1. Materials and Procedures
Artifact packing
Materials and Procedures

2. Select a designated packing area
Make documentation floor plans and photographs before you begin.
Know beforehand what size workspace you will need for packing.
Select an area with enough room
Choose an area close to where the objects are stored to avoid unnecessary handling.
Make sure the area is clean.
Cover your workspaces.

3. Packing basics Evaluate the artifact’s shape and size before packing.
Pack objects according to their weight, height, density & material type.
Heavier artifacts need additional supports
Place the heaviest part of the artifact low and close to the center of the container.
Place framed artifacts vertically with padding between them.
Separate parts of artifacts such as teapot with lids and wrap separately.
If possible, pack sets together.
Take apart artifacts with moving parts and wrap separately.

4. Packing basics continued
Pack artifacts of similar weight in the same container.
Wrap artifacts with acid-free tissue paper to act as an additional buffer against the packing materials
Fasten the tissue paper closed.
Tuck the tissue paper in around the artifact.
Do not make the tissue paper into balls or wads.
Label exterior wrapping with object identification information.

5. Appropriate packing materials
Don’t use materials that could damage the artifacts.
Materials coming in contact with artifacts should not stain, be acidic or abrasive, or off-gas damaging chemicals.
Never re-use packing materials on different types of artifacts as residues and dirt can be transferred.
New packing materials are always coming on the market. Always do your research before using any new materials for packing your museum artifacts.

6. Appropriate packing materials
Acid-free Glassine Paper
Good only for short term storage (30 days max.)
Stiff, translucent, and glossy.
Recommended for covering paintings, bottles with labels, and other friable-surfaced artifacts.
Use only new glassine paper since it deteriorates and becomes acidic over time.
Tyvek
Available in soft-textile like or glossy finish.
Type of high density polyethylene & is stable for long term use.

7. Appropriate packing materials
Cotton Knit
A good covering material. Also a good covering for foam support.
Available in rolls.
Unbleached Washed Muslin
Can be used to wrap sculpture and textiles.
Wash in hot water several times before using to remove sizing and make it softer.
Soft, Unbuffered Acid-free Tissue Paper
Used to cover basketry, metal, and textiles.
Good for making pads, filling empty spaces, and covering artifact appendages.

8. Appropriate packing materials
Mylar
Stable polyester film
Good for protecting paper artifacts
Has an electrostatic charge, so don’t use for pastels or charcoal drawings.
Blanket Pads or Quilts
Use to cover large sculpture or furniture.
Acid-free Folders
Used to contain unframed prints, photographs, and documents.

9. Appropriate packing materials
Bubble-pack
Plastic sheet filled with trapped air bubbles.
Bubble side must face away from the artifact’s surface because the bubbles may leave impressions.
Don’t use with sharp artifacts.
Use several layers to maximize padding.
Always wrap with acid-free tissue first before wrapping with bubble wrap.

10. Appropriate packing materials
Polyethylene Foam Sheets (Ethafoam, Volara)
Light, shock absorbing, chemically inert, and a barrier to moisture.
Sheets are available in various densities, thicknesses, and textures.
Use only white sheets not the blue or pink.
Polyurethane Foam
Shock absorbing and cuts easily.
However, it is unstable and good for short term storage.
Place a barrier such as acid-free tissue paper to minimize contact between the artifact and the foam.

11. Appropriate packing materials
Packing “Peanuts”
These should only be used when they are placed in plastic bags and used as padding in the containers.
Cellophane/Masking Tape
Both can be used to attach packing materials.
Don’t use for closing the outside of the container.
Pressure-sensitive Plastic Tape
Use to seal the outside of the container.

12. Selecting Appropriate exterior containers
Exterior containers can be made of metal, wood, cardboard, fiberglass, or high- density plastics.
The best containers are:
Puncture proof
Light proof
Watertight
Protective against shock or vibration
Good environmentally buffers

13. Cushioning inside the container
Use packing materials such as bubble wrap or foam blocks to absorb shock and vibration.
Always provide at least two inches of cushioning between artifacts and the walls of the container.
Allow three to four inches between very fragile artifacts like glass, ceramics, and between heavy artifacts.
When deciding how many artifacts to pack in one container, use common sense.
Consider weight, fragility, and environmental sensitivity factors.
For example, don’t pack metal items with ceramics.

14. Cushioning techniques
Double boxing
Wrap the artifacts and cushion them inside one box.
Pack the first box inside a second box at least two inches larger on all sides.
Fill all the spaces between the boxes with newspaper or foam.
Cavity packing
This process involves placing small to medium sized artifacts in hollows cut into layers of foam.
Trace shape of the artifact
Mark the shape on the foam with a pencil.
Cut out the contour with a bread knife or electric carving knife.
Cover the foam with acid free tissue paper to prevent abrasion to the artifact

15. Cushioning techniques continued
Padding Negative Space
Use this technique for less fragile artifacts.
Surround artifact with several layers of acid free tissue paper, and then wrap it with bubble wrap.
Place the artifact in the container and use pads of tissue, bags of packing peanuts, or soft foam to fill in the excess area.
Allow several inches between each artifact in the container and the ends of the container.
Larger artifacts will need more separation than smaller ones.
Cushioning Braces
A brace holds the artifact in place.
Make a brace by measuring the distance between the artifact and the container, and then build polyethylene blocks to fill in the space. Cover the blocks with acid free tissue paper. Then, place packing material on top of the artifact to prevent movement.

16. Before closing the container
Place packing materials above of the artifacts to prevent movement if the box is overturned.
Avoid too much compression so that the padding is not damaging the artifacts.
Padding should support not compress.
Lightly move the container to check for artifacts shifting. If there is movement, you must adjust or repack the container.
Create an inventory of all contents inside the lid of each container.
You may also want to include written instructions and photographs for unpacking the container if there are complex procedures for unpacking those artifacts.

17. Container labeling Write neatly on the top, “OPEN THIS SIDE”
Put arrows on the sides to let handlers know which side is up.
Add necessary labels to warn handlers and give info on how to handle to container.
Label fragile if artifacts are delicate
Label hazardous if there are hazardous materials.
Print specific instructions such as KEEP DRY, DO NOT TILT, HANDLE WITH CARE.
Attach a box content list to the container noting the box number, date packed, previous location, types of artifacts, condition, and separate or missing pieces.
Make sure all labels are secured with strong tape or adhesive.