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!

[Gardenmis]

I love simple, elegant packaging that is natural, easily recycled and reflects my branding. I also use biodegradable bubble mailers to ship my products as composting and reducing landfill is dear to my heart and important to my business model.

Packaging is in the last picture:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105648698/lavender-sachets-modern-home-decor

[EfratJewelry]

My packaging are on the 5th photo
I also add a thank you card with the buyer name and my signature, a coupon for the next purchase, my business card and a little gift - my handmade keychain or cell phone charm
https://www.etsy.com/listing/65772298/silver-heart-earrings-with-garnets

[woodgroove]

All of my products come decoratively packaged - ready for gifting. I think it adds a nice touch and saves people the trouble of finding the right sized gift box. I show the packaging in the last photo of each product I sell so customers know what to expect. My company name, Woodgroove, and website, are foil embossed on the top of the brown kraft box in a darker brown. I made it that way to imitate my products - laser engraved wood blocks. The crinkle paper is a blue, pink and white blend so it is suitable for both boys and girls.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/61839277/personalized-wooden-baby-block

[Former_Member]

Just got myself some kraft boxes, washi tape and a custom stamp!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105384889/flower-photo-necklace-yellow-rectangle

[SweetgirlCoKnits]

Earlier this year we added this packaging to all our products. We wanted to create the feeling of something special with a dual purpose. Think luxury handbag...We created silk logo drawstring bags that are cute, good for storage and also keeps the product protected when the customer is not wearing the merchandise. Items within the bag are wrapped in tissue paper.

Click on the link to see our packaging: http://flic.kr/p/cJCq99

[Former_Member]

I wanted to create packaging that was unique to my brand & products. I stamped small cotton drawstring bags with hand-carved stamps. On the front is a pomegranate pattern to tie in my shop name "The Fruits of My Labor" and on the back two hammers to emphasize that they are hand made by showing the tools that were used to make what is in the bag, along with a stamp of my shop name and address. I also like the idea that the bag can be kept and used for storing jewelry or other things, and that it will continue to function as sort of a business card as long as they have it. I also include a matching business card and thank you postcard.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/103116715/3-circle-copper-dangle-earrings

[Former_Member]

I have some sets of geometric earrings in my store, to display them nicely I folded some fun geometric boxes, the design on the boxes is a print of one of my abstract watercolors. You can see the box here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/98163555/geometric-polymer-clay-earrings-set-of-6?ref=v1_other_1

[dodoMobiles]

Sometimes it's best to have a professional take care of your packaging. This way you can concentrate on the work you do and support other fellow artisans. I think collaboration is extremely important in the handmade world.

A variation of the boxes I use for the bears:

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/89422890

Here are some of the other type:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gabrielefelt/4973722698/in/set-72157624914912094

[Former_Member]

I've spent a lot of time over-thinking packaging over the last few years. My first packages were complicated, time consuming, and frankly a bit of an eyesore. It's taken what seems like forever but things have evolved a lot this year and I've finally found my packaging groove. I've realized that focusing on making everything look 'too perfect' is actually counterproductive, simply because 'perfect' just isn't what my customers are shopping for. I wrap everything in brown paper branded with an ink stamp. A personalized handwritten note along with the receipt and my business card enclosed in a vintage reproduction paper ice cream sandwich bag. It's a clean, simple, inexpensive and effective way to send out a unique message without beating people over the head with it.
Here's what it looks like: ny-image3.etsy.com/000/0/5469554/il_fullxfull.250993011.jpg
I'll try to take a photo of my complete packaging with the ice cream bag and post it tomorrow.

[Former_Member]

I love to pack my items wit crochet motifs decorating -

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95177772/yellow-decor-crochet-flower-appliques

Also I make gift boxes with crochet motifs again

https://www.etsy.com/listing/85620501/gift-box-option-designed-to-go-with-a

[Former_Member]

Oops, I posted from the wrong account before. (and I don't see a way to delete the previous post... sorry for the repeat)

I wanted to create packaging that was unique to my brand & products. I stamped small cotton drawstring bags with hand-carved stamps. On the front is a pomegranate pattern to tie in my shop name "The Fruits of My Labor" and on the back two hammers to emphasize that they are hand made by showing the tools that were used to make what is in the bag, along with a stamp of my shop name and address. I also like the idea that the bag can be kept and used for storing jewelry or other things, and that it will continue to function as sort of a business card as long as they have it. I also include a matching business card and thank you postcard.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/103116715/3-circle-copper-dangle-earrings

[elehandmade]

Hello!
All my shoes and accessories come in a special bag: polka dots pattern, mint green or candy pink, all of the bags are handmade by me!
Sewing little bags take a lot of time but so far I still didn't find a supplier who is able to offer me textile bags as nice as the handcrafted ones,
handmade shoes indeed match well in handmade bags!

You can see it here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105644045/the-sofia-oxfords-in-aqua-green-gray-and
or here on the 4rt picture:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/102406835/glicine-light-violet-suede-leather
or more or less in every listing I like to include a picture of the packaging.

thank you!
^_^

[Former_Member]

Here is a link to a photo of one of my packages, in a blog post I wrote about some of the great packing materials available on Etsy!
http://littlekittenvintage.blogspot.ca/2012/03/friday-finds-pretty-wrap.html

I use recycled brown tissue paper (for the sake of the environment) and a lace ribbon or bakers twine. I love to include extra little gifts for my customers too, like a doily or vintage spoon, and handmade gift tags.

