If you have your original flat-screen TV box, good for you. This is the best way to pack your flat screen TV for a move. But what are you supposed to do if you don’t have the original box? Before you freak out, read on. We’ll give you detailed tips and tricks on how to pack and move a flat-screen TV without the original box.
If You Don’t Have the Original TV Box
Like most of us, you are probably not so fortunate as to have kept the original box for your TV. We get it – the box is big, it gets in the way, and why the heck do you need more empty boxes lying around the garage for the next 5 years? But that’s okay. If you don’t have the original box for your TV, you can still move it safely to your new home without the risk of scratching the screen, having it fall over in the unit, or worse. You can even make your own TV packing box.
Tools you’ll need to make a TV box for moving:
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
- Moving blanket
- Box cutter
- Wardrobe box
Follow these steps on how to move a tv in order to safely pack and move a flat-screen TV without the original box by making your own flat-screen tv moving box.
- Dismount the TV and remove the stand – it’s best to just remove any delicate plastic pieces before you pack
the TV. The base can usually just be unscrewed and set aside. You’ll want to wrap this up and eventually pack it with the TV so it doesn’t get lost. - Wipe down the screen – by removing any visible dust and debris, you’ll help make sure that no scratches occur during transit
- Label and disconnect all cables – if you have a lot of things plugged into your TV, you might as well go ahead and label them so you save yourself some headache when you’re ready to set the system back up again. At the very least, snap a photo of the backend of the TV so you see what ports were filled or left empty.
- Wrap the flat-screen TV loosely with packing tape, sticky side out – this will make more sense when you get to step three. Just remember, do NOT wrap the sticky side towards the TV.
- Wrap the TV with bubble wrap – now you’ll see what step four was all about. The bubble wrap should stick nicely to the tape, which will prevent it from slipping around.
- Wrap the TV with a moving blanket – you might need two blankets depending on how large your TV is. Wrap the TV with the blanket and secure the blanket with tape. Make sure to cover the entire front of the TV so the screen is fully protected.
- Prep the box – if you can, find a box that is relatively close to the dimensions of your TV. Some moving companies sell flat-screen TV boxes. If you cannot find one, purchase 1-2 wardrobe boxes instead. You can cut these and use them to create your own DIY flat-screen TV box. Make sure to adequately seal all sides of the box with packing tape to ensure it withholds its integrity.
- Place the TV in the box and pad accordingly – When you move a flat-screen TV put the TV in your DIY box and make sure there is no wiggle room. If needed, add more bubble wrap to fill in the gaps. Make sure to put your TV stand in the box too so you don’t lose it.
Pro Packing Tips
- Pack the remote and power cord with the TV
This seems like a no-brainer, but believe us when we say we’ve heard plenty of stories of someone getting to their new home only to realize they lost the power cord or the remote. Just do yourself a favor and pack those with the TV itself.
- Sharpie is your friend
Use a sharpie or other permanent marker to label the TOP and FRONT or SCREEN of the television. This will help when you go to move and pack the TV, since you’ll know how to orient the box and which side is the most delicate. Additionally, if you’re packing multiple TVs you can label them accordingly (aka “Living room TV, guest room TV” and so on). If you’re moving with roommates, put your name on the TV that is yours so you can just move it right to your new room without having to unpack it first in order to identify it.
- Place the packed TV strategically within your unit
You’ll want to keep the packed TV box upright when you move, not lying on its front or back with things stacked on top of it (this will just break your screen, trust us). If possible, wedge the TV between other boxes so it is snugly surrounded on all sides and won’t wobble during transit.
- Consider humidity
If you need to move a flat-screen tv internationally or are packing the flat-screen TV for long term storage, you’ll want to think about humidity and how to keep it away from your electronics. Purchase some silica gel packets and place them around the TV before wrapping it, as this will help absorb any moisture that might enter the box over time. We hope we’ve helped you learn how to pack a tv for moving and made at least one moving stress a little easier.
UNITS Moving and Portable Storage offers portable storage in San Jose and portable storage in Brentwood and the rest of the Bay Area.
