There are several types of high-value and/or fragile freight that just needs a little more care than what is provided with standard delivery. Maybe it needs to be brought to a specific spot in the warehouse versus the usual shipping dock, or perhaps it's being delivered to a challenging destination like a small retail storefront. You might want the items unpacked and the packaging hauled away, or even want light assembly assistance from your courier.

If any of these is the case, then white glove shipping services may be what you need. These offerings can give you peace of mind and ensure your freight gets the level of required special treatment. But remember, successful white glove delivery is only as good as the packaging of the freight. Some carriers offer first-mile options such as help with packing or crating your items, but in many cases, businesses pack their own freight before it's picked up.

If you're packaging your own goods, these tips and best practices for some of the most typical items requiring white glove delivery can help set your freight on the path to freight shipping success!

Fine Furniture White Glove Packaging Tips

Bulky, heavy and high-value fine furniture ticks most of the boxes of why a shipment might require white glove treatment. Here's what you will need to consider when packaging freight:

Shipping materials:

• Sturdy boxes: Opt for sturdy, double-walled cardboard boxes that can withstand the weight and size of your furniture. Reinforce the bottoms with extra tape for added strength.
• Corner protectors: Flat items, including fine furniture, have vulnerable corners. Use foam or cardboard corner protectors to reduce the risk of warping or scoring during transit.
• Furniture blankets or moving pads: Wrap furniture in thick blankets or pads to protect against scratches and impacts.
• Corrugated cardboard sheets: These can help with layering and distributing weight as well as keeping the tops of shipments dust-free during shipping.
• Customized wooden crates: These provide optimal protection and can be tailored to the specific dimensions of your pieces.
• Other supplies: Packing tape, bubble wrap, stretch wrap, plywood boards, pallets, straps or bands

Packing tips:

• Disassemble larger furniture items for easier handling during transit and less chance of damage.
• Pack small and fragile parts separately, with plenty of padding.
• Place larger/heavier items on the bottom of the pallet.
• Secure the furniture for transit using strong straps or ties so they don't shift during transport.
• Carefully label and number the pieces for easier unpacking (and for documentation in case anything goes awry during shipping).

White Glove Packaging Tips for Valuable Jewelry or Heirlooms

For priceless, irreplaceable items, safety during transit is even more critical.

Shipping materials:

• Corrugated box: For smaller items, right-size your packaging so the items have less room to shift inside it during transport. Creating a custom box size for jewelry is easy with online design tools.
• Custom wooden crate: For larger pieces, a customized crate is ideal.
• Custom inserts: Secure heirlooms and jewelry even further with inserts specifically tailored to their shape.
• Bubble or foam padding: To prevent items from moving around, surround them with padding that will stay in place (unlike packing peanuts).
• Cotton or tissue paper: You don't want items getting even a scratch from rubbing against the walls of the box, so make sure delicate surfaces are wrapped in something soft.
• Other supplies: High-quality packing tape and corner protectors, plywood boards, pallets, straps or bands and the finishing touches to proper white glove packaging.

Packing tips:

• Before packing, carefully examine each item, and take photos from multiple angles for documentation and insurance purposes.
• For larger heirlooms, as with furniture, carefully disassembling them and packaging parts separately with plenty of cushioning can reduce the risk of damage during transit.
• Prominently labeling containers "fragile" and "handle with care" is even more essential with this type of shipment.
• For special and luxury items, the package is the first impression. Make the unboxing experience beautiful and memorable by putting thought into the appearance of the packaging.

Fine Art and Sculpture White Glove Packaging Tips

White glove packaging for art is an artform in itself!

