Product Packaging?

[Former_Member]

So, I've got my shop how I want it, have made some sales, but is there a better way to package items for shipment? I've been putting coupon codes for returning customers and "For a Friend" codes. How do you package your items?

[Former_Member]

Mine are mostly small so I just wrap in tissue paper and put in a bubble mailer.

[Former_Member]

I put jewelry items in small organza bags. They are simple, pretty, and cheap when purchased in bulk. I always include a business card with a short, handwritten note. All of it can fit easily into a small padded envelope.

[Former_Member]

I use Kraft gift boxes with ribbons and bubble mailers. . .

[Former_Member]

I put each item in a small, decorative paper bag and seal the bag with a decorative seal sticker. I then ship the items in a bubble mailer with an invoice and business card.

Most of the items I've received have been in bubble mailers with no special packaging with a business card. Some people include their current coupon codes for 10% off.

I don't include a code, but I do have specially printed postcards with codes on them I can send to customers. I haven't had much of an opportunity to use these, due to a lack of customers. :) If I do, though, there's space to write a personal message so it doesn't seem so spam-like.

[delmarlady]

I am hand decorating my white kraft boxes mostly because the items I have purchased have been exceptionally wrapped with lots of personal attention. It has made an impression on me. I will include a thank you note also.

[CatherinePicone]

Right now I'm just wrapping my items in white tissue paper and hemp twine, then a healthy dose of bubble wrap. I always include a thank-you note and a ten percent off coupon for their next purchase. I really want to do something prettier, but there's just no $$ right now. I could use some of my fabric to make gift bags for the items, I guess?

[Former_Member]

I just put my first sale in an organza bag, then bubble wrap and then in a bubble wrap bag, and put a thankyou note in there, i dont have my buisness cards yet as i wasnt expecting somthing to sell so fast!! ahhh must get organised!!! how do you go about the coupons? like when someone comes to use it, do you just lower the price and then they buy it.. how do you reserve things? its still all a bit confusing to me!!

[Former_Member]

As far as I know, when they enter the code it is automatically taken care of. I don't know about reserving though.

[Untwistedsister]

@zep - I put my items with sterling in a specially treated bag and then in a small gift box. Then I either ship in a padded envelope or a priority USPS box. I include a copy of the order and if there needs to be any specific care instructions I include that.
@krysle - there is a place in your account to set up coupon codes. If a customer uses one it will automatically deduct the correct amount. To do a reserve listing, just go into 'edit' on the listing and change the title to "RESERVED for ____________"

[Former_Member]

I love packaging! I don't use coupon codes because I haven't found them to be useful in the past (although I only tried them once).

I usually package my items in a cello sleeve and include a business card or packaging label that has my shop name on it. I often throw business cards away that I get in packages, so I've been trying to incorporate my shop name into my packaging. Like this, with the band going across the middle:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82002148/kraft-tags-paper-lace-12-tags-large

Each item is packaged slightly differently based on its size. I put each into a small manila mailer or small padded mailer based on the item. Recently, I've been trying to include a little thank you note since I read somewhere that buyers like that sort of thing. I also always print out a label instead of handwriting it. Then it's ready to go!

[LaurasLastDitch]

Maybe I'm unusual, but I'd rather my items not come in a bag, as I like packaging kept to a minimum. Rather than automatically including fancy packaging, maybe putting a note that you'll do so upon request?

[Former_Member]

I wrap my jewelry in bubble wrap, wrap them in pretty paper, and put them in a bubble mailer. So far, so good! I like the idea of little thank-you notes; I may start doing that!

[TheSalvagedEdge]

I use recycled boxes for delicate jewelry. My bookmarks get a cardboard sandwich. All of my items go in a bubble mailer unless they are especially fragile or bulky. I try to keep packaging to a minimum so there is less to throw away or recycle but it's a catch 22 because I want the items to get there safely.

@AlmondCrafts, I love the idea of incorporating logo into packaging. I have my earrings on recycled card stock and stamp them with my logo.

[Former_Member]

Laura,

I try to keep my packaging minimal as well: one cello sleeve and a manila envelope. Plus a thank you note that I make out of scrap paper. Since I make specialty paper cards, I cannot risk having an item arrive bent or wrinkled. The paper bands with my shop name on them are used to strengthen my packaging at a low cost, made out of paper strips from my scrap bin. I know it looks fancy, but is also functional. Plus, the cello bag is re-usable and re-sealable (love that!).

Aman

[Former_Member]

I just bought pale pink flat merchandise bags. I fill the bag with their item purchased and a business card. Then have a sticker with my logo on the front of the bag. I tie pale pink and celedon green yarn around the bag and either make a small crochet flower or tie it in a bow. I've really wanted to stay true to my logo and brand myself with everything that I do. I"m currently looking into mini cards to add to the inside of the bag with a promo code to use on their next purchase.

[Former_Member]

My wrapping is very basic. Single notecards and small groups go in resealable cellophane bags. Larger sets go in clear top boxes. Prints go in cellophane bags with recycled cardboard backing to prevent bending in the mail.

The only prettying up I do is stamping a fiddlehead on the outside of all packages.

However, I do write all my thank you notes by hand, and I always include a small coupon code for repeat customers.

[hcwoodcraft]

We cut boxes to fit our stick horses. My husband glues place holders so that the horse is snug in the middle of the box and can't move. We have added lightly crumbled tissue paper as filler and to hide the horse. We then throw in a Thank You card with the name/pic of the item and care instructions, and our shop web address. I've not received feedback yet, so I hope it's nice. I love the idea of putting the logo on a sleeve AlmondCrafts. Can I ask how you put your item listing in your post?

[Former_Member]

I use stickers and stamps as my main branding tools. You should place your items in packaging that is meant to be kept together with your items so that your customer gets reminded of you shop everytime they see the item. The design should be nice and nonintrusive. Custom stamped bags would look great.

[SaltwaterMercantile]

I package my CP soaps in parchment paper with a scrapbook paper "cigar band" and one of my personalized labels to hold the cigar band in place. My MP soaps are always shrink wrapped with a label on the back so the colors show through. I always include a couple of small soap samples and a printed "Thank You' card with a coupon code on the back for returning customers. I usually write a quick hand-written note on the card as well.

[Former_Member]

Wow...what a lot of good ideas!

[88editions]

geeze louise

forgot to include my business card in my last three shipments

[RobotsAreAwesome]

Packaging is a bit of self-made nightmare for me, I can't seem to make robots all the same sizes. To get boxes, packaging I've gone to the following:
- thrift stores
- dollar stores
- uline.com
- eboxboutique.etsy.com

for flair, business card, hang tag, thank you booklet
Example of what I do: http://flic.kr/p/8Sv8fy

Hope these help a bit.

-HerArtSheLoves

[Former_Member]

Great ideas! I've gotten a few packages from other sellers beautifully wrapped or tied with original ties/tags.

I've made round labels (check out onlinelabels.com - you can get them at a very good price and there's a program so you can design them on the site). I use those in 2 sizes - small for my gift set boxes and zip-lock bags and large ones for the white shopping bags I use at craft shows.

I'd love to make personalized labels, but right now I'm so busy making new bibs for my shop and holiday craft shows, that I don't have time - I just make sure that all packaging is clean (no scratches in the gift box lid or marks on the plastic bags that sometime come from the manufacturer), then put them in bubble bags and print my shipping label from PayPal.