The biggest challenge when traveling is figuring out how you will bring all the items you need with you. Monitors are fragile, large, and have a high demand for extra care.
How do you travel with one?
Before packing a monitor, you must consider its size, type, and available packing materials. You also need to be cautious of static electricity because it can damage the components of the monitor.
I understand that packing a monitor can be challenging, and in this article, I’ll guide you on how to pack one. Make sure you keep reading!
How to Pack a Monitor For Travel
1. Buy Packing Materials
If you have the original box of your monitor or if you can get one that’s similar to it, it will be easier to pack your monitor.
You’ll also need the following supplies to pack a monitor.
- Cardboard boxes
- Scotch or packing tape
- Plastic bags
- Permanent marker
- Ziplock bags for packing plugs, screws, wires, and small items that quickly get lost
- Bungee cords
2. Save Data and Unplug
Accidents are bound to happen, but you can mitigate the damage by backing up the data in your monitor to a hard drive or USB flash drive before unplugging.
Replacing or repairing a damaged monitor is possible, after all, but replacing lost information is impossible.
3. Reinforce The Bottom And Inside of The Box
Turn the box upside down and reinforce it using packing tape or paper. Ensure each seam is covered multiple times, and tighten the tape as much as possible to ensure the bottom doesn’t fall out.
A torn box is the last thing you want to deal with when traveling.
Repeat the reinforcement on the box’s interior, then turn it up and use clean, soft clothes to line the bottom of the box as padding.
4. Wrap The Monitor
Now that your box is ready, wrap the monitor with a blanket and use packing tape to secure it.
If you need more support, wrap it in another layer of blanket or fabric and tape it well.
You can also use bubble wrap or towels instead of a blanket.
Avoid woolen fabrics because they may be prone to static electricity.
Additionally, skip the static electricity-attracting bubble wraps, as they may spoil your graphic cards and hard drive due to the static buildup.
5. Place The Monitor Inside The Box
Carefully lift your monitor and place it in the center of the box. Do not pack the monitor upside down or on its side.
If you notice it’s not resting well on the bottom of the box, remove it and move the blanket until it’s even, then place the monitor back in the box.
Ensure you hold the monitor with your two hands and slowly lift it.
6. Use Packing Papers to Fill in The Remaining Space
If the box has any leftover space, you can fill it with foam, packing papers, towels, or even old clothes. This will ensure your monitor doesn’t slide around or tip the box when moving.
7. Close And Tape The Box
Once you’ve filled up the space in the box, close and seal it with tape.
You can now place the box in another larger box if you feel the need to do so. Label the box in capital letters as a fragile monitor. This will ensure the box is not mishandled when traveling.
How To Pack a Monitor Without a Box
The thought of traveling with your monitor without its box is scary. The last thing you would want is for the screen to crack.
If you’re careful, you can pack the gadget without a box. Here are the supplies you need.
- Packing peanuts
- Bubble wrap
- Furniture blankets
- Tape
- Bungee cords or moving straps
Then follow these steps.
Step 1: Wire Disconnection
Before disconnecting the monitor’s wires, take photos of the back of your monitor to guide you when reconnecting it.
Then do the following.
- Save the photos on dropbox or Google drive.
- Turn off the computer and unplug it from the switch.
- Unplug and disconnect all the monitor’s wires.
- Gently fold all the cables and tie them securely with rubber bands or tape.
- Label the wires with masking tape and a marker to know where each should be connected.
- Pack them in a smaller box and appropriately label them.
Step 2: Pack The Monitor
The following are steps to follow when packing a monitor without a box.
- Wrap the monitor in bubble wrap.
- Measure your monitor’s screen size and cut pieces of cardboard in line with the measurements.
- Tape the pieces, attach them to the monitor’s screen, and gently tape them. (Make sure the tape doesn’t touch the screen).
- Wrap the monitor with furniture blankets or clothes and tape to secure it.
- Place it in a cardboard box and seal it with enough tape, so the content doesn’t spill.
Tip: If you don’t have a cardboard box, place the monitor in your car set, cushion it with thick clothing after the above steps, and drive slowly.
Avoid bumpy roads so your monitor doesn’t experience internal or external cracks.
How to Pack Monitor Peripherals
When buying your monitor, it comes with a mouse, scanner, keyboard, hard drives, speakers, and other accessories. So how do you pack these peripherals?
- Before packing, use packing paper or bubble wrap to protect the accessories.
- Pack the items in their original boxes if they are available.
- Avoid pressing or twisting the cables too hard when folding them, so you don’t damage their cords.
- Always label the cables so you know where each should go and what device should be connected after unpacking.
- Mark the box as ‘’Peripherals’’ in permanent marker.
Can I Pack a Monitor in a Carry-On?
What if you want to bring your monitor in a carry-on? Can you?
Indeed, but there are some criteria to meet.
If traveling by plane, you must ensure the monitor’s size will allow it to fit in the space beneath you or the overhead compartment.
Additionally, you must keep the monitor in its case to protect its screen from damage in the luggage compartment.
You also need to know that TSA authorities may need to inspect the monitor, so be ready for that.
Conclusion
Traveling with a monitor isn’t as tricky as it sounds. If you follow the steps discussed in this article, you will arrive at your destination with your monitor in good shape. Be safe out there!