How to Fold a Moving Box and Seal a Successful Move

A successful move is, above all, a safe move. And to have a safe move, you need to find safe movers to work with (licensed, experienced, and reliable professionals who will take good care of your items and won’t try to scam you) and to ensure the safety of your belongings (to provide them with adequate protection so they don’t get damaged during the relocation).

In order to achieve the latter, you need to know how to pack your items properly – and how to pack your boxes the right way.

Before you can start packing your boxes, however, you need to put them together – to assemble the packing containers so they’re ready to hold your belongings.

This may seem like a simple enough task, but doing it incorrectly may result in plenty of trouble – a box that is not assembled properly or sealed well may collapse or burst open during the move and cause damage to the items packed in it, damage to your property, and even personal injuries.

To avoid such unfortunate scenarios, you need to make sure you’ve folded your boxes correctly and taped them securely.

Read on to find out how to fold a cardboard box like a pro and how to tape moving boxes so that they stay secure throughout the entire relocation process – and ensure your safe and successful move.

How to assemble a cardboard box

When you buy new moving boxes, they will be flattened. You will need to fold them into shape and secure their bottoms to get them ready for use.

How to fold a moving box

Folding moving boxes is quite a straightforward task that doesn’t take long and doesn’t require any special skills or tools. All you need is some quality packing tape (see below), a tape dispenser (or a utility knife, or a pair of scissors), a comfortable place on the floor to spread out, and a few simple cardboard box instructions.

Here is how to fold a box for moving:

1. Determine which side of the box is up. There may be letters, symbols, or arrows that indicate the top side. If not, look for the top flaps – they will be connected by a small piece of cardboard (a tab that is meant to lock the flaps). Only the flaps at the top of the box have such tabs, so once you locate them, you will know which side is up;
2. Position the flattened box upright and flip the top flaps down against the box (so the two sets of connected flaps are folded down on the opposite sides of the flattened box);
3. Open up the box into its 3D rectangular shape – pull the corners of the box, located in the middles of the opposite sides of the flattened carton, away from each other. The top flaps will remain folded down against the box – the cardboard tabs connecting the flaps will lock them in place;
4. Flip the box over so that the folded top flaps are on the bottom. The four bottom flaps will be pointing up;
5. Fold the bottom flaps down – fold the two smaller flaps inward, then fold the two larger ones on top (make sure they meet in the middle – the less space there is between the flaps, the more stable the bottom will be);

6. Run a piece of tape down the seam between the folded bottom flaps (where the flaps meet). The tape should be long enough to cover about 2-3 inches up the sides of the box. For better security, add an extra strip of tape on each side of the strip on the middle, overlapping them halfway. Press the tape firmly to the cardboard surface, so it adheres well.

The box is now ready for use – you can just flip it over and begin packing. It is, however, a good idea to reinforce the bottom a bit more to ensure that it won’t collapse under the weight of your items.

How to tape the bottom of a moving box

There are several different ways to secure the bottom of a moving box with tape – all of them provide extra support, but each method has its own specific benefits. You should choose which one to use depending on the type of items you intend to pack into the box:

1) The H-taping method

The H-method seals the side seams of the bottom of the box, ensuring that nothing can get into the carton and ruin your possessions. Therefore, it is your best bet when packing delicate items, sensitive items, fragile items, and valuables.

• Run a piece of tape over one side of one of the side seams of the bottom of the box (where the larger bottom flaps are folded over the shorter flaps and some space remains between them), at about half the width of the tape (the other half width of the tape will extend over the other side of the seam – do not tape it down yet). Allow the tape to extend about two inches at both ends;
• Pinch the tape at one corner so it becomes like a triangle. Fold the overhang to the side of the box and tape it down (half the width of the tape will remain hanging out);
• Do the same on the other corner;
• Fold the untaped flaps of tape down against the box and press them firmly to the cardboard;
• Repeat the process on the other side seam of the bottom of the box.

2) The snowflake method

The snowflake method helps distribute the weight of the contents of the box evenly on the entire bottom of the carton, so it is the best option when packing heavy items for moving:

• Make an “X” with the tape on the bottom of the box, going from corner to corner in both directions (the “X” will go over the tape strip securing the bottom flaps);
• Make two parallel tape lines near the ends of the bottom of the box, perpendicularly to the long strip of tape in the middle (these last two tape lines will go over all other tape strips).

3) The diagonal strip method

Using the diagonal strip method is the easiest and most economical way to reinforce the bottom of a moving box. All you need to do is run a strip of tape across the bottom of the box (from edge to edge), diagonally to the tape strip that goes over the seam between the folded bottom flaps. This method will help you save tape, time, and effort, while still making the box stronger and sturdier.

Keep in mind, though, that the diagonal strip method does not provide as much support as the other above-described taping methods, so it is only safe to use when packing items that are not very heavy or very vulnerable to damage.

