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!

[Former_Member]

I use simple cardboard boxes that I adorn with washi tape and a stamp of my website.
I also do some origami boxes out of bright colored paper (always with the stamp on it).
You can see them here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/_sk/7702981196/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/_sk/7702953852/in/photostream
I add a simple Moo card or a business card and the package is good to go.

It believe that less is more and I don't like to receive outrageous packaging when I buy just a pair of earrings.
Not keen on freebies easier.

I like the packaging to be cute, useful (it has to protect my work during shipping) and quick to do.

Especially when the rush of Xmas is arriving I don't want to loose time to wrap all the boxes. I think it's useless, the box itself is already a packaging so the wrap is just waste.

[ArtiqueBoutiqueShop]

Hi! I think packaging can make such a difference to a customers experience. I always want my customers to feel excitement when they hold their package in their hand - to enjoy the unravelling - to feel special. I'd like them to feel as though it's their birthday!
So all my jewellery is packaged with little details that enhance the experience, such as lovely ribbon, a tag with a handwritten message, a free greetings card, a return coupon code, etc. Each package is done to match the item in terms of colour, and I always get such great feedback about my packaging.

You can see my basic packaging in the following listings. But I don't actually photograph all the special little extras though, as I like it to be a surprise for the customer when they receive it! . . .

https://www.etsy.com/listing/84842475/long-feather-necklace-handmade-jewellery

https://www.etsy.com/listing/82396856/red-feather-necklace-handmade-jewellery

https://www.etsy.com/listing/86641798/green-ribbon-necklace-with-yellow

https://www.etsy.com/listing/78535109/feather-necklace-handmade-jewellery

[Former_Member]

Hello there. I wrap all my products in bible paper as it is thinner than tissue paper and has a lovely feel to it. Then everything is wrapped in red ribbon and compiled with my own designed invoice & compliment slip. I like it al to look a little old fashioned and nostalgic...except for my Fairy related products..they are wrapped in gold with stars and glitter :)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105250058/tooth-fairy-kit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dastardlydaphne/7703000236/in/pool-etsypackaging

[Former_Member]

It's so important to get packaging right, and I try to use recycled materials as much as possible - left over tags and bits from my studio - they add a personal touch and that bit extra to the making.

[Former_Member]

Here is an item you could purchase for your own special packaging!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/98964270/hand-printed-gift-wrap-pack

[Former_Member]

Hello there!

We use paper in colors to wrap our tobacco pouches.This kind of paper protects the item on its way to the customer.
We tie the paper around the body of the item with a thin leather strap. We also attach a little tag.
The packaging is included in every order and the tag can be use as a little card for wishes!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/93200134/cinnamon-challenge-leather-tobacco-pouch

https://www.etsy.com/listing/65791066/black-knight-leather-tobacco-pouch

[Former_Member]

Here is our new packaging for our new store, The Gray Havens:

https://ny-image3.etsy.com/002/0/6864550/il_570xN.362272451_sp5w.jpg

We agree with that package can really make a difference and significantly enhance customer's experience.

[Former_Member]

Oops, posting link to the image itself doesn't seem to work, so here is a listing which has a picture of packaging:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105933036/aqua-and-silver-earrings-blesk-series

[dicopebisuteria]

I love to make my own handmade boxes ! I enjoy decorating them and also use them as promotion !

I add my logo and my website in the box ! It's time consuming but so worth it !Just think how much money would it cost you to put a permanent ad in your buyers house ?

You can see it in the last photo :

https://www.etsy.com/listing/98532764/green-romantic-victorian-pendant-with

[MrsPepper]

I updated my packaging 2 months ago, is this one:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/susana_duarte/7703165270/

I think it is a extremely important thing, it makes your brand stronger and it means a lot to your buyers.
I use the color palette of my website and Etsy shop and try to use elements with a natural feeling. I also use my Moo lovely stickers with my logo and photos of my jewelry.

