Packaging That Packs A Punch Article: Call for Responses!

[#1]

Hi sellers,

It's already August and pretty soon we'll be ramping up to the holiday season. A simple way to make a statement to buyers and to bring them back in the future is to wow them with your packaging. We're working on an article designed to get your packaging creative juices flowing and we'd love your help. Feel free to share your packaging tips and advice, and photos of your packaging (holiday focused or not!).

You can share a link to your listing where you feature your packaging, or you can share your photos here:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/etsypackaging

As with all of our community sourced articles, we'll quote our favorite tips and advice and will share our favorite packaging photos. We'll also be sure to link back to your shop in the process.

Thanks!

[UnaOdd]

Mine are pretty simple. I draw little metallic silver-berry bushes on the packaging, which is simply held closed with an textured strip of paper and a skinny sticker of my shop banner.

For holidays I switch up the strip of paper color and the berry color.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynn_el/7700367532/in/photostream

[BethWold]

Since I mail prints my main focus is on protecting them. So they are sealed in crystal clear bags, and I put a branded sticker of my logo on the bag. I include a thank you note, a "caring for your fine art print" sheet, and a couple business cards. I mail them either flat or rolled depending on the size and where they are headed(rolled is sturdier so I like it for overseas or larger prints).

I don't honestly know how to make it "prettier" without either making it a lot heavier(thereby shipping being more expensive) or sacrificing durability. So I would love to hear or see what people are doing with prints!

[callykarishokka]

Scrapbook paper + lots and lots of tape = Adorable little bubbly envelopes to mail all my stuff in. I've received a LOT of good feedback on these!

http://i46.tinypic.com/msjs9.jpg

[Former_Member]

@Lynn - I've been looking for boxes JUST like those for months, same size and everything! Where have you found them?

[Glitterfarm]

I sell pretty paper flowers, as well as market totes, and other "Organic Glamour" at Glitterfarm. I always want my customer's pulse to quicken just a little bit when she sees her box has arrived. Simple elegance is key:

My tagline is "Organic Glamour" so I mark my boxes with the tagline and my logo in my color palette. Also, because my shop is Glitterfarm, I always "douse" the products I sell with just a little bit of glitter (straight off the farm : )

Here's the packaging: http://www.flickr.com/photos/66680431@N05/

https://www.etsy.com/listing/104548471/six-handmade-paper-flowers

[TerrabellaAccents]

I make my own bags and put the picture of the packaging in every listing.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/103709028/black-caribbean-coral-shamballa-bracelet

[Hoobynoo]

I have used my packaging as an extension of my brand, each necklace is presented on a branded postcard which features a little character profile on the back in a very 'handmade style'

Then as I like each customer to feel like they are receiving a gift even if it is for themselves, I wrap each necklace in white tissue paper and decorate it with a real rainbow coloured ribbon. I then finish it off with a Hoobynoo World logo sticker featuring my website. :)
I show the packaging in all my listings:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/104376916/cute-rainbow-acrylic-laser-cut-necklace

[Former_Member]

I love when I get a package in the mail and someone has taken the time to wrap it with care. This is a motto I've tried to adapt and bring into my own store.
My packaging depicts the current materials I am working with. Currently I am wrapping the majority of my items in burlap. I love that it can be repurposed allowing the buyer to create something out of its wrapping rather then just tossing it away.

You can see a sample of a bleu birds nest packaging here in the fifth photo.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105890172/skeleton-key-grouping

[Former_Member]

Couldn't pass up this opportunity to throw down a shameless plug to my shop, lol..

I sell a few different variations of "Thank You" tags that make a sweet addition to any packaging. Along with a pretty ribbon, tie one around a cello sleeve, box, or whatever you package your items in & you're set! I'm actually focusing on this section of my shop over the next week, so keep an eye out for more tags to thank your customers with!