Bonus tip: It is easy to find used cardboard boxes for free, so you may decide not to buy brand new moving boxes but use second-hand cartons for your move. If so, it’s crucial to reinforce the boxes as much as possible – old cardboard boxes are weaker (as their structural integrity has been compromised from previous uses) and may fall apart during the move if not properly secured. You’re, therefore, strongly advised to use the H-taping method or the snowflake taping method to secure the bottoms of any old boxes you intend to use as packing and moving containers. (See also: The risks of using free moving boxes)

So, the best way to tape moving boxes depends on what will be packed in the box. In order to ensure the safety of your items, though, you need to not only tape the box the right way, but also to use the right type of packing tape.

What tape to use for moving boxes

When it comes to taping moving boxes, you may think that any kind of tape will do. Yet, that is not the case – some tapes don’t hold well, some are too weak to keep your boxes securely sealed, others can’t withstand heat or cold, etc. And if the tape tears or loses its grip, the box may spill open and cause damages and/or injuries.

In order to ensure the safety of your items and avoid accidents during your move, you need quality packing tape that will keep your boxes secure.

There are various types of tape you can choose from – shipping tape, filament tape, duct tape, scotch tape, masking tape, gummed paper tape, labeled tape, etc. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages and is most appropriate for a specific purpose – shipping tape is a good choice for taping boxes when moving locally, filament tape is well suited for taping heavy boxes that will travel long distance, labeled tape not only seals the box but indicates which room it belongs to, masking tape is safe to use on delicate surfaces, scotch tape is perfect for securing packing paper and other wrapping materials, etc.

Here is what to look for when choosing packing tape for moving boxes:

Strength

When taping a moving box, you want to prevent it from bursting open during the move – in other words, you want the box to withstand the weight of the items packed in it and to remain securely sealed throughout the relocation process. Therefore, you need strong tape – thick and durable – that won’t tear easily and will add to the strength of the box:

• Tensile strength (durability) – Tensile strength measures how much weight the tape can handle without breaking. When taping moving boxes, be sure to use packing tape with tensile strength of 30 pounds and up;
• Thickness – The thicker the tape, the more weight it can support – so you need to get thicker tape for your heavier boxes. (Packing tape thickness can be anywhere from 1.9 millimeters to 3.1 millimeters.)

Grip

As strong as the tape may be, it won’t keep your boxes secure if it doesn’t hold well. And to hold well, the tape needs to stick well – and to be wide enough to have a good grip on both sides of a seam.

• Adhesion – How well a tape sticks – and how well it adheres to cardboard, in particular -depends on its grade and the kind of adhesive it contains. The best tapes for cardboard boxes feature acrylic adhesives or hot-melt adhesives;
• Width – The wider the tape, the better hold it will have. The ideal packing tape for moving boxes is about 2-3 inches wide.

Temperature resistance

If you’re moving short distance, there will be no risk of your boxes being exposed to extreme temperatures for long – even if you’re moving in mid-summer or mid-winter and it’s scorching hot or freezing cold, your items will only travel for a few hours, so the temperature won’t affect the packing tape you’ve used for your moving boxes in any way. Therefore, you won’t need to worry about the temperature resistance of the tape.

If you’re moving long distance, however, your items will be on the road for a long time – and since most moving trucks aren’t air-conditioned and become very hot in hot weather and very cold in cold weather, this means that your boxes will be exposed to intense heat or bitter cold for days on end. In such conditions, the packing tape on your boxes may easily melt, break down, or lose its adhesion, and leave the cartons unsecured.

Therefore, if you’re moving across country in the summer, you need to pick packing tape that can withstand heat – and if you’re moving in the winter, you need to choose tape that can withstand cold.

To sum it all up – the best tape for moving boxes is strong, highly adhesive, and able to withstand heat, cold, and humidity without cracking or losing its stick.

Bonus tip: Use a tape dispenser

When taping moving boxes, you need the tape to be easy to apply – packing is very time-consuming, so the last thing you want to do when preparing your items for shipping is waste extra time fumbling with the tape (trying to keep it from splitting or sticking to itself, looking for the end that has stuck back to the roll, etc.). It is, therefore, best to use a quality handheld tape dispenser (a tape gun) that will allow you to assemble and seal your boxes quickly and efficiently.

Now you know the best way to fold boxes for moving. But how to seal a moving box so your items stay safely contained inside?

How to close a box

Once you’ve assembled a box and packed it full, it’s time to close it and seal it, so it’s ready for moving.

How to fold a box closed

The first thing to do after you’ve packed a box is to make sure it is not too heavy or overstuffed – the box should not weigh more than 50 pounds, should not be bulging, and there shouldn’t be anything sticking out over the top rim. If the box is overloaded, it will be too heavy to handle safely – or it may collapse when lifted, no matter how well secured the bottom is. And if something is sticking out, you won’t be able to close the box properly and seal it securely for the move.

