· Michael Blair
Breakage usually comes from movement inside the box rather than from impact outside it. A box with space in it lets contents shift for the whole journey.
Fill the void
Pack to the top and fill every gap. A box should not rattle when gently shaken, and it should not flex when lifted.
Under-filled boxes also collapse when stacked, which is what causes the crushing that damages what is beneath.
Weight by box size
Books and heavy items in small boxes, light bulky things in large ones. A large box full of books cannot be carried safely and usually fails at the bottom.
Aim for something a person can lift comfortably — heavy boxes get dropped, which is when the impact damage happens.
- Fill every void; no rattle, no flex
- Heavy items in small boxes
- Plates on edge, not stacked flat
- Label the room and the contents, on the side not the top
- Mark fragile boxes on several faces
Plates on edge
Stacked flat, plates take the full load of everything above through their centres. Packed vertically on edge with padding between, they behave far better.
It is counterintuitive and it is the single most effective packing technique for crockery.
Label usefully
Room and contents, on the side rather than the top, because boxes get stacked. A number keyed to a list works for anyone tracking a large move.
Mark the boxes you need on the first night distinctly and load them last.