Start with the right packing materials.
Before you pack, you'll need enough packing materials to keep your belongings safe. Not sure what packing materials you need? Hopkins and Sons, Inc. can tell you which packing supplies to buy, and the quantities you’ll need for your move. All materials below can be purchased from Hopkins and Sons, Inc.:
PACKING BOXES
- 1.5 Cube Box (small)
- Books, magazines, photo albums, canned goods, grain products, hand tools and other heavy items
- 3 Cube Box (medium)
- Small lampshades, small kitchen appliances, pots and pans, shoes, hats and small breakables
- 4.5 Cube Box (large)
- Medium lampshades and small or medium kitchen appliances
- 6 Cube Box (extra-large)
- Large lampshades and other items too large to fit into 4.5-cube boxes
- Dish Pack Box (China barrel)
- Dinner place settings, stemware, crystal or glassware, figurines, table lamps, vases, small pictures, mirrors and glass shelves
- Flat Screen TV Box
- Specially designed box that provides added protection when transporting a flat screen TV.
- Mirror Box (2 or 4 section)
- Pictures, artwork, glass tabletops (less than 7 square feet), dresser mirrors or other high value items.
- Upright Wardrobe Box
- For garments or floor-to-ceiling drapes
- Mattress Bag
- Crib, twin, double and queen/king mattresses
- Miscellaneous
- Pole lamps, golf clubs, fishing rods, rifles or shotguns
PACKING MATERIALS
- Corrugated or Interleaved Sheets
- For placement between dishes, saucers or other flat items and used to construct cylinders for delicate items.
- Tissue Paper
- Stuffing fragile cups and goblets, wrapping delicate figurines or artificial flower arrangements.
- Non-tarnish Paper
- Wrapping silverware, brass, and pewter items.
- Brown Kraft Paper
- Wrapping large items such as pictures, mirrors or lamp bases.
- Cushioned Paper
- Used for easily scratched items.
- Wax Paper
- For oil paintings
- Bubble Pack or Foam Peanuts
- For high-value porcelain figures, model ships or large crystal carvings
Hopkins& Sons, Inc. can make custom boxes & crates for special and valuable items needing extra protection.
YOU MIGHT ALREADY HAVE USEFUL PACKING MATERIALS.
There area few tools, like markers and scissors, that you probably already have in your house. A few weeks before your move, start keeping an eye out for:
- Plastic bags for parts; labels for identification.
- Foam peanuts, Styrofoam pellets or air-popped popcorn for filling spaces in boxes.
- Tissue and craft paper for wrapping items.
- Corrugated paper rolls for figurines and fragile pieces.
- Heavy-duty packaging tape (1.5 to 2 inches wide) for sealing boxes. Do not use duct tape or masking tape.
- Markers and labels for identifying contents in each box.
- Notebook and pencil for logging boxes.
- Scissors, sharp knife, or both.
NO MATTER WHERE YOU GET YOUR PACKING MATERIALS, FOLLOW THESE POINTERS.
- Use only strong, corrugated boxes with tops or flaps that fold shut.
- Packing boxes discarded by your local grocery store can save you money, but make sure they are clean.
- If you use old newspapers for packing, be aware the ink may rub off and stain items.
- Hopkins & Sons, Inc. will inspect items before they go onto the truck to ensure everything has the proper protection for safe transport. Be prepared to repack a box if our crew doesn’t believe it’s packed safely.
