STEP 1 Preparing your packing box The first step is to prepare your packing box, which will probably have arrived flat-packed. When doing this, make sure the flaps at the short end of the box are folded over first, followed by the lengthways flaps. Make sure the flaps meet in the middle. Seal with the packing tape in the centre and at both ends, creating an H shape with the tape. Doing this correctly, will give the packing box its strength - you shouldn’t be able to squash it.

Turn the box the right way up and add a layer of scrunched paper to the bottom. (A little trick of the removals trade is to tape back the nearest flaps so they don’t interfere with you packing the box. Place the box on a safe surface that is a comfortable height to work with.

Also, by propping the box up with a reel of tape (so the box is at an angle) is a handy tip to stop the items slipping as they are loaded into the box (as pictured top right).

Prepare your work area with your packing paper laid out in front of you. Now you are ready to start packing the china.

5 Steps to Packing China Dinner Services

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A Squab Removals Packing Guide

You will need:•Astrongcardboardbox •Scrunchedcleanpaper •Packing paper •Tape

STEP 2 PackingtheChina-startingwith thedinnerplatesStart with your heaviest items at the base of the box. These include large dinner plates and large bowls. At Squab, we always pack plates in pairs as it makes them more stable. Place the first plate on top of the sheet of packing paper. Wrap a sheet of paper over the face of the first plate. Place the second plate on top, and fold over again.

Holding the plates together turn over and tuck in the overlapping paper neatly so the plates are now face down. Wrap the two plates with another sheet of paper. Always stack the plates on their sides, never on their backs (as pictured)

Continue wrapping all the dinner plates and pack into the box.

STEP 3 PackingChina-thenthebowlsNext pack the china bowls, wrapping in pairs in the same way as done for the dinner plates. Place in the box on their sides and make sure the weight is distributed evenly, as shown.

STEP 4 PackingChina-preparingthesecondlayerWith the dinner plates and heavier bowls at the base of the box, scrunch some paper and carefully wedge in any gaps. It’s important there is not any movement. And then using the scrunched paper, create a level layer to evenly cover the top of plates and bowls. Cover the scrunched paper with a sheet of lining paper.

STEP 5 PackingChina-finallythechinacups

The more delicate items such as china cups and saucers go on top. Place scrunched paper around any protruding or fragile areas, such as handles, lids etc. Holding the scrunched paper in place, thoroughly wrap the item with packing paper. In the case of a china cup, the scrunch is placed around the handle, then wrapped with the packing paper to form a neat parcel. Always try to remember where the handle is as it is important not to have it at the edge of the box.

When you have finished this layer, once again fill any gaps with scrunched paper and then add another layer of scrunched paper. Finally add a lining paper at the top and securely seal the box with the tape.

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