How To Pack Books For Moving

Anyone who has been an avid book reader from a young age knows that books are a real treasure.

There is an unsettling desire to buy or borrow books, so you know that you have different collections of books of different genres, and you can just immerse yourself in a good read. 

Everything is good until you have to relocate and figure out how to pack books to move without damaging them.

You must have wondered what makes packing books so challenging when the main task is packing a home, but let’s not judge a book by its cover. 

Due to their weight and fragility, packing books for a move can be difficult.

Knowing the best way to pack them can ensure they reach your new home safely.

If you are unsure about how to pack your books, you can contact a professional moving company to help you. 

In this blog, we will share several tips on how you can pack your books to move seamlessly and stress-free.

But before that, let’s take a look at the moving supplies and materials you’ll need.

What Packing Materials Will You Need 

You’ll need a few materials to pack your books. This will ensure the safe transportation of materials before you start the process. 

Packing Supplies List

• Small Moving Boxes
• Custom-Book Boxes
• Packing Paper
• Bubble Wrap
• Packing Tape
• Acid-Free Tissue Wrap
• Markers

Dos and Don’ts of Packing Books For Moving

The best way to pack your books before moving involves not creating overly heavy boxes but organizing your books and protecting them from damage. 

Here are a few do’s and don’ts that you can refer to before packing your books – 

DOs

• Pack the hardcover and paperback books upright. 
• Pack the oversized books flat (including photo albums, scrapbooks, and yearbooks)
• Wrap the books in acid-free tissue wrap; it’s not a must, but you can do it if you have books that are older or are gifted by loved ones. The tissue wrapping should be done in a way that the book covers do not touch each other. You can secure the tissue wrap with packing tape. 
• Add an extra layer of packing paper over the books for extra protection.

DONT’s

• Don’t move book boxes in foul weather. You don’t want your books to get wet just before you secure them in the moving truck.
• Don’t pack the books with their spines facing down; this will eventually damage the bindings. 
• Don’t pack the books too loose because they will shift during transit, causing them to be damaged. Use cushioning rolls and packing papers inside the boxes to fill the space. 
• Don’t pack the books too tightly, as if they are pressed against each other; they may get damaged during unpacking. 

Step-By-Step Guide On How To Pack Books For Moving

We know you must be exhausted thinking that wasn’t packing the valuables and glassware enough that now I have to pack the books, too.

But don’t worry; we will make the process easier for you. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to pack the books for moving. 

1. Sort and Declutter Your Books 

The first and foremost step before packing includes sorting and decluttering your books. There’s no way you’re going to like it, as it may involve giving up on some of them. 

Determine which ones you really want to keep (books that are gifted to you by your loved ones or the books that you read often), but you have to be honest with yourself.

The old college textbooks that you haven’t read for 10 years, you can give those up along with any “okayish” books or novels that you don’t read or probably won’t ever plan on reading. 

We know it’s hard for you to give up those, but you can either:

Donate

Donate them to charities; there are several charities and used bookstores that accept books in good condition.

Check with local libraries, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, daycare centers, and kindergartens, and they will accept all your books in good condition. 

Sell Online

You can sell them online; who knows, your old books might find a new home.

Once you’ve finished, go through your “keep the books” pile once more to have a look at the books that you can give away.

If not, that’s fine; just make sure the fewer books you have, the less time, energy, and money you are going to invest.

Moreover, you’ll have new books to add to your library.

Discard

Discard all the books that you don’t need and contact recycling centers for recycling books that are too damaged to serve anybody. 

2. Collect Your Book Packing Supplies

Before you start packing your books, you have to collect your moving boxes.

Be sure to use high-quality moving boxes (yes, you can use second-hand boxes), but be sure they are sturdy enough to carry the weight of the books, as books are heavy. 

If other boxes are stacked on top of a lightweight box, it may open from the bottom or be crushed during your move. Either way, your books may be damaged or torn. 

Secure all the packing materials you will need to pack your books for a move: small cardboard boxes in good condition, packing paper, and bubble wrap. Use acid-free tissue paper to wrap your most important books. 

If you don’t have good-quality book boxes, you can purchase new ones. Specialized book packing boxes can cost around $3.99 each.

Inspect all the boxes carefully for any signs of pre-existing damage, such as tears, weak spots, or moisture stains. If a box appears unreliable, discard it immediately.

When putting the books in the boxes, use crumpled paper, bubble wrap, or packing paper as space fillers to keep your books from shifting around.

Seal the boxes with strong packing tape. Once you fill them with books, ensure you have a black marker to label them.

3. Avoid Packing Books In Large Boxes

You must be thinking that packing books in large boxes will help you carry them efficiently, but what if we tell you that this would only make your move difficult? When you look at a book or a magazine, it may seem light, but when you start filling boxes with these books, it gets surprisingly heavy, right?

When you are packing books for moving, try to pack them in smaller boxes and limit your packing weight to 35-40 pounds (or less).

You’ll be surprised to know that carrying 10 lighter boxes is safer and easier than carrying five heavier ones, especially if you have to haul them up and down the stairs. 

Consider spacing your book collection amongst other lightweight items, namely (clothing and bedsheets) instead of piling the books altogether in one or two book boxes.

If you use books to fill the small gaps in other boxes, you will use your packing space more efficiently and distribute the weight more evenly. 

Support the bottom of each book box with packing tape just to be sure that the carton will be able to bear the heavy load of the books.

If necessary, tape the sides of the box, as the box becomes heavy when the books are packed together. 