Shipping materials:

• Foam core: Foam board or foam core is a lightweight material available in different degrees of thickness that can easily be cut.
• Acid-free paper (Glassine): Acid-free, pH neutral paper (glassine is a commonly used type) is essential for protecting art during shipping. Not only does it protect surfaces from rubbing against packaging, it won't react with (and potentially ruin the appearance of) artwork. Tissue paper is not recommended.
• Cushion wrap: Sculptures should be encased in at least two layers of this padding.
• Packing peanuts: Fill the voids around sculptures so they move less within packaging during transit.
• Customized crates: For valuable art or sculptures, consider using customized wooden crates tailored to the specific dimensions of your pieces.
• Other supplies: Packing tape, corner protectors, plywood boards, pallets, straps or bands.

Packing tips:

• Give your art literal white glove service: Wear clean white cotton gloves when handling the pieces to keep from touching them directly.
• Create a support layer "sandwich" for artwork frames using foam or other packaging material.
• For sculptures, fasten the edges of the bubble padding to itself with high-quality tape.
• Don't forget the "fragile" labels—use several to make sure they're seen!

Tradeshow Materials Packing Tips

When preparing for a tradeshow, proper packaging helps ensure a smooth and successful event.

Shipping materials:

• Large, corrugated boxes: All loose materials need to be in boxes and should be consolidated into as few packages as possible for less handling—it's easier on your materials, many of which may need to be reused at multiple shows, and it can cut down on costs.
• Padding and peanuts: Secure displays and other materials so they don't shift during transit to help keep them looking good as new.
• Other supplies: Packing tape, plywood boards, pallets, straps or bands.

Packing tips:

• Check your exhibitor manual for any rules or regulations related to your shipment, whether it's the packaging, shipment size, or designated arrival dates, times and locations.
• Label everything clearly so your materials don't get mixed up with or lost among all the other exhibitors' shipments.

Large Household Appliance Packing Tips

Appliances can be as large and bulky as furniture, but their inner workings are as fragile as fine art, so proper packing is critical.

Shipping materials:

• Heavy duty corrugated cardboard boxes or wooden crates: Use appropriate-sized boxes or crates for each appliance.
• Bubble wrap and/or shipping blankets: Securely wrap the appliance to avoid scratches, dings or shifting during transit.
• Corrugated cardboard inserts or engineered polystyrene foam: These extra measures, customized to the size of the appliance, can hold items in place more securely.
• Other supplies: Pallets, sturdy packing tape, stretch wrap, straps or bands.

Packing tips:

• Remove any easily detachable parts (shelves, trays, etc.) and pack these attachments separately in boxes.
• Use packing tape to secure doors, drawers, shelves, washer drums, knobs, and any other small or movable parts.
• Use a packing base to keep your load stable and oriented correctly, arrange components on the pallet by weight, and use stretch wrap to secure the entire pallet.

Expensive Electronics White Glove Packing Tips

High-value electronics have special considerations when being prepared for shipment.

Shipping materials:

• Sturdy, crush-resistant boxes: Select an appropriate-sized box that fits your electronics snugly. Avoid oversized boxes to prevent movement during transit.
• Cushioning: Wrap each electronic item individually in bubble wrap to protect against impact and vibration. Use foam inserts to fill empty spaces within the box and provide additional cushioning.
• Anti-static packaging materials: If your electronics are sensitive to static electricity, these specialty materials can prevent damage.
• Other supplies: Pallets, sturdy packing tape, stretch wrap, straps or bands.

Packing tips:

• Disconnect any removable parts (such as cables, batteries or accessories) and pack them separately.
• Take extra care adding protective layers over buttons and other delicate components.
• High-quality packing tape helps ensure the package is securely sealed to prevent moisture or dust from entering.

GlobalTranz Can Help You With White Glove Packaging and Final-Mile Delivery Options

Preparing shipments for pickup is one of the most vital components of a successful shipping journey. If you want extra assurance that your white glove shipments are properly packaged, many carriers can assist with packaging, crating and inspecting your freight before it begins its journey. Or you can call in the freight shipping experts like us!

A third-party logistics (3PL) provider like GlobalTranz can connect you with a broad network of vetted carriers well-qualified to handle your most precious shipments. Connect with an expert to get a custom shipping consultation.