When you’re certain that the box is properly packed, get a utility knife and cut the cardboard tabs that lock the top flaps. When the flaps are no longer attached to one another, you will be able to fold them and close the box.

Just like with the bottom flaps, fold the small flaps first, then fold the larger ones over them. Push down slightly in the middle to flatten the flaps and make sure they’re close together.

When ready, take the closed box and give it a gentle shake to check for movement inside it. If you detect any shifting, open the box and add some more cushioning in it to completely immobilize the items in the carton. Close the top flaps again and repeat the test.

Once you make sure that nothing moves inside the box, you can seal it. 

How to seal a cardboard box

All that is left to do now is to seal the box closed. Here is how to close a box with tape:

• Run a piece of packing tape down the seam between the folded top flaps, allowing the tape to extend over the sides of the box;
• Make two parallel tape lines near the ends of the box (on top of the center line, perpendicularly to it). Alternatively, you can run a strip of tape diagonally to the strip securing the top flaps;
• For extra security, you can use the H-method described above to seal the box.

Your box is ready – just be sure to label it properly, so you know what’s inside it and can take it directly to the room it belongs to when you arrive at your new home.

So, the best way to assemble moving boxes is to fold them properly and tape them securely. But what if you don’t have tape?

How to fold a box without tape

Even though using tape is the best possible way to secure a moving box and prevent it from spilling open during the move, you can make do without tape.

There are several different methods you can use to fold and seal a cardboard box without tape:

1) Use the interlocking flap technique

The interlocking flap technique makes it possible to fold boxes for moving without any adhesive.

If you choose this option, you need to fold the flaps differently:

• Fold down one of the smaller flaps first, then fold one of the larger flaps over it;
• Fold the other smaller flap over the folded larger flap;
• Take the last larger flap and tuck it under the first smaller flap – the flaps will overlap one another, closing the box securely.

You can use this technique with both the bottom flaps and the top flaps of a box. Keep in mind though the base won’t be very sturdy and will easily burst open if you put heavy items in the box. And the top won’t be securely sealed, so your items won’t be well protected and may even spill out.

Therefore, this method is only safe to use when packing lightweight items that are not very vulnerable to damage.

2) Use plastic wrap

Plastic wrap is your best bet for folding boxes for moving without tape. All you need to do is assemble the box, pack it full, close it, and wrap it in several layers of stretch wrap (making sure you cover the box from all sides). The cling film will wrap tightly around the box, sealing it off completely and creating a protective layer around it, preventing dust and dirt from getting to your belongings and keeping moisture away. The plastic material will even add to the strength of the box, minimizing the risk of it collapsing during the move.

Sealing boxes with plastic wrap, however, is a bit more difficult and time-consuming than taping them and the method is not as cost-effective.

Related: The many practical uses of plastic wrap for moving

3) Use ropes or straps

The simplest – and most efficient way – to secure moving boxes is to tie them down. You have plenty of options – nylon ropes, polypropylene ropes, moving straps, etc.

Ropes and straps offer an excellent solution for securing moving boxes. They provide a lot of extra support, don’t break easily, can be tied tightly around a box, and can be removed without damaging the carton.  

On the down side, tying down a box will take more time and effort than taping it. Besides, ropes and straps aren’t very cheap and you will need a lot of them to secure your boxes properly.

4) Use hot melt glue

If you don’t have tape, glue is your next best option for sealing moving boxes. The strong adhesive will hold the box together and prevent it from spilling open during the move.

The process is quite easy:

• Fold the box as you would do when sealing it with tape;
• Spread a line of hot melt glue parallel to a flap edge (the edge of one of the larger flaps, folded over the smaller flaps);
• Stick the flap to the smaller flaps under it;
• Do the same with all larger flaps (stick the bottom flaps first to create a stable base, then, after packing the box full, stick the top flaps to seal the box);
• Make sure you allow the glue to dry fully before lifting the cardboard box.

Your box will be tightly sealed (you will need to cut the cardboard to open it after the move) and your items will be safely contained inside. Unlike packing tape, however, the glue won’t add to the strength of the box, so it’s not a good idea to pack heavy items in a box sealed with glue.

5) Use staples

Staples provide a great way to assemble a cardboard box without tape or glue, but you will need professional gear to do it the right way. If the box is thin, though, you may be able to staple the flaps using your home stapler.

Needless to say, you can pack only lightweight, non-fragile items in a thin box, sealed with staples.

6) Use box latches

Wondering how to close a box without tape? Consider using box lathes – they are reusable, close securely, come in multiple sizes, and allow you to open the box without destroying it (so it can be reused).

The only drawbacks are their high price (you can get 10 box latches for about $40-$60) and the fact that they can only be used to close a box (you cannot secure the bottom of a box with a box latch).

Now that you know how to tape a box properly – and even how to assemble and seal a box without tape – you don’t need to worry about your boxes bursting open during the relocation. You’re ready to get down to packing and preparing your home for moving. Good luck!