Page scope: packing and moving wall items: paintings, frames, photos and calligraphy. For large mirrors and glass tables see glass table and mirror moving, for antiques and valuable furniture see luxury furniture and antique movers, and for all packing services see furniture packing.
Not all artwork is the same
| Type | Weak point | How we pack it |
|---|---|---|
| Frame with glass front | Glass can break and scratch the print | Paper masking tape in an X over the glass, then foam, then heavy cardboard |
| Oil or canvas painting without glass | The surface reacts to pressure and sticking | Soft non-stick paper on the face, then a cardboard frame that keeps anything off the surface |
| Arabic calligraphy and verses | Usually glass plus an ornate frame | Extra foam on decorated corners, each piece wrapped alone |
| Small photo frames | Many pieces, easy to lose | Each wrapped in paper, standing upright in a divided box |
| Very large paintings | Weight and flexing | Heavy cardboard on both sides, loaded upright and secured |
Before taking anything off the wall
- Photograph each wall: a photo of every gallery wall helps you recreate the same layout in the new home.
- Number the pieces: write a number and room name on the back of each one and log it in our moving inventory list.
- Bag the hooks and nails: keep a small bag with each group, or buy new fixings suited to the new walls.
- Do not take them down too early: a painting leaning on the floor for days gets kicked and knocked over.
Mistakes that ruin artwork in a move
- Bubble wrap pressed directly onto an oil painting; in heat it can leave marks on the surface.
- Stacking frames flat on top of each other; the weight presses on the glass underneath.
- Sliding paintings between furniture without protection; any movement on the road scratches them.
- Leaving valuable pieces in a closed car under summer sun for hours.
- Putting strong tape directly on gilded frames or polished wood.
Eastern Province summers are hot. If a piece has special value, tell us so we load it last and unload it first, or carry it yourself in your air-conditioned car.
How we load artwork in the truck
Wrapped artwork is loaded standing on its edge, never flat, between stable items such as mattresses or the back of a wardrobe, and strapped so it cannot slide. Large paintings go against the truck wall with protection on both sides. Nothing is placed on top.
At the new home
We place the wrapped artwork in the right rooms by number, away from walkways until the furniture is in. Keep it wrapped until you are ready to hang it, and start with the wall you photographed. Moving locally? See furniture packing in Dammam or furniture packing in Al Khobar.
Materials if you prepare some yourself
If you have many small frames and want to prepare them before moving day, these usually do the job:
- Paper masking tape for glass, not strong brown packing tape.
- Soft wrapping paper or clean newsprint for small frames.
- Heavy cardboard slightly larger than each piece on every side.
- Cardboard or foam corner guards for frame corners.
- A thick marker to write "Glass – Fragile" and the room name.
Leave large and valuable paintings to us on the day; they need custom cardboard sizes and careful carrying and loading.
Family photos and certificates
Family photo frames and university certificates are irreplaceable even when their price is low. Put them in one box marked "family photos", wrap each frame on its own, and keep that box with you in the car if you can.
Request packing and moving for paintings and frames
Send the approximate number of pieces, the largest size and where from and to, and we will send a plan and price.