Reader Request: Etsy Shop Packaging

This is one of my more popular requests, and rather than just discussing shop tags, I figured you might be interested in seeing the entire packaging process for purchases made at Fine & Dandy Vintage.

I've been selling online for years, and have gone through many different packaging styles and processes. In considering options, I've thought about the branding of my shop and making sure the packaging fits the design aesthetic, but I also carefully considered the expense and time involved in assembling each package. Nobody likes to pay expensive shipping, am I right? And no seller likes to spend more time than necessary preparing for the dreaded post office.

As someone who frequently shops online at places like Etsy, I do appreciate a nice looking package. (It's okay if you giggled at that last sentence. I did too.) The moment when a shopper receives their purchase at home is the last chance a seller has to make a lasting, positive impression. So, let's make it pretty, easy to open, and interesting enough without worrying about lots of frills, shall we?

In order to save time in the shipping process (it's my least favorite part of selling online), I like to prepare my supplies in advance. In my desk drawer you will find a whole pile of Fine & Dandy tags that have been trimmed to size, hole punched, and have a blank back for personal messages to customers.

I designed my tags with a simple logo, tagline, and web address, and arranged them to fit across a standard size paper. At Hobby Lobby I found (on sale even!) kraft paper in bundles, so I won't run out for quite some time. When printing, I just selected a cardstock weight paper in the printer settings, loaded my printer with this kraft cardstock, and let 'er rip!

Once they've been printed, I have a cutting marathon with a steel ruler and sharp blade, followed by a finger-numbingly fun time with the hole punch. (I hate that part too.) Now, when I receive an order notification, I just grab one tag, write a note to the customer, and prepare for the next stage. Wrapping!

When a customer opens the package, you want what they remove to be still carefully folded and still in its original condition. I fold items and then wrap with a proportionaly sized piece of either baker's twine, rope, hemp, or ribbon. I've noticed a lot of sellers might wrap their folded garments with packaging paper, and/or a clear, plastic bag. I haven't been able to find these in bulk for a good price, so I just stick with folding and tying.

At this point, my button collection really comes in handy. I select a coordinating button and use it to secure the tag to the twine. It actually does serve a purpose to keep the tag in good shape when the package arrives to its destination, but let's be real... it just looks cute, and who doesn't love buttons?!

If you are working with a larger, floppy garment, it's a good idea to use something to keep it together while its traveling through the postal service. Chipboard would be ideal for this, but it's not super cheap, so I use the same kraft paper you see in my tags. It fits aesthetically, and kraft cardstock is something I try to always have around. I just begin folding the garment, and then place the piece of cardstock in the center of the top and fold around it. Easy peasy!

The last step (and this can also be prepared in advance) is making a nice looking, inexpensive, and somewhat sturdy shipping bag. For larger purchases, or for shipping breakables, I use kraft boxes. But for everything else, I love whipping together shipping bags made from inexpensive rolls of kraft paper.

All I do is roll off enough paper to fit the contents after the paper is folded into fours (for extra strength), and stitched together (seam allowance). After it's been folded into fours, I stitched around two of the sides, leaving an opening in the center where I will place the purchase.

Before placing the purchase into the shopping bag, I stamp the top left corner with my return address. A stamp is a huge time saver and looks much more professional than scrawled handwriting. My personal ink pad preference is a gel inkpad, which inks more evenly and doesn't goop around the edges of the stamp. I like.

Last, fold (if there's enough paper) the opening of the filled bag, and stitch across to seal it shut. I like to use a zig-zag stitch for this, and make sure to double back at each end so when I trim the thread closely to the bag, the stitching won't fall out.

So that's it! I often receive nice feedback commenting on how delightful the package looked when it arrived in the mailbox, and to me, that's motivation enough to continue creating pretty packages for shoppers to enjoy.

Got any questions? Ask them below and I will answer in the comments section. Want to learn a bit more about running an Etsy shop from home? See my last Reader Request post called Behind the Scenes Selling Online.

Comments

[Elizabeth]

you packaging is a genius idea. so pleasant to receive by the looks of it. hoorah!

[giselaandzoe]

i package in similar way, i love using vintage yarn when i can find it to wrap if not twine. i also do the hand written thank you card but love your touch of different color ink gel rather then the standard black or blue!

[Gillian Striker]

Wow - thank you for this post! That's one area of the selling process I could definitely use some pointers on - I feel that it would be so easy to get bogged down in the details of the shipping process that that's all I'd have time for - so thanks! I've got some brainstorming to do... ;)

-Gillian
www.oystervintage.com

[Hannah Clare]

I am in cute-packaging shock. Love it, love it.

[Sara]

shipping is my least favorite too! (well, I can't imagine its not most people's least). I love the sewed packaging...love it.

[Melissa]

Love it! I'm in the midst of branding and coming up with a packaging strategy for my own shop, so I can appreciate all of the time and thought that goes into this. While I am smitten with the sewn shipping bag, my product (knit hand muffs) can't really ship flat so I'm stuck with boxes. But the creative wheels are turning...

[Kristen]

I love that you sew the bag close.

[Christina]

I'm so impressed with this. LOVE your packaging, mandi!
have a happy, happy new year.

[Annalise Furman]

Wow! They look beautiful.
XOXO

[Megan Anderson]

Your packaging is so so pretty! There is a giant variety of sizes on the products in the shop my husband and I run, so pretty shipping is a big challenge.

I do have a tip for the hole punching though: Crop a Dile Big Bite (http://www.amazon.com/We-Memory-Keepers-Crop---Dile/dp/B0019K3QD8/ref=sr_1_2?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1325213245&sr=1-2). It can punch though a catalogue! Saves tons of time and keeps your hand from cramping up, totally worth the price (and you can use it to make other things too because it's an eyelet/snap setter).

[Tiffany B.]

Thank you for sharing this is great. I also sell on etsy and finding new and interesting ways to package is always fun. I really like how use the buttons.

[Rin Dawson]

Such Beautiful Products & pretty packaging! Look forward to reading all about your pretty things in 2012! Happy Holidays! Peace & Love -Rin @ www.paperedthoughts.blogspot.com.

[Rae Veda]

I love your packaging. So pretty. xo, rv

http://aneclecticheap.blogspot.com/

[Leah]

Wowza! I want to order something just to get that gorgeous package in the mail! What a neat way to ship! We use boxes provided by the post office but I definitely like to add a personal touch when I can!

-Leah
Superstition Vintage

[maria]

that bag idea is awesome! would definitely save a lot of money in buying supplies! gotta try that :)

[Trude]

So cute! Love the consistency and simplicity. Thanks for sharing!

[casybelle]

You inspired me! I just open an online shop and got my first customer. I prepared my own packaging using normal brown envelope and planning to print out my logo on to it, and it's not cheap. Your idea of the stamp is cool. I'm gonna get my stamp too. I'll try to use ribbons too. Thanks!