Packaging is something that concerns me. Truth be told, I'm pretty crap at it. As hard as I try, I find it difficult to wrap the unusual shapes of a dachshund, a hippo and a kiwi. I get packages from other crafters and Etsy sellers and I often think they spent more on packaging than on the product. Why is this?! I like nice packages, but I'd personally don't want to invest in packaging. Big companies certainly don't splurge. Remember, Amazon once sent me my books in a giant blue tarp.
I have issues with this at the markets too. I used to give everything out in recycled shopping bags. Ever since stores have started charging me for bags, I have less and less of these for the markets. I have some oversized ziploc bags for purchases now. It's functional and economic, but hardly green. I do long for some brown paper bags and a gocco, but in this day and age what is the minimum expectation for product packaging?
Why is it that most crafters put the extra effort in on things they ship things? I've seriously gotten things that are bubble-wrapped, then tied with a ribbon, then brown paper wrapped, then another ribbon and then put in a box. What's with the overkill of packaging? It's pretty yes, but shouldn't your purchase be all about the product? Surely you have an opinion on this?! Help me out here.
Back to those sticker books...
I trialed an assortment of images and logos. Moo then shuffles them around randomly onto 15 pages of 6 stickers each. They are awesome stickers and great quality images. Super shiny! Rocktastic, as Des might say. I'd like them about one centimeter bigger, but they are still pretty cool. I just want to stick them everywhere. If you visit me at the market this week, I'll give you some.
I like nice packaging. I like it because when I order things or recieve them, its kind of an event for me. Its a part of the expierence. A lot of the time, the wrappings are so cute I almost don't want to unwrap it! Also, I have been known to snap a few pictures of it before it gets torn open. I usually reuse all the packaging for my own gifts and packages.
ReplyDeleteBut you are right. I would rather time be put into the object I am buying and not the time it takes to package it.
Those stickers are ace! Whilst the wrapping is nice, I can't wait to get to what is underneath! I do recycle any packaging materials that I receive. I tend to send my goodies wrapped in white tissue paper, tied with string with a stamped tag. Simple, yet effective.
ReplyDeleteHmm I have the same conundrum. Pretty packaging (which I think shows that you care about your product and value it) vs environmentally friendly. I think I'll go the minimal packaging route and hope people understand my reasons behind it and embrace it.
ReplyDeleteI've never quite understood the whole wrapping/packaging thing but it is nice when you receive something that is packaged beautifully. I wrap in tissue paper and white ribbon but I can understand how hard it would be to wrap hippos etc.
ReplyDeleteLove those stickers - I'm glad you posted about them as I was about to order some yesterday but wasn't sure what they would be like.
Christine xo
These stickers are awesome.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I understand that people like each item to feel like a special experience, I am with you when it comes to packaging. I like to save money and trees.
I package each piece in a small organza pouch, I write a nice note, and I address the bubble mailer with in my signature style. I have been thinking about adding a sticker to my repertoire. Hmmm.
I'm really crap at packaging too. I usually use a freezer bag for protection and then a brown paper sandwich bag over the top.
ReplyDeleteI try to re-use all the packaging that I receive (even the envelopes) when I do swaps and things like that.
When I did the market last week, 90% of the customers had fabric carry bags inside their handbags that they whipped out when they bought something. I was completely impressed. I took carry bags and didn't give any out!
I love pretty packaging, but hate it when it seems wasteful. I'd much rather get recycled packaging. I have contemplated selling my creations, but I have no idea what I would do about the packaging of things. I think people expect cute packaging, but I don't know how to do it in a way that I don't think is wasteful and I worry it would hurt my business somehow for it not to be cute!
ReplyDeleteAt markets I usually offer those brown carry bags (or sometimes white ones I've picked up at Spotlight). For orders online I usually wrap them in vintage pattern pieces that I won't use, tie them with string and then pop them in the satchel. Depending on what it is, the weather and if it is a satchel or an envelope I might pop the wrapped item in a plastic zip lock bag for protection
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. I think a balance can be found between pretty and not wasteful. I also wish that plastic could be avoided all together, but when with a fear of the package getting wet, that's tough...LOVE the stickers by the way.
ReplyDeleteYES, I have an opinion! I'm thinking those that do the wrapping overkill are more in it for a hobby.??? I so do not have time and money to add packaging costs to my bottom line. I take care and send clean, beautiful products that are wrapped functionately and sweet.
ReplyDeleteI am so full of crap, I have no idea what I just said but I completely understand where you're coming from. Now I want stickers. Those are truly ROCKtastic!!!
One of the reasons I choose handmade over store bought is because of the time and effort that went into the PRODUCT, but I'm all for green packaging!!! I'm sure the vast majority of people understand.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of ways to make your packaging look nice, but be thrifty and eco-friendly. CRAFT has loads of ideas you could use. Happy thrifting x
See, that's just not fair because I can't visit you at the market! ;-) Great stickers....
ReplyDeleteAs for packaging, I remember nicely done things but if the product is fantastic, the packaging doesn't need to be. So, I don't think you need to worry about wasting too much effort there!!
I totally agree, even though I love it when I get nicely wrapped packages. My suggestion is to use old thrifted patterns to wrap, it looks really good and you can get those for cheap everywhere ;D
ReplyDeleteAs a buyer I LOVE when my purchases come wrapped prettily. It's like receiving a gift in the mail (even if you did buy it yourself). But as a buyer I also don't mind if it's just plain sensibly wrapped. I don't like it when my purchase is just shoved in an envelope and posted, especially with no note, but as much as I love special gift wrap I certainly don't have to have it! I figure it's a seller's personal preference and I'm not fussy either way.
ReplyDeleteAs a seller i like to wrap outgoing purchases like a gift because I know how awesome it is to receive little presents in the mail. But I can't afford super fancy packaging. For really small things I use tiny ziploc bags with homemade paper toppers on top. If I want to wrap something I use brown craft paper, tied in ribbon (whenever I see ribbon on sale I buy a bunch) and with a hand-stamped sticker on top for my personal style.
And I always try to reuse envelopes/boxes when I can, unless someone asks for new packaging!
At the recent show I went to I bought a whole bunch of paper lunchbags for people to have if they bought something (most of my stuff is small so a bag with handles is overkill!) but 99% of people already had their own bags, it was fantastic!
~Holly
http://twocheeseplease.livejournal.com
Amy, love those stickers. I think you should see packaging as part of your overall product proposition and you should be costing this into your product costings. When you are at the markets a differnet packaging style is required to the one you use for Etsy/Madeit/Big Cartel...I think that consumer is expecting it to be wrapped/packaged appropriately to come thru the maail whereas yr market customer will think differently
ReplyDeleteWow, lots of feed back and different ideas. I like the stickers! Show us what you come up with? :)
ReplyDeleteCan definitely justify that spend, those stickers are AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteOooh, cute idea! I like to recieve pretty packages, so I try and do the same in return. I usually wrap my item in tissue paper (reuse what i've recieved in previous gifts or when items are purchased and wrapped) and tie with a little raffia and a tag. I also like to put a little note on the back of some original (craft related) photography I print at home. All of that amounts to pennies, but looks very nice when taken out of the envalope/box.
ReplyDeleteYou got me! I ordered stickers and postcards! Don't you wish you could get a commission off that click? Actually, I noticed that Etsy had partnered with moo.com for business cards (too bad I had ordered mine already) so I was familiar with the name. Didn't know they could do stickers though. I had wanted some stickers to close the tissue paper we wrap our goods in. Don't worry, it's recycled (from previous gifts.) Your stickers look great too!
ReplyDeleteAnna