The Ultimate Guide to Packing a Custom Guitar for Safe Shipping

Updated at: 10/05/2025

Shipping a custom guitar can be a nerve-wracking experience. Your instrument, a meticulously crafted piece of art and a finely tuned machine, deserves the utmost care during transit. A single bump or drop could result in irreparable damage, rendering your prized possession unplayable. This is why understanding the proper techniques for packing your guitar is paramount. Forget flimsy cardboard boxes and haphazard bubble wrap; we’re about to delve into a comprehensive guide designed to ensure your guitar arrives at its destination in pristine condition, safe and sound.

This ultimate guide will take you through a step-by-step process, providing detailed instructions and crucial tips for safely packing your custom guitar for shipping. From selecting the right materials to securing the instrument within its protective casing, we'll cover everything you need to know to guarantee a smooth and worry-free journey for your valuable instrument. Let's begin!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Hardshell case
  • Styrofoam insulation foam sheet (4x8)
  • Hacksaw blade
  • Duct tape
  • Sharpie
  • T-square
  • Spray paint can
  • 80-grit sandpaper
  • Bubble wrap
  • Heavy-duty shipping tape
  • Shipping box
  • Craft paper
Safety Guidelines
  • Use a hard-shell case specifically designed for guitars. Soft cases offer minimal protection and are unsuitable for shipping.
  • Thoroughly cushion the guitar inside the case with packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or other suitable materials to prevent movement during transit.
  • Clearly label the package as "FRAGILE - MUSICAL INSTRUMENT" and include your contact information inside and outside the case. Consider using insurance.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Foam Insert

    • Measure the guitar case cavity to determine the dimensions of the foam insert (13 1/4 inches wide x 14 1/2 inches long in this example).
    • Cut the styrofoam to the measured dimensions using a hacksaw blade with duct tape for a handle. Keep the blade vertical to avoid leaning and ensure a clean cut.
    • Place the foam insert into the case cavity and trace the guitar's body outline onto the foam, slightly oversized to allow for a snug fit. Make accommodations for strap buttons and other features.
    • Carefully cut out the traced shape from the foam insert, ensuring the cut is slightly inside the traced line for a precise fit. Use a spray paint can wrapped in sandpaper to gently shape the neck contour on the foam.
    Carefully cut out the traced shape from the foam insert, ensuring the cut is slightly inside the traced line for a precise fit. Use a spray paint can wrapped in sandpaper to gently shape the neck contour on the foam.Carefully cut out the traced shape from the foam insert, ensuring the cut is slightly inside the traced line for a precise fit. Use a spray paint can wrapped in sandpaper to gently shape the neck contour on the foam.Carefully cut out the traced shape from the foam insert, ensuring the cut is slightly inside the traced line for a precise fit. Use a spray paint can wrapped in sandpaper to gently shape the neck contour on the foam.Carefully cut out the traced shape from the foam insert, ensuring the cut is slightly inside the traced line for a precise fit. Use a spray paint can wrapped in sandpaper to gently shape the neck contour on the foam.
    Prepare the Foam Insert
    • Test fit the guitar to confirm the foam insert holds the guitar securely and prevents movement in any direction.
    Test fit the guitar to confirm the foam insert holds the guitar securely and prevents movement in any direction.
    Prepare the Foam Insert

  2. Protect the Guitar

    • De-tune the guitar strings to relieve tension on the neck during shipping (D-tuning recommended).
    • Wrap the headstock with a minimal amount of bubble wrap for cosmetic protection (avoid excessive wrapping to prevent impact transfer).
    Wrap the headstock with a minimal amount of bubble wrap for cosmetic protection (avoid excessive wrapping to prevent impact transfer).Wrap the headstock with a minimal amount of bubble wrap for cosmetic protection (avoid excessive wrapping to prevent impact transfer).
    Protect the Guitar

  3. Pack the Guitar in the Case

    • Place the guitar into the hardshell case, ensuring it's firmly seated in the foam insert. Close the case.
    Place the guitar into the hardshell case, ensuring it's firmly seated in the foam insert. Close the case.
    Pack the Guitar in the Case

  4. Pack and Secure the Case

    • Pack the hardshell case into a shipping box using reused or new packing materials (e.g., craft paper). Ensure ample cushioning around the case, preventing excessive tightness that could cause box damage.
    • Securely tape the shipping box using heavy-duty shipping tape, applying multiple layers for added strength. Orient the box with the guitar body at the bottom and headstock at the top.
    • Attach the shipping label to the side of the box, maintaining the body-at-the-bottom orientation for safer transit.
    Attach the shipping label to the side of the box, maintaining the body-at-the-bottom orientation for safer transit.Attach the shipping label to the side of the box, maintaining the body-at-the-bottom orientation for safer transit.Attach the shipping label to the side of the box, maintaining the body-at-the-bottom orientation for safer transit.
    Pack and Secure the Case

Read more: Deep Clean Your Case: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tips

  • Use a 4x8 sheet of styrofoam insulation foam for multiple packing inserts.
  • Always ship guitars in a hardshell case for added protection.
  • Avoid over-wrapping the headstock to prevent impact transfer. Minimal bubble wrap is sufficient.
  • Reuse packing materials whenever possible to reduce waste and costs.
  • Over-taping the shipping box is better than under-taping to ensure secure transit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Inadequate Padding

Reason: Insufficient padding leaves the guitar vulnerable to impacts and vibrations during transit, potentially causing damage to the body, neck, or headstock.
Solution: Use ample, high-quality packing materials like bubble wrap, foam, and packing peanuts to completely surround the guitar and fill all empty spaces.

2. Improper Case Selection

Reason: Using a poorly fitting or damaged case offers little protection against shocks and drops. A hard case is always recommended but even that can be damaged.
Solution: Invest in a high-quality, well-fitting hard case specifically designed for guitars and ensure it's in good condition before shipping.

FAQs

What's the best type of case to use for shipping a custom guitar?
A hard-shell case specifically designed for guitars is essential. Avoid gig bags; they offer insufficient protection for shipping. Look for a case with robust construction, plenty of padding, and ideally, TSA-approved locks.