Thanks!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thetagtree

[AmyAlexanderDesigns]

I hand paint and decorate gift boxes to match each item. I know a lot of people don't think packaging is that important and that I shouldn't put that much effort into it, but I just love the feeling I get when something is packaged beautifully and thoughtfully just for me!

[HandsomeAndLace]

JUST added some of mine! I am excited because I just got a branding company to perfect my logo so it's all coming together!

[Former_Member]

Hi Everyone!

I try to make brand as sustainable as possible, which is big part of the reason I am on Etsy. While I use new leather and hardware for my designs, I use natural dyes, upcycled materials, and reuse furniture. I also try to keep my packaging as minimal and eco-friendly as possible. Thus:

Every tag is printed on recycled brown-paper bags. I get my groceries in paper, and then flatten the bags, iron them, cut them up, and run the sheets through my printer. The tags then coordinate and are numbered and signed specifically to the bag/piece you have purchased, since each of my leather-goods are hand-numbered. Each tag also has the illustration of the item printed on it, from when I originally designed it. They also each come with a care instruction tag. It's the kind of thing I always save from my nice clothes and accessories in my jewelry box, and I hope people do the same!

All of my large bags come with a dust-bag true to luxury leather goods practice. My dust-bags are made of recycled bedsheets that I dye with natural dyes, and then sew my logo onto.

My passport case wallets each come in a box, which is folded origami using old atlases for the paper. It's a great touch for an article so specific, and fits the world adventure theme.

Finally, each of my packages comes with an invoice detailing what number piece you have, warranty and repair information, and is signed and dated. I also include a couple business cards, and write a note of thanks on the top of the invoice. During the holiday season, I also offer free gift-wrapping for my Facebook fans, and use recycled scraps of naturally dyed fabric and ribbon with brown-paper, a la a "brown paper packages tied up with strings".

I just made a blog post about this to show all the little details!
http://elysemarie.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/the-whole-package/

Also, my passport wallet listing shows the packaging here:
https://www.etsy.com/your/listings/55787360

[Former_Member]

I add a pinch of my dried herbs from summer, along with sparkles/glitter (amidst my shredded recycled paper wrap) for Holiday Cheer:-)

[LittleAppleNY]

I sell jewelry, and I wanted an attractive packaging option that wasn't bulky and could be easily opened and resealed. My solution was to use handcrafted button-tie envelopes. You can see a sample in the last photo of this listing:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/103278687/green-jade-earrings-sterling-silver-gold

[Former_Member]

Seems people get a real kick out of our packaging for our Blue Glass Rock Candy (parody for 'Breaking Bad')

Of course, the packaging MAKES the 'product'... a logo'd sticker on a 'non-descript' brown baggie and Star stamped on bag.
(Soon, we'll have an invisible ink star!)

Inside? A plastic baggie of the 'blue stuff' with a fancy, collectible sticker printed by moo.com.
LOVE moo.com!

Thanks!
~ Don Danilo

https://www.etsy.com/listing/101965781/2-pack-heisenberg-blue-glass-rock-candy?ref=pr_shop

[ArcaneMemoryDesigns]

I would love to share my packaging with all of you!

First of all, when I package my jewelry I put it together as if it is going to a friend! No matter who they are, what country they are in, and how little a know them personally. I give each package a lot of love and care!

Secondly, I like to have touches of personal style in the packaging. For instance, I found these vintage tags on etsy , a stamp that says "Made With Love" and stickers (From Korea?) called the Bonnie Series. On the outside of the package I tie the tag, stamp it and add a sticker from the Bonnie Series that looks like a girl with dark hair, named Bonnie, like me!

I also include stories, quotes titles for the pieces and symbolism to give the piece greater meaning. Sometimes the stories will discuss the era that inspired the piece, like Art Deco or Flappers. Other times the story will be a list of all the symbolic meanings behind the elements on the necklace. I enjoy creating the stories as much as designing the jewelry. It is a way for me to utilize my love of research and writing in my business.

Another thing I love to do is put a wax seal on the outside of every package, these vary, some examples are a heart, key, owl or bee.