[MamaLoveOrganics]

When I started my flower essence aromatherapy business, long before i found Etsy, I knew i wanted packaging that would help me sell my product to retail stores. Very few people provide ready-to-use aromatherapy formulas, especially not those that add flower essences. Very few customers know what flower essences are. My packaging had to make people look, explain what they were buying, and inspire more confidence by being very transparent (meaning I spell out what each ingredient is and what it does). I made it colorful -- a different color for each product in my line. It's a healing product so I created a little healer Mama to hold the formulas I sell. And the healer Mama is on the front of a card that opens and gives a great description of what the formula does, how to use it, etc., etc. The healer Mama is my brand now -- I use it on everything I do. Here's an example: https://www.etsy.com/listing/81977240/flower-essence-aromatherapy-for-comfort

[joyjoie]

I like my packaging to both represent my brand and most importantly to have a life beyond delivery so I package my teepees in a pillowcase our a furoshiki cloth. The fabric has my logo stamped or stencilled onto the front and can be used to store the teepee or can be used inside the teepee during play sessions. The paint/ink I use for the logo can be washed so the packaging can be used time and again. I also supply an instruction manual and information card in each package.

Here is a link to my pillowcase packaging:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/96382222/teepee-jungle-safari-wall-art-of

[studiomyr]

Great idea to add your packaging as the fifth photo! I wrappe my knitware in black tissue paper and then put it in a soft shiny black cardboard box, with on top my logo in white. I add a special printed postcard with a photo of one of my products. At the backsite I write a personel message. Then I wrap the box in old fashioned brown package paper, and write by hand the address. Last I tie it up with plain hennep tie. I want my buyers to experience a total suprise, while unlayering there purchase. Kind of à butterfly coming out of its cocoon. From a plain package to an elegant box, à welcome message, and finally the sensation of unwrapping the product from the krispering delicate paper, letting it emerce from the dark.

[whimsywhimsical]

I love to receive packages that are well wrapped with a nice little note. It kinda makes me feel special as a customer.

So I package my items the way I like to receive them, with ribbon and little handwritten thank you notes :) Something that is simple, not too overwhelming and presentable at the same time too.

Here are some of my packaging ideas:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/95554703/whimsical-baby-forest-animals-notebook

and this with the ribbon:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/91796645/spring-chat-fox-notecards-set-of-5

Thanks :)

[FawningInLove]

I've based my packaging to coincide with my shop name to help further brand myself. All of my jewelry arrives suitably gift wrapped ready for giving. I've received such wonderful feedback from my customers, they really do enjoy giving and receiving something beautifully packaged. :]
https://www.etsy.com/listing/85252000/vintage-brass-flower-ring-mystery-grab
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105673967/rainbow-mystic-titanium-ab-quartz
*it's in the last photo of this listing
[as most of my listings have the example this way]

~Thanks for viewing~
♥

[Former_Member]

I LOVE packaging, I think it is as important as the product you sell, it annouces and introduces people to your brand, and let's them know how you feel about it.
Details are always important and I like to use a white postpak so it looks exciting when it arrives in the post. I love receiving a parcel so I like to make sure it has impact on arrival :)
I have added pictures to etsy packaging flickr page too:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kookery/
Thanks for asking us about our packaging!
Amy

[Former_Member]

These guys have out of this world packaging:
http://www.selfpackaging.com

and a source of inspiration for me is their ideas pages which they update regularly:
http://www.selfpackaging.com/ideas/

[Former_Member]

Am I late to the party?

My tag reads "Packaged and sent with luuuuuurve from Design Gratis". Shown in last photo of the link.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/96967242/hermitage-nature-fine-art-print

[Former_Member]

I make origami paper boxes and decorated it with a gorgeous paper flower and cushion it with tulle fabric inside :)
such as the one that can be found on the fifth picture in
https://www.etsy.com/listing/99647606/big-aquamarine-swarovski-wire-wrapped
Although I have to say, since my shop banner change, it slightly changed up my packing in terms of color

[Former_Member]

Loving all these packaging ideas! I am ready to brand my company, get labels and stickers and fancy floral lined envelopes for the customer's receipts. I include the wreath in a white cake box so they have a nice storage box so it lasts longer. I also wrap the cake box with fabric ribbon I make. Fabric ribbon is less expensive than ribbon and more homespun. Leave me smiling. :)

[cherrytime]

We simply love packing and wrapping!! So almost all our items come gift wrapped for free in our both shops.

We try to be creative as possible so We often re purpose beautiful materials that We have in our studio. We love to use vintage music sheets, yarns, buttons, sewing different papers together with colourful threads..We ordered these cute little stickers and hand carved label stamp which all make our packages more personal and unique.

We're always happy when We read in our feedbacks that customers loved presentation of our handmade goodies. A lot of them notice our love while packing.

Each Cherry Time gift wrap is unique and depends on our inspiration and imagination on that day:)
here is just one of my gift wraps for our lovely customers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/objemidrevo/7702906730/in/pool-etsypackaging

[JessicaSherriff]

Wow these really are great!!

I keep it fairly simple, add a postcard (which is my business card) then wrap the jewellery in a few layers of white tissue paper then add a couple of lenghts of ribbon with a little tag. Simple but I hope elegant.