When you pack a computer for a move, you must also consider all the computer accessories you might have, including a mouse, keyboard, scanner, game controllers, microphone, webcam, etc. (input devices), and a monitor, printer, projector, headphones, speakers, etc. (output devices).
When it’s time to move their printer, however, few people consider the trouble they are in. The right printer moving is essential whether you are relocating your office, putting items in storage, or setting up a new home.
Follow these steps to learn how to pack a printer for moving so that no problems of any kind occur during the house move.
Read More: How To Keep Printer Ink From Drying Out?
Table of Contents
How To Pack A Printer For Moving?
Step 1. Prepare the moving box
It’s fantastic news if you still have the printer’s original box from when you first purchased it. It should be noted that original boxes are made with fragile items in mind. Manufacturers’ boxes for printers typically have unique Styrofoam inserts that have two crucial functions during transportation:
1) They protect the item thanks to their extra thick insulation, and
2) They keep the item 100% immobilized inside the box.
Therefore, you only need to use that box to pack up the printing device if you happen to have the original printer box somewhere in your house (check all storage areas). You’ll need to locate a different box if not as a backup.
Find a sturdy cardboard box with four sides that are at least 4 inches larger than the printer; you’ll need that extra room to fit the printer after it has been properly cushioned.
Additionally, double-tape the carton’s bottom with premium packing tape as an extra precaution. You must make sure that it never does because having the moving box collapse under its own weight as you carry it to the moving truck will likely spell trouble for the peripheral device.
Step 2. Pack the printer cartridges separately
When moving your printer between two homes, never leave the toner or ink cartridges (for laser printers, respectively) inside. If you do, it’s possible for ink or toner powder to leak out of the cartridges while they’re being transported.
It’s critical to keep in mind that spilled ink or toner powder leaves unsightly stains on any surfaces it touches, stains that are extremely challenging to remove. In addition, ink splashes can seriously harm various parts of the printer, including the rollers, seals, and drums.
Therefore, by removing and packing the printer cartridges separately, you can reduce the chance of ink or toner spills.
FOLLOW the instructions in the printer’s manual to safely remove the ink or toner cartridge.
In order to add an initial layer of security, Wrap the printer cartridge in soft wrapping paper.
To catch any ink or toner powder that may still leak during shipping, PUT the printer cartridge inside a plastic bag that can be sealed.
Step 3. Secure the printer cables
When packing a printer for a move, it can be a hassle to secure the printer cables.
The power cable—the cord that you plug into the wall socket to power the printer—will be your first item. Almost always, the printer unit’s power cords cannot be removed and must be packed along with it. The power cable needs to be taped to the printer’s back in order to accomplish this.
Second, you’ll need the USB printer cable to link the printing device to the computer. Make sure to safely unplug it from the computer before removing the cords from the printer itself because they are simple to do so. After that, place the cable and the locked printer cartridges in the small printer accessory box.
Modern Wi-Fi printers only require a power cord for connection to a computer or computers, so you only need to worry about that if you own one.
Step 4. Wrap the printer in bubble wrap
Your printer is now prepared for packing for transportation once you’ve located a suitable box, taken out the cartridges, and fastened the cable.
Add more packing peanuts to the empty spaces surrounding the printer until they completely enclose it. You won’t have to worry about any small packing peanut particles getting inside the device and causing various post-move issues because you’ve already placed a top-layer plastic bag over the printer itself.
Use biodegradable packing peanuts whenever possible. Unlike plastic peanuts, which become brittle over time, starch-based packing peanuts decompose naturally.
If you run out of packing peanuts or if you have no peanuts at all, use wads of crumpled paper instead. The main objective is to surround the printer completely, from bottom to top to all four sides, with a thick layer of protection.
When the packing peanuts reach the top of the printer, CLOSE the box and use packing tape to seal it.
Moving Tips For General Printer
A container or bag should be used to collect all extra cables and parts. Put the plastic trays and extra trays of the printer with the cables if there are many of them. When you get there, label the bag so it is simple to find them.
Tape the doors and trays closed to prevent damage. While Scotch tape might be effective, it won’t hold up at all to the textured plastics used in many printers. The best option is to use masking tape, which will endure very well. To prevent the trays from popping open and breaking during transit, the tape is a necessity.
Transporting and unpacking your printer can be a breeze with these simple guidelines. You will be able to use your printer as soon as you reach your new location once all the necessary parts are in place.
Moving Tips For Inkjet Printer
It is beneficial to start by taking the ink cartridges out of the printer. Few people are aware of the mess they will make when the printer tips and the ink cartridges spill everywhere. This ink will leave stains on anything it comes in contact with, and you won’t be able to get the stains out. Simply place the printer cartridges back inside their original container if you still have them. As the ink will spill out if they fall over, be careful to keep them upright. It’s a smart idea to tape these containers upright inside any moving boxes. A zip-lock bag should be used to contain them.
If you don’t have the original containers, you can make a small container out of some aluminum foil and a few pieces of cardboard. Make sure to form a box by placing cardboard on each of the cartridge’s sides before enclosing it tightly in foil. To prevent leaks, place the improvised box inside a plastic bag. Make sure the contents are taped upright inside the box.
How To Move Laser Printers?
Because they don’t have a propensity to leak, laser printers are a little bit lighter to transport than inkjet printers. It might still be a good idea to take out the toner cartridges and put them in a separate container. Some of the toners in the printer could leak out if it is moved around too much while being transported. Even though cleaning it isn’t as difficult, you still want to keep the area free of toner spills. Your move has already caused you enough headaches.
Commercial laser printers are a completely different matter. It’s best to speak with the manufacturer for advice on how to move these substantial appliances. It’s probably a good idea to hire someone else to handle everything.
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