Do you create handmade items for your friends and family during the holiday season? Or maybe you make handmade items that you sell online or at local farmer’s markets?
No matter what you make or how much you make, if you’re giving your creations away to others, you have to get the packaging right.
Pick the Right Box
Every item, no matter how big or small, needs a box! In some cases, you may even need more than one! For example, you may want to box up your smaller item and place it within a larger box if you’re going to send it through the mail.
The size of the box is the first thing you want to consider. You want it to be big enough to hold your item, but not so big that there’s a lot of extra space. The bigger the box, the more it’s going to cost, and the more boxes you have to buy, the more it’s going to add up. Not to mention, you’ll need more filler material, which can add up too.
You should also consider what that box looks like. If you’re making items to sell, you may want to customize a regular slotted container. Not only will it advertise your brand name as it travels through the mail and arrives on your customers’ doorsteps, it’s also one of the cheapest boxes to produce, making it an affordable option if you have a lot of shipping to do.
Consider Filler Material Carefully
The box you choose is important, but the filler material you put in that box matters too. Not only does it help with presentation, but it also keeps the items safe, whether they are stacked in the back of your van on the way to the farmer’s market or in the mail.
You have many different choices! They include:
- Bubble wrap is perfect for awkward and easily breakable items
- Air pillow packaging can fill the box so items don’t slide around
- Paper is a lightweight, recyclable option
- Foam can be used to protect edges and sides in full boxes
- Packing peanuts can fill every nook and cranny of any sized box
Go Eco-Friendly
Packaging your items carefully is important, but it’s also important to consider your impact on the environment. That’s especially the case if you are making and packaging many items to sell. It’s worth your time to consider eco-friendly packaging.
When it comes to boxes, consider boxes made out of recycled material or boxes that are constructed out of less material than other kinds of boxes.
Paper filling can easily be recycled. It can also be imbued with seeds, so those receiving your package can plant the paper in their garden.
Some plastics can also be recycled. For example, air pillows can be deflated and recycled with plastic grocery bags. Packing peanuts can also be a great eco-friendly choice when you make sure they are biodegradable.
Make It Pretty
What’s inside the box matters, but presentation matters too! There’s something special about receiving a decorative package that you just can’t wait to open.
Look for ways to make the presentation of your handmade items pretty. That might mean wrapping boxes with colorful paper, tying a ribbon around the outside, or arranging items in the box in an eye-catching way. It may take a little extra time, but giving your items that special touch will make the recipient feel like you care.
Package Consistently
If you aren’t careful, packing items can get a little out of hand. You may find that you’re spending a good chunk of your day packaging things instead of making the things themselves, which kind of defeats the purpose of making handmade items!
Pick a packing method and follow the same routine consistently. That means packing items in the same size and type of box, using the same packing materials, and wrapping your items the same way. When you create a consistent way of packing your items, and you do the same thing over and over again, you will save a lot of time as it becomes a habit.
Handmade items make great gifts. They are popular items to sell too! However, in today’s global economy, you have to figure out how to get your items from point A to point B. Make sure your items aren’t damaged or destroyed, and the recipients are excited to receive their goodies, by taking the time to make sure you get the packaging just right.