Packing your china

Packing china and dishes must be done carefully if you are to protect these items during transit. The first thing to consider is obtaining the right boxes. Many supply companies or moving specialists use “dish boxes” or “china boxes”, which are large, thick boxes designed to withstand a heavy load.
Before packing your china and breakables, prepare a work station. We recommend using a dining table, kitchen counter, or any other surface that will allow you sufficient room to lay out your materials before you begin. You will also need packing paper to insulate and protect each piece before they are placed into boxes. You can purchase packing paper from a packing supply store or from any moving company. Packing paper is typically sold in 25 pound bundles of sheets of 2’ X 4 ’.

Lay out your china and glassware and make sure that your boxes are taped at the bottom. Take a few sheets packing paper, one at a time, and crumple them into paper balls. This will form a layer of cushioning at the bottom of each box. Use enough balls to completely fill the bottom layer of the box.

Start packing your plates by laying each plate on a sheet of packing paper, folding the paper over the plate and then placing the next dish on top. Repeat this process until you have a stack of 4-5 dishes, then take additional sheets of packing paper and wrap them around the sides of the stack. Place your dishes flat inside the box.

Smaller dishes can be placed beside the larger plates in each box. Wrap each small plate in packing paper and fill in the sides of your box. If you have room at the top of the box, you can fill it will coffee cups or other small items. Just make sure that each individual piece is individually wrapped in a few layers of packing paper to prevent your dishes from cracking and chipping during transit.

Once the box is thoroughly packed, you will need to add additional cushioning for protection. Use additional paper balls to line the sides of each box and repeat the process adding a layer of dishes followed by a layer of cushioning. Make sure to leave enough room at the top of the box for a final layer of padding material before you seal the box.

Pack cups and glasses last, as they are lighter and more fragile. Glasses packed at the bottom of a box may crack under the weight, especially thin glassware such as wine glasses or champagne flutes. Each glass should be rolled in a sheet of paper with the ends of the sheet folded inside the cup or glass for extra protection. Pack them securely inside the box so that they will not shift during transit, adding extra padding between each glass. When packing especially fragile items, like wine glasses, you should make sure to leave them at the top of the box. For extra protection, you can purchase cardboard dividers, from a moving supply company, to hold your glasses in place during transit.

Repeat the cushioning process (paper balls), seal your boxes and don’t forget to mark the box as ”FRAGILE.” Draw arrows on the sides of your box to indicate the top of each box. If you follow these instructions and pack carefully, you should be able to safely pack all of your dishware and avoid any problems with breakage.