Choosing the right packing boxes and packing paper for moving can make the difference between a smooth move and one filled with damaged belongings, broken glassware and unnecessary stress. Pack your books into a Tea Chest, and you'll end up with something nobody can lift. Toss your good glassware in a box without any packing paper, and you’ll be greeted with shards for wedding flutes. Get it right, and moving day will run smoother.
So, let’s talk about the boxes worth knowing about…how to use them, and the practical habits that the pros swear by, including why packing paper for moving deserves a spot on your supplies list long before you tape up your first box.
All of the boxes covered below are available through the Acrobat Removals online store – the same professional-grade packing materials the team will use for a move, so you know they're built to last.
A Port-a-Robe is a tall wardrobe carton with a hanging rail built into the top. Your clothes go straight from the wardrobe into the box, still on their hangers, and then straight into your new wardrobe. Now fussing around with hanger removal, folding clothes, and then re-hanging. An entire hanging rail can be transferred in a few minutes – a real effort and time-saver. An easy win for moving day!
A port-a-robe is also particularly handy if you've got suits, delicate fabrics, or anything that easily creases. After all, who wants to spend moving day ironing clothes that were perfectly wrinkle-free before the move?
A Tea Chest Box is large, double-walled, and built for items that take up a lot of space without weighing too much. Think:
The size is the whole point; instead of spreading your linen across four small boxes, it all goes into one Tea Chest, and you're done. Because they're a uniform size, they also stack cleanly in a moving truck, which makes loading faster and more efficient.
Avoid overfilling tea chests with books or heavy kitchenware, as their larger size can quickly become too heavy to lift safely.
Using the right cartons is one of the simplest ways to streamline your move. Tea Chest Boxes offer convenience, protection, and versatility – the ultimate combination for any move!
Read our full guide on Tea Chest Boxes.
Books, crockery, bottles, tools and anything dense belong in a book or wine carton. These boxes are smaller by design because a box full of books at Tea Chest size would be completely unmanageable.
This is where packing paper for moving comes into its own. Wrapping crockery, glasses, and anything breakable individually before they go into boxes will save a lot of damage on the other side. A sheet of packing paper between each plate, glasses wrapped individually, the odd awkward-shaped item bundled up before it goes in the box, saves the day.
Top tip: If you can't carry the box comfortably with one arm, it's too heavy. Split the contents across two boxes rather than risk it.
Remember to pack books flat or with the spine facing down to help protect their shape during transport.
People often need more packing paper than they think when moving, and using it liberally is encouraged! Packing paper is affordable; it protects everything from scratches and chips, and running out halfway through a pack is genuinely frustrating. Here are some top tips for utilising an abundance of packing paper for moving.
It's easy to assume any old box will do the job, but if you've ever had a carton bottom give out mid-carry, or watched a poorly made box slowly disintegrate under the weight of what's stacked on top of it, you'll know that's not always the case. Boxes that fall apart before you've finished the move don't just create extra work; they put your belongings at risk.
Premium packing materials are designed to last the distance. Whether it's twin-cushioned cartons that hold their shape under stacking or covers that protect furniture from scratches and scuffs, the right supplies make a noticeable difference for you and your removalist.
Acrobat Removals sources all packing stock from our own supply, the same materials used on every professional move, so you can be confident they're built to handle the real conditions of transit, not just light use around the house. From durable boxes and covers to tape and packing paper, everything is available through the Acrobat Removals online store.
And if you're working to a budget, it's worth knowing that second-hand boxes are also available at a discounted price – a practical option if you want quality without paying full price. Either way, once your move is done, any undamaged boxes purchased through Acrobat can be returned to the Sandgate depot for a refund.
Packing like a pro isn't complicated; it's mostly just having the right materials before you start and knowing what goes where.
Order your packing supplies from Acrobat Removals today!
Yes, provided the boxes are in good condition, with no moisture damage, soft corners, or weakened seams. The ones to watch out for are boxes that have been stored in a garage or shed, as humidity can quietly compromise the cardboard even when they look okay on the outside. For heavier items like books and crockery, it's worth using new or professionally sourced moving boxes to avoid a mid-carry collapse. Acrobat Removals also offers second-hand boxes at a discounted price, a good middle ground if you want reliable quality without the full cost.
Books should always go into smaller book cartons rather than large moving boxes. It comes down to weight – a Tea Chest packed with books becomes almost impossible to lift safely, and risks the box giving way entirely. Smaller book cartons keep the load manageable and are much easier for your removalist to handle efficiently. Fill them to around two-thirds capacity and use packing paper for moving to fill any remaining gaps so the contents don't shift in transit.
More than you think. A rough guide is around 2–3kg of packing paper for a standard kitchen pack, but the total will depend on how much crockery, glassware, and breakables you have. It's always better to overestimate – running short mid-pack is one of those small frustrations that throws the whole day off.
Quality packing paper for moving is useful for more than just wrapping items individually. Use it to protect delicate pieces, line the bottom of boxes, add layers between stacked plates, and fill empty spaces to stop items from shifting during transit. Ordering your packing paper at the same time as your moving boxes makes it easier to estimate what you need and get everything organised in one order.
Acrobat Removals supplies a full range of moving boxes, packing paper, tape, and protective covers through our online store, with delivery available across Newcastle and surrounding areas. If you'd prefer to pick up in person, the Sandgate depot is the place to go. All stock is the same professional-grade material used on Acrobat's own removalist jobs, so you're not taking a gamble on quality. It's also where you can drop off any undamaged boxes after your move for a refund.