Seven steps to pack china
- Prepare the box. Use a small, sturdy box or a divided dish pack, tape the bottom and add three inches of crushed paper.
- Wrap each plate alone. Place the plate on a sheet of clean packing paper, fold the corners over, and wrap the plate in a second sheet.
- Bundle plates. Group three to five wrapped plates and wrap the bundle once more for extra cushioning.
- Stand them on edge. Place the bundles on edge, never flat, along the sides of the box.
- Wrap cups and bowls. Stuff cups with paper, wrap each one and pack them upright, with heavier items on the bottom.
- Fill the gaps. Add crushed paper until nothing moves, and add a layer on top.
- Seal and label. Tape the box, mark it Fragile and This Side Up on all sides and write the room.
China is thin, hard and brittle, and it breaks from pressure and from pieces touching one another. The remedy is individual wrapping, an upright position and a firm, full box. Take your time here; a rushed china box is a broken one.
Why on edge
A plate is strongest across its width, and weakest across its face. Packed flat, the weight of the plates above presses down on the plate below. On edge, the rim takes the load. This is the reason that professional packers always stand plates upright.
Paper, not newsprint, for fine pieces
Newsprint ink can stain porcelain, so use plain packing paper for the first layer. A newsprint outer layer is fine for filler. Bubble wrap works for delicate rims, with paper under it to protect surfaces.
Cups, glasses and serving pieces
Gravy boats, teapots and tureens have handles and lids that snap off easily, so wrap the lid apart from the body and pad the handle with a folded sheet.
Wrap each cup separately, with the handle padded. Stems of glasses need extra care; see how to pack glasses and how to pack dishes. Platters and large pieces are best packed upright in a box by themselves.
When to hire a packing crew
Heirloom sets and large collections are often worth handing to professionals. O'Brien's offers full packing, partial packing and box packing only, with an itemized inventory and condition report before packing. See full packing and partial packing.