How to label moving boxes

The one thing everyone keeps talking about during the move is organization. You might often hear sentences like “Stay organized” and “Plan in advance”. This is true because the moving process is complicated and things can easily go wrong. There isn’t a single person in the world that hasn’t made at least one mistake when moving. Naturally, you want to avoid those mistakes and ease the relocation. However, sometimes too much information can be a bit overwhelming. So before you proceed to bigger tasks take a deep breath and start by setting achievable goals. Complete one small task at a time. Begin with something basic – learn how to label moving boxes or plastic bins.

 

It seems insignificant, but it can actually make a huge difference. There are different ways and some of them will be more suitable than others depending on your needs. If you figure out the right way to label moving boxes, you’re one step ahead to being more organized during this hectic time. Besides packing better, it will also save time after your relocation is done and the unpacking part comes. 

Keep reading to get some top tips on how to label your moving boxes.

Things to do before you label moving boxes

Choose proper moving boxes

You’ve got to start somewhere, and we’ll tell you where exactly. First of all, you have to get your moving boxes Brooklyn. Think about the things you need to pack in them and how many boxes approximately you will need. Some people prefer to pack their clothes in suitcases, and some like to pack them in boxes. Books, small kitchen appliances, kid’s toys… those are some of the most common things that usually go in moving boxes. Based on this, there are many different types of moving boxes, and not each will suit your needs. So your first step is to decide which type you need. You might prefer cardboard over plastic. Maybe you have larger or oddly-shaped items so extra-large boxes are required or maybe fragile details need more small boxes? Perhaps you care about the environment and you want to use eco-friendly boxes.

These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before you purchase a significant amount of boxes. Remember to pack in time because everything should be packed when the moving day comes. You don’t want to be left with extra stuff when movers arrive, so leave some time in case you need to get additional materials for packing.

Talk to your movers

If you’ve hired a moving company to help you out, discuss the matter of moving boxes with them beforehand. Some of them may provide them for you, and buy them from you once the move is done. Some will not offer these services, but in any case, they can help you and give you advice. For example, they may know where to get free cardboard boxes. They might not at least where to get cheaper ones. On the other hand, your fine art movers Brooklyn will advise you on the type of boxes or protection you need for your art. Experienced professionals know every trick in the book, and that’s why you should go to them for tips.

Things to get before labeling moving boxes

Apart from the obvious (boxes), there are other little things you need to purchase before you start to label moving boxes. Some of them are:

Good quality markers

This one goes without saying. You need something to write on the boxes with. Preferably, the markers should be waterproof (in case it rains on moving day). If you want to go the extra mile, buy a few different colors. This is especially handy if you’re going to color-code your moving boxes. Blue for the bedroom, green for the kitchen, red for the living room… You get the point.

Use markers and tape in different colors when packing and labeling boxes.

Heavy-duty tape

Again, this is a no-brainer. Spend an extra dollar or two when buying tape. You want your items to be extra safe during transport. If you choose poor quality tape, it might lead to breaking and you don’t want things to fall out during your moving process. So skip a scotch tape and purchase a proper and sturdy heavy-duty tape that will keep boxes sealed.

Moving labels

This step is optional. If you have very bad writing or you simply prefer not to write, you can skip markers and get moving labels instead. You can purchase them from any office supply store. You can also get label makers and make them yourself. There are plenty of templates online that you can download and print free of charge.

Different ways to label your moving boxes

Of course, there isn’t one right way you can do this. There are various methods you can pick from, or you can mix and adapt them for you, all while making your moving process less confusing. Here are a few most often methods:

Color-coding method

When we discussed markers, we mentioned that you get them in a few different colors. This is because you can color-code your moving boxes. Using markers in different colors for each room can make the packing and unpacking process much easier. If you want to go the extra mile, you could also buy tape in matching colors. This way, it’s much easier for you and your Brooklyn movers to know which boxes go together.

Numbering method

You’ve only got a black marker? No problem. There are other ways to ensure you have labeled your moving boxes properly. For instance, you can use the numbering method. It’s very likely that you will have multiple boxes for each room. If you’re afraid of losing or misplacing any boxes during transport, this is the method that will be the most helpful. Label each box with their room (Kitchen, Bathroom, etc.) and a number of the box and the total number of boxes for that room (1/15, 2/10, and so on.). This way, you will notice if a box is missing well before you need to unpack.

Priority method

To be honest, not every box will be unpacked right after you move. Some will stay in the hallways for quite some time. However, there are things you will need right away, whether you’ve moved your office or your home. If you label moving boxes by their priority, you will know exactly which you should unpack first. Label them “H”, “M” or “L” for high, medium or low priority.

Other useful tips to consider when labeling moving boxes

Now that you’ve chosen your preferred labeling method, the work is still not done. There are a few extra details you should keep in mind.

Write on the side

Rather than writing on top of the box, use its sides.  It doesn’t matter if you’re using a marker, stickers, or moving boxes labels. Whichever method you are using, it will be easy to read even if the boxes are stacked on top of each other.

Label multiple box sides

Again, when all the boxes are gathered and neatly ordered in the moving truck, sometimes the side with the label can be hard to see. Label a few sides of the box instead of just writing on the top. This will help your movers so they don’t have to turn each box around multiple times.

Write “Fragile”

The most important thing when it comes to packing fragile items – mark all the important boxes by writing “fragile” on them. It doesn’t matter if it’s plates or expensive art. Everything should be properly secured and protected during the move. Those who work in art shipping NYC will tell you also to draw an arrow next to the label, showing the right side up. No one wants to deal with broken or damaged things on their moving day. It will also be easier for your movers to get a clear message of which boxes require special handling and to keep the right side up.

You’re now all set to label moving boxes! Take our tips into account and you’ll see that packing, transferring and unpacking will be so much easier when you know where things are. If you decide along the way that you prefer professionals to take care of the whole process, there are also full-service movers. They will do the transport as well as packing your household items. Dorothy and Martha movers are offering moving services whether you are only changing neighborhood or moving long-distance. You can contact us and get a free moving quote for your upcoming move.