However, if what you really want to do is ship an overstuffed sofa to your son at college or a priceless oil painting to your mother across country, the solutions aren't as obvious.
How do you begin to figure out the best way to handle, pack and transport objects that require a little extra care? Since most damage occurs during handling and movement, the best advice would be to leave it to a professional who will carefully consider the needs of the object, as well as the type of move.
Not every packing situation requires the same method. The packing of larger objects, like a bulky couch, is complicated because of size and shape. A valuable painting may need special wrapping to preserve its color and beauty.
If you plan on doing it yourself, here are some common sense suggestions to safeguard your belongings from the rigors of transit.
* Wrap. To prevent scratches, discoloration, water damage and dirt, you should always protect the surface of your valuables. Use bubble wrap, nonacidic paper for artwork or a clean cloth that won't scrape the surface.
* Absorb. Shock and vibration absorption is important to keep pieces from breaking. Use a cushion material like foam or rubber as the second layer of packaging.
* Protect. The outer layer of the package should be a hard, puncture-resistant surface like plywood.
However, unless you're a skilled carpenter, building an appropriate plywood crate is likely to be beyond your abilities.
One company makes it easy for people to feel assured their belongings are protected. Pak Mail specializes in large-item packing and shipping - any size, any weight, any configuration.
This full-service mailing and resource center has a network of reliable surface and air carriers from which to choose. Pak Mail will also pick up your items and will customize packing crates to fit your valuables.
Items shipped by Pak Mail stores across the country and overseas include a motorized hand glider, a grandfather clock, a Mercedes Benz roof, an X-ray machine, a life raft and even an original Pablo Picasso painting.
