When packing hollow objects, such as vases, stuff them with packing material (newspaper balls are great for this).

When accepting packages from a commercial service, take the time to inspect any broken packages while the delivery person is still there. If you discover damage later, save everything - from the broken shards and "peanuts " to the box soaked with somebody's morning coffee.

2torial #0493: Learn2 Package Fragile Items (Continued) Tackle the tape issue You're going to need more tape than you think. When you rebuild a new box, you'll reform it by taping the seams, and reinforce it by taping the edges and sides. With a used box, reinforcement is even more important, so don't skimp. You'll even want to tape the corners of very heavily packed boxes. Reinforced tape has nylon filaments running through it. This stuff is really tough - excellent for closing and reinforcing particularly heavy boxes. Make sure it's at least 2" wide. Plastic tape is not nearly as tough as the reinforced kind, but works well for all but the heaviest boxes. The clear kind is generally a bit heavier than the brown kind, which makes for easier handling. In any case, make sure it's at least 2" wide; 3" wide is better. Paper tape is now less common: it needs to be wet with a sponge for the adhesive to stick. It's good for closing boxes, less so for reinforcing edges. Again, 2" to 3" wide is best. Step 4