Book lovers and collectors often face a few common struggles. First, there’s the constant temptation to buy or borrow more books, even when stacks of unread ones are already waiting at home. Then, there’s the way time flies when you’re lost in a great story. But when it comes to moving, the biggest challenge of all is figuring out how to pack books safely—without damaging them or ending up with an aching back.
Packing an entire home is already a huge task, so packing books should be the easy part, right? Well, not exactly. It’s more than just tossing them into boxes. A little planning goes a long way in keeping your collection in top shape and making the moving process smoother.
Packing books isn’t as simple as it seems. They’re heavy, sometimes fragile, and come in all shapes and sizes, making them tricky to organize. Plus, since they’re made of paper, they can easily get damaged by water. So, how do you pack them properly for a move?
We’ve got some practical tips to help you pack your books safely and efficiently. By following these simple steps, you can keep your collection organized and ensure your books arrive at your new place in great condition.
The first step in packing books for a move is to go through your collection and decide which ones you want to keep and which ones you can donate. This helps lighten the load and makes packing much easier.
How to Pack Books for Moving in 6 Easy Steps
By now, you might be thinking, “Packing fragile dishes is already stressful—do I really need to worry about my books too?” The good news is that packing books can be simple and taking the right steps makes the whole process smoother. We’ve broken it down into six easy steps. Depending on the size and value of your collection, you may not need to follow every step but they’ll help keep your books safe during the move.
1. Sort & Declutter Your Books Before Packing
Before packing, take some time to go through your book collection and decide what’s worth keeping. Focus on books you love, plan to read or hold sentimental value. Be honest—if you haven’t touched an old textbook in years, it’s probably time to let it go. The same goes for duplicate copies or books you didn’t enjoy. Instead of holding on to them, consider donating to charities, libraries or fellow book lovers who will appreciate them. This step makes packing easier and helps lighten your load.
After sorting, take one last look at your “keep” pile to see if there’s anything else you can let go of. If you’re sure you want to keep them all, that’s completely fine. Just keep in mind that books are heavy and the fewer you move, the easier and cheaper the process will be. Plus, you’ll likely add more books to your collection in the future anyway!
Before you begin packing, create a checklist to make sure you have all the supplies you need—especially if you have rare or valuable books that need extra care.
2. Gather Your Packing Supplies
Before packing your books, make sure you have the right boxes. While used boxes might seem like a good idea, be careful—if they’re weak or damaged, they could collapse under the weight of your books. A broken box could lead to torn pages, bent covers or even lost books. Keep these factors in mind when choosing your packing materials.
- Use small boxes to pack books. Larger boxes can become too heavy, making them difficult and unsafe to carry.
- Wrap valuable books in acid-free tissue paper to protect them from damage.
- Fill empty spaces in boxes with bubble wrap, packing paper or even crumpled newspaper to keep books from shifting during the move.
- Keep packing tape and a marker ready for sealing and labeling your boxes.
For packing supplies and sturdy boxes, STI Movers’ Green Box Solution is a reliable option. You can conveniently order online and they’ll deliver everything straight to your door with fast, free shipping!
A Smart Alternative to Moving Books
Want a different way to pack books? Think beyond boxes! Suitcases and rolling luggage can be a great option. They’re the right size to hold books without getting too heavy and the wheels make them easy to move. If you usually pack clothes in your suitcase, swap things around—put your books in the luggage and use boxes for your clothes instead. Since clothes are much lighter, this switch can make moving a lot easier!
The best way to pack books is to place them upright in the box, just like they sit on a shelf. However, larger books should be stacked flat to prevent bending or damage.
3. Pack Books the Right Way
Here’s a quick tip – Books should mostly be packed upright, just like they sit on a shelf. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tightly packed. Large books, however, should be stacked flat, placing the biggest ones at the bottom and keeping stacks to three or four per box. Avoid packing books with their spines or edges facing down, as this can damage their shape over time. Stick to upright or flat placements to keep them in good condition.
4. Extra Care for Rare & Valuable Books
Packing regular books is one thing but if you have rare or valuable editions, you’ll need to take extra precautions. Using acid-free tissue paper to wrap them is a good start but for added protection, wrap them again with packing paper.
From here, you have two options:
- Padded Envelopes: Place each book in a padded envelope to cushion it before putting it into a regular moving box.
