actually help you locate your books once you’re ready to organise them. Labelling also gives your movers a heads-up about the weight and fragility of the books inside your boxes.

Should you hire a professional book packer?

Ultimately, while anyone can pack their books when moving, not everyone can do it excellently. Thus, some hire a professional packer to keep their book collection. Hiring a pro is also a good decision when you have other responsibilities. It takes away the stress of having to pack and transport all your books from one place to another. 

Save yourself some time and avoid the hassle of packing all your books by hiring a Tasker today! They can keep your book collection safe and help minimise your relocation stress.