4. Pack The Books In The Right Direction

The most common question that pops into anyone’s mind is whether it is better to pack books flat or upright.

The right answer is that the books should be packed upright—that way, they remain undamaged. 

• How To Pack Hardcover Books

Place the hardcover books upright in the box (just as you would place them on a shelf).

They should fit snugly, but remember not to pack them too tightly against one another, as you may damage a copy when you unpack them. 

• How To Pack Paperbacks

Pack paperback books flat or place them spine-first so that the paper edges face up. Avoid packing paperbacks spine-down, as this could damage the book’s binding and cause deformation.

Pack the oversized books flat with the heaviest book at the bottom and the lighter ones at the top with no more than 3 or 4 books per box. 

Keep each box filled to under 40 pounds to prevent damage to the box and possible injuries on the day of the move. 

Double-tape the bottom of the book boxes so that there is added safety to both the books and the box. 

To prevent the box from shifting during transit, use filling materials inside, such as crumbled paper and cushion rolls. 

5. Pack Your Rare Edition Books Carefully

Packing your books is one thing, but what if some of them are rare and valuable? Though we mentioned using acid-free packing paper to wrap books, if you have rare editions, you might want to take extra precautions.

If you have enough special editions, you can start by wrapping each book in acid-free paper and then wrapping it again with a second layer of packing paper. There are two ways to secure them carefully.

The first involves placing each book in a padded envelope and then in a normal moving box. The second involves placing your rare editions in custom-sized book boxes.

As soon as you fill the box with the books and other packing materials, cover it with a layer of packing paper. Then, close the lids and secure them with good-quality packing tape.

6. Pack Heavy Books in Suitcases

In most cases, packing books in small, sturdy boxes will work well, but if you want to think outside the box, try packing your heavy books in suitcases.

When packing for shipping, you won’t even realize that the moving box has exceeded the 40-lb limit and is already too heavy and unsafe to carry.

That is exactly why using suitcases is the most convenient option. 

Wheeled travel suitcases can move the heaviest books you own, including thick encyclopedias and dictionaries.

You don’t have to purchase new travel suitcases with wheels at the bottom to move your books, but if you have rolling suitcases kept in your house, then you’re lucky. 

Pack your heaviest books in suitcases just as you would pack them in moving boxes.

Save your heaviest books for your wheeled trollies, and if you usually pack your clothes in suitcases, pack them in boxes instead. Clothes are definitely much lighter than books. 

Ensure the heavy books inside the bags do not shift. If you are using packing paper and cushioning, roll them inside the bag to prevent them from moving. 

After everything is done, close the suitcase and zip it up. The best thing? You don’t even have to label the suitcase. 

7. Secure The Boxes

Before finally closing the boxes, ensure that you have used enough packing paper to fill any remaining spaces.

Books can easily shift during transit, so there should be no space left inside the boxes. After everything is done, tape the box closed and label it. 

If you are reusing old boxes, make sure you cross out the old markings so that there is no confusion about what the box now holds when you unpack it.

8. Load The Book Boxes In The Truck 

Load the boxes of books and other heavy items in the moving truck or vehicle with the help of someone.

If you are unsure about how to pack or load the books yourself, you can hire a professional moving company for the same. 

Ensure the boxes are loaded properly so that there is no chance of them shifting during transit. 

Do not stack the moving boxes unless they are properly secured so they can’t shift or tip over. Books are heavier than they seem, and if the boxes tumble, they can cause a lot of damage. 

How To Pack Books For Long-Term Storage

If you need to store your books, do so in climate-controlled storage units. When packing them for long-term storage, use acid-free boxes and paper to protect them from moisture. This is the best way to pack books for storage if you plan to keep them for a longer period.

Store them in cool, dry places away from direct light to prevent damage. Find storage units with extra space that can accommodate all your books.

Final Thoughts

Moving from one home to another can be exciting yet daunting at the same time.

It can add stress for book readers who want to pack all their books carefully and have a smooth move.

You need to decide whether you want to opt for DIY moving or hire a professional moving company. 

If you feel the whole moving process is overwhelming, you can get the help of a professional moving company that can handle all the complex tasks for you while you focus on other essential things. 

Professional movers are well-equipped and trained to pack your books efficiently.

They have all the essential packing materials and moving equipment to help you safely transport your books to your new home. 

You just need to choose the right moving company that can make your move stress-free. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I pack books without boxes?

If you are buying the moving boxes for other items instead of heavy books, then you can pack your books in alternative containers, such as suitcases, backpacks, tote bags, reusable bags, or dresser drawers, along with your clothes; just secure the drawers with packing tape so that they are shut properly.

2. What should I do with books that have loose pages or are damaged?

First of all, sort and declutter the books you don’t need. Donate books that are in decent condition to charities, libraries, schools, etc. If you feel they are not in good condition, then discard them. 

If you want to take those books with you, you can wrap them in packing paper, which will ensure that no loose pages fall out.

For added protection, you can either wrap them in bubble wrap or place them in a padded envelope before packing them in a moving box.

3. How heavy should the book boxes be?

Instead of using larger moving boxes, pack your books in small boxes.

This will make the boxes less heavy and easier to carry, especially if you are moving up and down the stairs.

Ideally, a sturdy box should weigh no more than 35-40 pounds. 

4. Is it better to pack books flat or upright? 

Most of the time, books should be packed upright, just as you would place them on the bookshelf.

You can pack the oversized books flat, with the largest on the bottom and lighter on the top.

Make sure there are no more than three or four books per box.