How to Pack Books for Moving Without Breaking Your Back

Choose the Right Boxes for Books

The number one mistake people make when packing books is using boxes that are too large. A large wardrobe box filled with books can weigh over 80 pounds — that's a recipe for a broken box bottom, a sore back, or both. Use small to medium boxes (1.5 to 2 cubic feet) for books, and keep each box under 40 pounds.

Book boxes from the SAQ are actually perfect — they're sturdy, have handles, and are the right size. You can also pick up small moving boxes from Home Depot on Sainte-Catherine or Canadian Tire. At Up & Out, we can supply appropriately sized boxes as part of our packing service.

Reinforce the bottom of every box with extra packing tape. Books test the limits of cardboard, so double-tape the bottom seam in an H-pattern for maximum strength. Don't rely on just folding the flaps.

The Best Way to Pack Books in Boxes

Pack hardcovers standing upright, spine against the side of the box, just like they'd sit on a bookshelf. This protects the spine and pages from bending. Fill any gaps with packing paper or bubble wrap to prevent shifting during transit.

Paperbacks can be stacked flat in layers, with the heaviest on the bottom. Alternate spine direction with each layer to keep the stack level. Never pack books with the spine facing up — the weight of other books will crack and damage the binding.

For rare, antique, or valuable books, wrap each one individually in acid-free tissue paper, then in bubble wrap. Consider packing them in their own small box with extra cushioning. If you have a collection of valuable editions, our team at Up & Out can handle them with the care they deserve.

Should You Downsize Your Book Collection?

Moving is the perfect time to edit your library. Be honest with yourself: will you re-read that thriller from 2015? Do you really need three copies of the same cookbook? A good rule is to keep books you love, reference, or plan to read within the next year — and donate the rest.

Montreal has excellent spots for book donations. The Word on Milton Street buys used English books. S.W. Welch on Saint-Viateur accepts used books too. For French books, many bibliothèques de quartier accept donations. Renaissance and the Salvation Army take books as well.

Every book you don't move saves weight, space, and money. At Up & Out's rates, reducing your load by even five boxes of books can make a noticeable difference in your final moving cost.

Labelling and Organizing Book Boxes

Label each book box with its destination room and a brief description of contents: "Office — fiction A–G" or "Bedroom — cookbooks and art books." This makes unpacking strategic rather than chaotic.

If you're particular about your shelving order, number the boxes in the order you want to unpack them. Some book lovers even create a quick spreadsheet of which books are in which box — it sounds extreme, but if you have hundreds of books, it saves hours of hunting later.

Mark every book box with a "HEAVY" warning on all sides. This tells your movers and anyone helping to lift with their legs and not to stack heavy items on top. Our Up & Out crews appreciate clear labelling — it helps us work faster and protect your belongings better.