[lizzieneedles]

I make a bespoke hand made box for every felt jewellery item i produce, it's time consuming but worth the extra effort. In the case of the Pigeon Brooch (shown Below) the packaging box is also a means for display, so that when the brooch is not being worn it can still be enjoyed as an art piece. https://www.etsy.com/listing/73439651/pigeon-brooch-with-wall-mountable-box

[Former_Member]

For me, getting something that I ordered online is just like Christmas.

With that in mind, my husband and I knew we wanted to give that same feeling to our own customers. We're a new company, and they make us so excited just by buying something from our shop that they deserve to get a little something back.

Our shop is very focussed on being eco-friendly, and we try to bring that across in our packaging.

We're also based in Holland, and try to give our packages a bit of a Dutch feel. Because of this we also use hemp twine, and Dutch paper. My favourite paper actually comes free from our local supermarket, and is covered with pictures of retro shopping ads.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105475349/50-minimalist-letterpress-business-cards

We've also letterpressed little tags that read "handmade by Tom and Megen" and are hand-signed with the buyer's name, and we always make sure to include a little hand-written note.

We actually blogged about this very topic just this morning:
http://totheletterpress.wordpress.com/2012/08/03/all-dolled-up-and-ready-to-go/

[ErikaPrice]

Due to the vast hike in postage charges here in the UK, I've had to think of an alternative to using my signature recycled dark blue & silver gift boxes with ribbon ties.

I needed to come up with something smaller and lighter, that fits in a narrow posting box, but still feels special. For jewellery designs which aren't too fragile, I've opted for wrapping the pieces in tissue and popping them in little gift bags with a mini moo card. Not as luxurious as I'd like, but still with the dark blue theme and still rather special!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikaprice/7703287248/

[ErikaPrice]

Forgot to mention that, what you can't see from the photo, is that the jewellery is presented on recycled white card hang tags (purchased from another Etsy seller), with a garden twine bow

[VanillaKiln]

I introduced boxes for my ceramics and it is so much better for several reasons:

• Wonderful to receive! The gift giving experience is enhanced for the buyer.
• More protection for breakable items in the post.
• Easier and quicker for me to pack and unpack my wares at craft fairs.
• They help products look so presentable and smart.
• Great opportunity to reinforce your branding.

Please see my packaging in this butterfly dish listing. I designed the logo and printed the labels onto sheets of self adhesive printer labels which I cut out with a large circular hole punch. I added bakers twine and a lovely kraft gift tag to complete the look. The box is filled with eco friendly shredded kraft.

I think you will agree it looks great!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100396171/butterfly-ceramic-bowl-gift-boxed-round

[Former_Member]

The idea was to create a frame for the sleeves, much like a frame for a painting or a picture, to complement and protect the sleeve and make them stand out even more in retail environment.

"We decided to use kraftpaper, it's natural, simple but sophisticated look works well with the natural look and feel of the material used to handcraft the Originals collection. We did face a challenge though, kraftpaper is by far not strong enough to build a package in these proportions, the first package samples arrived damaged and torn apart.

The solution was to use corrugated cardboard for it's structural strength and add a top layer of kraft paper to get that sophisticated look. Another interesting detail: the sleeves are actually stitched to the back package to emphasize the hand crafted nature of the product."

Here you can see the result: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/e9wtb3knjc78aft/CDmx_yRyp6

[Former_Member]

I have been inspired by all the posts, but as I ship bulk items which are glass, packaging has to be strong and sturdy to avoid breakages.

At the moment i use rycycled boxes for the outer carton and tons of bubble wrap, I have just started adding tissue and pack and business card and a few extras clipped together with a little peg.

I am now off to look for stickers and stamps and a little something extra.

[AtelierniShasha]

Mine is as simple as a black cardboard that is folded like a greeting card, where I place/tape all my tiny creations. I label each item with my metallic pen, and try to make it look simple but elegant. Then I tie and make an elegant bow for the whole thing with a white organza lace. Recently, I eliminated the use of resealable plastic bags to help minimize use of plastic. I place them in catalog envelopes.

I will upload some photos once I get to take a picture this weekend. I will be wrapping some orders then.

