Easy Ways to Package, Protect and Ship Your Handmade Products – Tips and Time Savers
In this digital age, it is easier to sell handmade products than ever before. But before you set up your business, one of the many things you will need to address is the packaging and shipping methods you will use for your items.
To help you get started, here are some tips and time savers for easily packaging, protecting, and shipping your handmade products.
Ways to Package Your Products
To determine which type of packaging is best for your products, compare various forms of packaging and consider the specific needs of your products.
For instance, if you are shipping delicate items, it will be critical to choose robust packaging. On the other hand, standard envelopes or boxes might suit small non-breakable products.
You should consider costs, too. For instance, if you sell handmade paintings on paper, it may be cheaper to send them rolled in tubes than to ship them in flat packaging, such as sturdy cardboard-backed envelopes.
Here are some of the most common packaging options.
Self-Seal Plastic Bags
These are transparent, lightweight pouches that are suitable for small, non-fragile items. They are inexpensive. They are also easy to use, which means you can save time when packing your products.
Shipping Envelopes
Light half jackets made of reinforced paper or padded with bubble wrap, shipping envelopes offer a compact shipping solution, especially for flat or small objects.
Mailing Tubes
Ideal for posters, blueprints, or any long item that can be rolled up, mailing tubes are not only affordable. They can also help you to save space in comparison to traditional box-based options.
Customised Boxes
These are especially good for larger items that need more structured boundaries. They can be pre-folded and stored flat until required.
Recyclable Poly Mailers
Poly mailers are not only cost-effective. They are also eco-friendly. Your customers can easily recycle them. So, if you and your customers care about the environment, poly mailers could be a good choice.
Stamped Muslin Bags
Stamped muslin bags provide a beautiful gift-like appearance, which means your customers can feel special when they receive your products in the mail. Muslin bags are also quick and easy to fill during the packing stage.
Pre-Printed Labels
An effective way to save time in your packaging process is to utilise printed labels. Doing so will eliminate the need for handwriting addresses, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Speaking of labels, you should also make sure you use the right labelling for the containers that house your products. That not only means getting the label design right – it should, of course, be designed to suit your brand. It also means choosing the right type of label.
For instance, one of the best options is a shrink sleeve for any container. Shrink sleeve labels are superior in quality to sticker labels. They have 360-degree coverage and a perforated tamper-evident tear.
Ways to Protect Your Products
Many handmade products will need additional protection. Thankfully, there are lots of inner packaging options you can utilise to protect your products while in transit. Here are some of the most popular options.
Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is a popular and effective option for protecting your products during shipment. It cushions any impacts that the packages might suffer.
Packing Peanuts
Packing peanuts are perfect for filling the void in boxes to prevent items from moving and sustaining damage.
Corrugated Cardboard Inserts
These inserts not only separate items but also add an extra layer of protection within the box. They are excellent for fragile products.
Inflatable Air Pillows
Air pillows serve a similar purpose to packing peanuts. They provide cushioning and fill empty space without adding significant weight to your package.
Foam Encasing
For highly delicate or irregularly shaped products, foam encasing can be cut or moulded to perfectly fit around the items for optimum protection.
Ways to Ship Your Products
Now you know the ways in which you can package and protect your handmade products, let us turn our attention to shipping options. Here are some common ways to ship your items.
Standard Shipping
This is an economical shipping method suitable for non-urgent deliveries. It may take longer than other options, but it is more affordable.
Next-Day Delivery
For customers in need of their orders right away, next-day delivery is the perfect option. This fast-acting method ensures their items are delivered within 24 hours from ordering time.
Same-Day Delivery
This ultra-fast option delivers packages on the same day that they are ordered. It is an excellent service for your most urgent deliveries within a specified geographic location.
Precise Time Delivery
For customers with time-specific needs, like gifts arriving exactly on a birthday, precise time deliveries offer an exact delivery window.
Package Tracking
Utilising tracking for your shipped products adds a layer of security and peace of mind for both you and your customers. It allows you to monitor the package’s journey and provides customers with up-to-date delivery information.
Ship Your Handmade Products – Other useful links from our Knowledge Centre:
How to Manage Business Finances Correctly and Efficiently
Unlocking Business Potential: Strategies for Long-term Success
The Impact of Sustainability on Ecommerce Businesses
Remember to Compare Your Business Costs is here to help your business every step of the way from business advice, or saving you time and money on your business purchases such as: