14 Apr 2026

How to pack museum objects safely

In the in-person event, the participants learnt how to take what are known as ‘tissue puffs’ and ‘tissue rolls’, which are used when packing museum objects.

You can try this at home, using any tissue- or crepe-like paper you have lying around!

Video here by National Museum Scotland - How to make and use tissue puffs | National Museums Scotland

 

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More types of packing

Plastazote is a very versatile material, which is in every curator’s and conservator’s arsenal. When working with mixed collections, something employing all types of packing techniques is essential - method-statement-pinning-Feb25.docx

If working with archival, photographic or works on paper collections, Melinex is the most commonly used material, as this is a non-static sleeve which protects the object inside.

Object packing | National Museums Scotland

Packing museum objects - Collections Trust

Packing museum objects

Introduction to packing collections - Collections Trust

Packing - using plastazote foam and using polyester wadding videos - Collections Trust

Packing museum objects for moving - Collections Trust