[Former_Member]

I would love to share the photos of my packaging with the members here.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/88733076/cat-necklace-in-solid-sterling-silver
https://www.etsy.com/listing/87289176/hand-molded-gold-unicorn-necklace-in

All my jewelry were safely packaged and beautifully gift wrapped. From the first picture of the first link and the last picture of the second link, you can see my completely HANDMADE exquisite wooden box and it will be tied with a beautiful white satin ribbon when it's ready to be shipped.
I'm very proud of this unique packaging. I spent so much time on my packaging, in order to choose the best quality of real woods for my wooden box. Of course, it costs a lot on my packing cost, however, I do think it's very worth it. All my customer were very surprised and amazed when they receive this lovely package. :)

[Former_Member]

I'm so happy to see this discussion come up because good graphic designers really deserve to have the spotlight shown on them more often. It is incredibly difficult as an artist to design good packaging, logos and branding. I do both professionally, graphic and fine art, and I can honestly say that sometimes just designing a simple logo can take way more time and deliberation than composing and executing a small oil painting. Often times, it is so much more difficult because you are tasked with communicating a complex concept with less freedom of choice as far your palette, medium and approach. We all know of logos that we recognize immediately as meaning something to us, but when we try to put that meaning into quick sentences, it's not as easy as saying , this is a tree, or this is a flower and bowl of fruit. Many times the work is already paid for, so we don't have the luxury of appealing to a broad audience and half the time that audience doesn't know what they want anyway or what's good for t hem either.

It is a terribly frustrating experience to hand over caviar design only to have it smothered in ketchup and choked down like warm draft beer and a soggy hot dog. Whatever.

Anyway, it takes a truly gifted, curious, creative and energetic individual to design well in 2d. kudos and applause to the graphic designers out there, whether you do it full-time or only rarely, you're a special breed, take a bow!

[Former_Member]

Hi all, wonderful packaging!

I add my photo to almost all listings now as the last one of them, since it's part of the shipping packaging. My signature product:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/83505830/beehive-earrings-chrysanthemum-dahlia

My product style is on the minimalist side, so the kraft box with a nice sticker to top it off is not too different from its contents in my opinion.

[DormouseDesigns]

I use linen-covered gift-boxes which I've customised myself with handmade paper and a self-portrait :-). Here's a picture that I've added to my 'About me' section in case customers want to see them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dormousedesigns/7703458200/in/photostream

I wrap all of my boxes in pretty tissue paper with one of my Moo product stickers on top and also include a hand-written thank you note on the back of a product postcard. Then I tie the whole package with a fabric ribbon.

I do feel it's important to show the customer that you've taken time over packaging their item and I love doing it.:D

[StitchKits]

I make my packaging from plain white paper bags and add the ink jet printed labels and polka dot ribbon bows to personalize.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/90277461/home-sweet-home-cross-stitch-kit-green

[myBeachWishes]

I love seeing all the packaging ideas in this thread!
I will gift wrap upon request or if someone mentions they are sending a gift. All my items are different shapes- on the flat Beach Wishes I use a light color craft paper and hand stamp “Wishes for you” in sepia ink. For the holidays I add stamped snowflakes- summer I stamp flowers or sea shells. I tie a bow with raffia and attach a handmade tag printed from my heart in the sand image. For bulkier items, like the easels- I will wrap in cellophane, tie with raffia and attach the tag.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/101975535/dad-fathers-beach-wish-sentiment-on

[LaTouchables]

I found the most beautiful mega-roll of rose print at a gardener's and convinced them to sell it to me. The quality is just what I was looking for to wrap my hand-made bags and accessories in. Since I always giftwrap, it was important to find something economical and fitting to my style.

I wrap my creation in bubble-wrap or tissue paper, then wrap it in roses, so-to-speak, and secure it with a red yarn bow. I always include a business card with my blog and etsy addresses, and a little handwritten 'thank you' note.

You can see a typical example of my packaging in the 4th detail image of this item:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105700967/tornado-a-banglecuff-of-goatskin-and