Here are some examples of my packaging, it will be the last photo listed on the item page:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/93909277/minimalist-glass-pearl-earrings-vintage

https://www.etsy.com/listing/97851300/christmas-in-the-summer-sale-shabby-chic

https://www.etsy.com/listing/99013479/long-bohemian-ooak-necklace-vintage

https://www.etsy.com/listing/97929619/bohemian-tribal-bracelet-assemblage-bee?ref=v1_other_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/97548323/elephant-talisman-ooak-necklace?ref=v1_other_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/94024630/indian-dancer-cameo-ooak-necklace-resin?ref=v1_other_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/93939547/chic-alice-in-wonderland-ooak-necklace?ref=v1_other_1

I hope you enjoy having a look at my pieces and their packaging! I put a lot of love, time, energy, and thought into my jewelry and the packaging. One of my hopes is the person receiving the item will feel like they have gotten a gift, something special, even if they bought it for themselves. Also I hope they will love the packaging so much it will be kept along with the item. In turn creating less waste. Thanks for having a look at my shop! Have fun looking at all the neat packaging ideas all of these amazing artists are coming up with, I'm sure there are a lot!

Warm Regards, Bonnie Currie

Arcane Memory Designs
arcanememory.etsy.com

[Former_Member]

Certainly I have something to show... It's what we do! I am currently work on some fresh designs for my initial market of wedding/party favors and very excited for the Halloween deigns in the que. On the board are 3 or 4 holiday boxes of various sizes as well. Please check it our store SwissHippo!

Also soon to come are customization options! There is a sneak peek at the new Petitie Fleur - Daisies collection on the Flickr - EtsyPackaging group

Here are the links to some of our stuff:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100394617/flower-favor-sampler-pack

https://www.etsy.com/listing/98642179/full-set-of-5-strap-clasp-pillow-boxes

[Former_Member]

I use these super cute striped boxes for some of my jewelry pieces!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105907696/small-bubble-pendant-monogram-soldered

[Former_Member]

I have also started using my packaging as my 5th photo on some listings! I think seeing how their jewelry will come is very important to buyers.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/103373776/electric-blue-faux-quartz-necklace

[Former_Member]

I am only new to Etsy but made the decision upon joining to invest in packaging - it is an extension of my shop's brand and is an essential part of the customer's buying experience.
It was essential that my packaging was bright, shared a piece of how I view the world and was Eco-friendly! This listing shows the boxes:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/103380028/unique-design-hand-crafted-sterling

[mulberrylanefolkart]

I am embarrassed to say...I have a hard time getting boxes the right size so I end up enlarging the box by taping on more cardboard and using a lot of tape!
I do wrap the item in brown paper though and put in some business cards. :-)

[sewbigkeepsake]

Packaging (wrap) that I use on my timeline charts that inform buyer how to use and create a keepsake.

http://etsy.com/listing/99081436/personalize-a-fabric-growth-chart-that

[Former_Member]

Ahhh...packaging! To me, the presentation is a key part of the Etsy buying experience. I have tried many things, but I have finally figured out a lovely, economical packaging.

You can view the packaging in the last picture here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/85743694/customized-bill-organizer-monthly

[LauraLeeArtist]

We have a gift wrapping service :0) The Beach Huts paper is my own design, I am hoping to add Christmas papers to the collection soon

https://www.etsy.com/listing/97452885/gift-wrapping-service?ga_search_query=gift%2Bwrap

[lostaloha]

The first photo in this listing shows my packaging:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105488015/lost-aloha-beaded-plumeria-metallic-hot

I thought I would recreate the "organza bag" look that's really popular with something more protective, and that would last a lot longer. So I drew up a pattern for crocheted keepsake bags, to add to the Hawaiian feel of my shop.

While my buyers might not always use them for their flowers, they can use them for their own special jewelry, or other treasures.

Takes me next to no time at all to make one, and it's very unique to my shop ♥