Moving can be quite an adventure, and packing your beloved books can add a layer of stress. Whether you have a steamy fiction collection or an extensive library – books are heavy, fragile, and valuable. Read on to learn how to pack books when moving to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, ready for you to dive back into your favourite stories as soon as you unpack.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
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8 Steps on How to Pack Books When Moving
#1 Gather Your Supplies
Before you start packing, make sure you have all the necessary packing supplies. Here’s a list of items you’ll need:
- Sturdy small to medium-sized moving boxes
- Packing paper or bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Labels and markers
#2 Sort Your Books
Firstly, begin by sorting through your books. Decide which ones you want to keep, donate, or sell. This is an excellent opportunity to declutter and reduce the number of books you need to pack and transport.
#3 Prepare the Boxes
Next, proceed to reinforce the bottom of each cardboard box with packing tape to ensure they can handle the weight of the books. You can also consider lining the bottom of the box with packing paper or bubble wrap for extra cushioning.
– Protecting Fragile Books Before a Move:
Moreover, do make sure to wrap any fragile or valuable books individually in packing paper or bubble wrap. Place them in the box with extra care to ensure they are well-protected during the move.

#4 Best Strategies on How to Pack Books When Moving
When packing books for moving, it’s important to distribute the weight evenly. Follow these steps for the best results:
◆ How to Pack Books Vertically:
1. Place books standing upright, like on a bookshelf. This method is great for hardcover books and allows you to fit more books into a box.
2. Fill any gaps with packing paper to prevent the books from shifting.
◆ How to Pack Books Flat:
1. Lay books flat in the box, stacking them on top of each other. This method works well for paperback books and prevents the spines from bending.
2. Alternate the direction of the spines to keep the stack level.
#5 Label the Boxes
Once your books are packed, clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. Mark boxes containing books as “Heavy” to ensure they are handled with care. And if you’re wondering about the best ways to lift and move these heavy boxes, check out our dedicated post for expert lifting tips and techniques.
#6 Consider Professional Removal Services
Packing can be a real drag, especially if you’ve got a ton of stuff to deal with. But don’t sweat it! Let professional movers handle the packing and heavy lifting for you. They have the expertise and tools to pack your books securely and efficiently. Get free quotes from our trusted moving partners today and free up your time for more important things.
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#7 How to Pack Books When Moving: Don’t Overpack
As you pack your books, you’ll quickly notice how heavy the boxes are becoming. Avoid overpacking, as this can make the boxes too heavy to lift safely and increase the risk of them breaking. Therefore, it’s best if you aim to keep each box under 20 kilograms.
#8 Load the Boxes Carefully
When loading the boxes into the moving vehicle among your other boxes, place them on the bottom layer to prevent them from crushing lighter, more fragile items. Secure the boxes in place to avoid shifting during transit.
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If you’re looking for more tips to make your move smoother, you might find these articles helpful: Removal Van Costs, Cheap Man With a Van, and Storage Unit Prices.