Hi friends!
This week we're talking about packaging.
Is it important?
Will people notice?
The other night I sent out this tweet:
not to my surprise, people concurred that if they purchase an item from a handmade shop online, they expect it to be packaged beautifully.
Why?
People buy handmade for many reasons, obviously, but one of the main reasons that people spend their hard-earned cash on something YOU made is because they connect with you. They like what you're doing. They appreciate your skill. They get your eye for design. At this point, your product becomes something they need.
When we purchase something from Amazon or Target.com, we don't expect any thought to be put into our package. The only thing we care about is whether they sent the right size shoes.
When we purchase from a handmade shop, we expect the thing we ordered to be packaged with beauty and care and THIS is why I love our handmade community!
Packaging should reflect your product, and your brand.
When you don't have your products in brick and mortar stores, packaging is your lifeline. Its what your customers first see in real life. Its their "first impression"of YOU.
I package my products so the product is the main focus. I tie twine around the clutch, and place them clear cellophane bags. I ALWAYS add one or two biz cards (for them to give their friends!) and try to write a handwritten "thank you!" to my customers.
Sew Caroline Handmade
Ilene from Much Love, Illy, tells her customers in each listing that each of her packages are "ready for gift giving". She takes intimate care of all of her items, and when you purchase from her you really feel as if you're getting a little treat in the mail!
Much Love, Illy
Jen from Rellas Bellas packages her necklaces and headbands with love. Each of her items are placed in decorated boxes fitted perfectly for each item. A gift is awaiting for you in your mailbox when you order something from her shop!
Rellas Bellas
Lindsay from Pen and Paint packages her prints with the utmost care to insure they make it to their final destination unharmed. Her packaging is sweet and simple and always lets her customers know that their package was handmade with lots of love!
Pen and Paint
These are a few of my handmade friends who I think do a fabulous job of packaging their products.
What is your opinion on handmade packaging?
Do you think it matters?
i LOVE me some pretty packaging... it's the one thing I want to strive to get better at ;) !
ReplyDeletelove this series! i'm curious as to how folks who sell canvas art package their pretties...
ReplyDeleteI don't expect it, but I definitely sit up and notice the sellers that put in that extra effort.
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate it but then all the added extras that will be passed onto you as the customer. Rhe boxes, the cards the seller will be charging you for in the pricing to make sure they aren't doing it at a loss.
ReplyDeleteI just completely revamped my packaging and streamlined it.
ReplyDeleteThe goal was to make the packages something that people would be excited to receive and open.
I spent a day at the Paper Source trying to get bakers twine, stickers, labels, and paper that all match.
I also include a bright colored coupon for their next visit.
Now that it's streamlined packing has become super fun!
I do notice when small boutiques or handmade items are wrapped beautifully... It feels like a little extra love was added. lol
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you! I love packaging up my orders! A little bakers twine, washi tape, and a hand written note can go such a long way! I use kraft mailers and doodle on each one a little differently for each order, mostly because I love doing it, but I think it really adds that handmade feel that wins my customers over. Receiving an order from another handmade shop is always so exciting because of the little details in the packaging.
ReplyDelete-ello lovey
Thanks for the reminder. In the throws of busy season it's so easy to forget this! :)
ReplyDeletelove this series :) thanks so much for including my packaging xoxo
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love pretty packaging when I buy something handmade. And, I do my best to package my items the way that I'd like to receive them. Washi tape, bakers twine and cute thank you cards are my best friends when it comes to packaging.
ReplyDeleteI love pretty packaging! I actually have modeled my current packaging off of a lot of other handmade shops that I love. Funny enough I even bought a bunch of Pen & Paint's Handmade with <3 cards to write little thank you's to my customers with every order :) Its the little touches that count in my book and what keeps me going back to a shop.
ReplyDelete