Objects with a stable and robust surface can be held in a container using the pinning method.

This method is useful for packing together large collections of small to medium sized objects.

In the video below Collections Technician Maddy Moore demonstrates how to pack objects using this method.

Case study: mixing methods

Pinning can be used in conjunction with other methods of packing objects.  

For example, very small or delicate objects can be packed into polythene bags or boxes which are then pinned into the container.   

This limits the risk of smaller objects getting lost amongst the packing of larger ones or can provide additional protection for especially delicate objects, yet also enabling them to be packed with their counterparts in the same collection.