How do you package your creations?

[Former_Member]

I'm curious to know how you package your items?

Do you make your own packaging? Use envelopes, boxes?

If you have photos I'd love to see. Trying to get some new ideas for my shop. :)

[Former_Member]

For handmade items (other than soap dishes), everything gets wrapped in tissue and then placed in a protective wrap and then into the outer package.

The outer package will vary depending on the size and weight of the item being shipped.

For soap dishes, the individual ones go in bubble envelopes. Anything up to 10 can go in a priority flat rate envelope. After that its Flat rate boxes as they offer the best value for the weight. Each package is carefully wrapped in plastic before being shipped.

For yarns, everything is wrapped in protective wrap before being put in either a tyvek envelope or a shipping box, depending on the size of the purchase. There is nothing worse than a ball of yarn that has been exposed to the elements!

Mannequins get wrapped in plastic and then in their own protective sleeve and then into special shipping boxes. Display mannequins must have bubble wrap around the collar to prevent damage.

[AmyDsCrochet]

I use just plain envelopes & boxes that I buy at shipping supply store. Nothing that fancy for the outside of the packing.

Inside I do wrap the items up with tissue paper.

[designbcb]

i place smaller items (hats, scarves) in a reusable plastic bag that seals - i have some stickers with a photo of something i've made and my website on it. that goes on the outside.

i have these lovely, simple white boxes i get at the container store and i put a sticker on the outside of that as well on the side.

bigger items go into a zippered vinyl bag that also gets a sticker and goes into a bigger white box that gets a sticker.

[Former_Member]

I've only sold two items that weren't patterns, the first was to someone local so I just packaged it in a gift bag with my card as a tag, the second was a pair of hair clips...I designed and printed off a 3x5 card for the backing and clipped them on, then I shipped it in a bubble mailer with my card.

Where I live we really only have the mega retailers (Walmart and Target), but I can't seem to find nice gift boxes year round. Any ideas?

[designbcb]

chanteusecrochet says

I've only sold two items that weren't patterns, the first was to someone local so I just packaged it in a gift bag with my card as a tag, the second was a pair of hair clips...I designed and printed off a 3x5 card for the backing and clipped them on, then I shipped it in a bubble mailer with my card.

Where I live we really only have the mega retailers (Walmart and Target), but I can't seem to find nice gift boxes year round. Any ideas?
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I really can't say enough about the Container Store. They have wonderful gift boxes as well as mailers and are very reasonale in price. You can order on line as well as going to their stores.

[Former_Member]

Online would have to be the way...the nearest Container Store is at least two hours away. I'm thinking about just stocking up at Christmas time though...

[Former_Member]

I prepare my items with Tissue Paper - Cello Bag - Cute Business Card

Then I use free priority envelopes from the post office
I put the prepared items into 1 water proof USPS envelope
Then put that inside another which I turn inside out if I don't use priority service and ship 1st class usually most of my items cost between $1.71 up to $2.50 to mail.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77560453/girlie-boho-chic-hair-clip-by-flower

[Former_Member]

BTW - GT Bag Company online is great for cello bags FAST shipping and reasonable prices : )

I buy the 4 x 4, 8.5" x 12" and 3" x 11" bags for headband and hair clips

You order in quantities of 100 up to 1000 if you can't use 100 bags you can always sell them in packs of 20 or somethn like that on Etsy as supplies : )

Cost for 100 bags in the size I mentioned is between $9.00 up to $13.00

They are resealable and I get teh bags with the header and tape on the flap

[Former_Member]

Another question along these lines....curiosity poll: do you wash your items prior to shipping? Thanks!!!

[Former_Member]

I don't wash prior to shipping, unless it is included in the blocking. Several of my siblings have reactions to various detergents, so I leave that up to the buyer to do when he/she receives the item.

[Former_Member]

i didn't think about detergent allergies, thank you!

[StudioAvai]

When I make more sales I plan to use boxes.

[ElegantKnitting]

I wrap each item in tissue paper and tie with decorative ribbon and add a handmade gift tag. I include my business card and a copy of their receipt and care instructions for the item.

Then shipped in either waterproof envelope or box, depending upon size of the item.

[Former_Member]

I wrap my items with tissue paper and a ribbon around the outside.

As for washing, yes I do wash all of my items because I have cats and I would hate to send out my items with cat hair on it. I do use a perfume and dye free detergent that should not react to anyone that has sensitve skin.

[Former_Member]

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94818981/hand-knitted-hairband-for-baby-young

[KnitwitOriginalsUK]

All my knitted items and yarn gets wrapped in colourful tissue paper, smaller items into a pre-used box, then into a plastic mailing bag. I always include some candy as a thankyou. My dyed fibre is in a zip lock bag then into mailer.
I buy all my mailers online.

[KnitwitOriginalsUK]

I don't wash my knitted items prior to mailing.

[Former_Member]

I once had an item returned as she claimed the yarn smelled of chemicals. Since all of my items are for babies they are now washed in a hypoallergenic Dermatologist-tested formula that is free of perfumes and dyes as well as rinsing them in a hypoallergenic fabric softener to remove any lingering detergent. Each item is washed individually in a mesh Lingerie bag.
I package them in colorful tissue paper with a yarn bow and they are shipped in a poly mailing bag. I have found the poly mailing bag and 1st class mail to be the cheapest mode of shipping. I include a copy of the invoice, jot down a note of thanks, and write any special washing instructions. I have a return address mailing labels with my shops name on it and my home address.

[Former_Member]

So far I have sold gloves and headbands and scarves and I have used padded envelopes and put in personalised notes on small manilla card tags. I have no run out of what I had and need to buy more packaging so I am really interested to see what people are doing with their items.

[vjsc]

I wrap in hand stamped tissue paper (dog paw prints) with a handmade sticker, with 3BlueDogsAndMe.etsy.com stamped on it. I also add a sticker to the outside of the package.

I do not wash items before shipping, I state that I have 3 dogs in the listing, and how to wash each item.