This article aims to provide a step-by-step guide on how to pack and ship a violin. After properly packing the violin, choose the fastest method of shipping available to ensure that the instrument arrives fast and undamaged.
Prepare a 24″ by 36″ sheet of small bubble wrap and a large sheet of tissue paper. It is best to use a double sheet of tissue for extra protection. Also, avoid wrapping a violin with just bubble wrap, as the bubble wrap will damage some varnishes.
Keep the strings at full tension so the sound post does not get dislodged during shipping.
Use folded paper toweling to secure the bridge and tailpiece.
Stuff two sheets of paper towel under the strings in front of the bridge.
Lay the violin on double sheets of tissue paper and wrap the instrument. Secure it with masking tape. Use tape sparingly and avoid the tape adhesive from getting in contact with the violin. Too much tape can cause damage to the violin when it is unpacked and the adhesive can ruin the finish.
Then, wrap the violin in bubble wrap and secure it with tape.
The violin is now ready to be placed in a box of packing peanuts.
Use a 30x14x10 inches shipping box size for a violin. Bigger boxes are OK but never use a box shorter than 30 inches or with a height less than 10 inches.
Fill half of the box with packing peanuts and place the violin in the box.
Fill the box to the top with packing peanuts and shake it gently to settle the peanuts and add or remove them to bring it to level full. Do not overfill or underfill it. Close box and tape shut securely.
Address the box and put “Fragile” stickers on all sides of the box. Your violin is now ready for shipping. The total weight should be just under 4 pounds.
It is best to insure your violin for full value.
This shipping method is much safer compared to shipping a violin in its hard case. Remember that a violin shipped in a hard case will more than double the weight of the box. A tight-fitting box around a violin case will land with much more force when tossed. If you do ship a violin in its case, be sure to put it in a large enough box to allow sufficient room for packing material to buffer the impact of shipping.