- Custom Book Boxes: Use specially designed acid-free book boxes made for archival storage to ensure maximum protection during the move.
Both methods help keep rare books safe, so you can transport them without worrying about damage.
Book Packing Tip – Keep Boxes Small and Light
When packing books, always use small boxes and keep the weight under 35 to 40 pounds per box. This makes them easier to carry & prevents boxes from breaking under the weight.
5. Avoid Overpacking Large Boxes
If you have a lot of books to move, resist the urge to pack them all into big boxes. A single book may not feel heavy but when you stack dozens together, the weight adds up quickly. To make moving easier and safer, use small boxes and keep each one under 35 to 40 pounds. Surprisingly, carrying more light boxes is much better than struggling with a few heavy ones—especially if you have stairs to navigate.
Another smart way to pack books is to spread them out among lighter items like clothes and linens, rather than stacking them all in one or two heavy boxes. Placing books in small gaps inside other boxes helps maximize space and balance the weight, making the boxes easier to carry.
Keep your book collection organized during the move so that unpacking is easier when you reach your new place.
6. Make Packing Books Easier
If you have a large book collection, packing can feel overwhelming but a few simple tricks can help:
- Pack books from the same shelf together to make unpacking easier.
- Label each box with its destination (office, bedroom, study, etc.), so you know where it belongs in your new home.
- Use a dolly to move multiple small book boxes at once, saving time & effort.
- Pack some books in suitcases if you have extra luggage—wheels make moving heavy books much easier!
Pro Tip – Plan Ahead for Packing
Knowing how to pack books is one thing but making sure you have enough time to do it is just as important. Packing books, especially if you have a large collection, can take longer than expected.
For a more flexible moving option, consider using an STI moving services. It’s delivered to your driveway, so you can pack at your own pace. Once you’re ready, STI moving Company picks it up and delivers it to your new home, allowing you to unpack gradually without cluttering your space with boxes.
Dos & Don’ts for Packing Books the Right Way
A good packing strategy keeps boxes light, books protected and everything organized for easy unpacking. Here are some key dos and don’ts to follow:
✅ Pack books upright – This works best for small to medium-sized books, whether paperback or hardcover.
✅ Stack large books flat – Use this method for oversized books like photo albums, scrapbooks, coffee table books and yearbooks. Keep the stack to a maximum of four books per box.
✅ Wrap delicate books in acid-free tissue – While not required, this is a great way to protect older books, leather-bound editions or special collections. Wrap them carefully so covers don’t touch and secure the tissue with tape.
✅ Avoid moving books in bad weather – The last thing you want is for your books to get wet right before they go into storage or a moving container.
✅ Use a protective layer in plastic bins – If you’re packing books in a plastic container, place a layer of paper or cloth between the books and the sides. Sudden temperature changes can cause condensation which may lead to water damage.
✅ Group similar books together – Some books naturally fit better together, so try to pack ones of similar size and shape in the same box for a neater, more organized move.
❌ Don’t pack books with spines facing down – This puts pressure on the bindings and can cause books to warp over time.
❌ Don’t pack books with spines facing up – Just like packing them spine-down, this can also lead to warping and damage to the book’s structure.
❌ Don’t pack books too tightly – If books are pressed too hard against each other, their covers and pages can bend or get damaged. Leave a little space to avoid unnecessary pressure.
❌ Don’t leave books too loose – Use bubble wrap, tissue paper or even soft items like stuffed animals to fill gaps and prevent books from shifting inside the box.
❌ Don’t overpack boxes – Keep each box under 40 lbs so it’s easier to lift and move.
❌ Don’t stack heavy boxes on lighter ones – Heavier boxes can crush lighter ones, damaging the books inside.
❌ Don’t stress about perfection – Keeping things organized is helpful but if some books don’t fit neatly, just grab another box and move on.
Knowing your books are packed safely & moved properly will give you peace of mind.
In the End, Don’t Stress About Packing Books
Moving to a new home is an exciting experience but for book lovers, it can also bring some stress. Making sure your collection is packed properly is important but planning ahead and packing carefully will make the process much easier. Once you know your books are safe and secure, you can relax and focus on more exciting things—like setting up the perfect reading spot in your new home!
