Packing Materials & Supplies in Phoenix, AZ
Which boxes you need, what each one is for, and what’s worth paying for. Planning a professional pack instead? Request quotes from local providers.
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How many boxes will you need?
Online calculators estimate by square footage, but square footage is the wrong variable — density is. A home lived in for decades needs far more cartons than a recent move-in of the same size, and most calculators quietly leave out the garage.
A practical rule: when in doubt, more small boxes and fewer large ones. Large cartons filled with books are a common reason boxes fail. If a professional provider is packing, ask whether materials are included in their rate or billed separately.
What each box is for
| Carton | Typical size | What goes in it |
|---|---|---|
| Small (book box) | About 1.5 cu ft | Books, tools, canned food, records — anything dense |
| Medium | About 3 cu ft | The default: kitchen goods, toys, small appliances |
| Large | About 4.5 cu ft | Bedding, pillows, lampshades — light and bulky only |
| Dish pack | Double-wall | China, glass and stemware — with cell dividers |
| Wardrobe | With hanging bar | Hanging clothes straight off the rail |
| Mirror carton | Adjustable, flat | Framed art, mirrors and glass tops — travels on edge |
| TV / lay-flat carton | Adjustable | Flat panels and large artwork |
The two most often skipped and then regretted: dish packs (a standard medium box isn’t double-walled) and wardrobe boxes.
What’s worth paying for
- Worth buying: dish packs with cell dividers, wardrobe cartons, mirror cartons, unprinted packing paper — the cheap versions are genuinely worse.
- Fine from anywhere: plain small and medium cartons, tape and markers.
- Free if you ask around: newspaper as void fill — but never against china, glaze or gilt, because the ink can transfer.
- Often skip: pre-made “moving kits” by box count, which tend to be the wrong mix for a real house.
- Often forgotten: stretch wrap for drawers and cables, and a contrasting tape color for “open first” boxes.
Rules of thumb
- Books go in small boxes only.
- A sealed dish pack should have no movement when you tilt it.
- Plates, art and glass tops travel on edge, never flat.
- Keep any single carton to a weight one person can lift safely — split heavy loads across two boxes.
Packing materials — questions
Should I buy boxes or have a provider supply them?
If a provider is packing, they usually bring materials — ask how they’re charged. If you’re packing yourself, buy the specialty cartons and source plain boxes anywhere.
Are supermarket boxes OK?
For light, non-fragile items. They’re often weak and odd sizes, so avoid them for heavy or fragile things.
Is newspaper safe for dishes?
As void fill, yes. Against glazed or gilded china, use unprinted paper instead.
Can a provider pack just the fragiles?
Often, yes. See fragile packing.
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