How Should I Package My Item?

[aspanol]

Hi all,

i am doing a few orders for custom belts and small leather goods.

i am just wondering, how should i package the item?

Was thinking of using those brown paper bag, but do anyone have any other ideas or things they use to package the item?

Thanks!

[reddevil76]

Dude, I salute you! Just yesterday and today, you were still posting questions on how to burnish and how to punch holes in belts.

And you are already taking orders! I have been practising on and off for 6 months and have yet to summon the courage to declare my skills commercially viable.

You rock!

[Jazznow]

I'm now working with leather for 4 years and am still learning Sometimes i'm doing things for other people, but i'm always honest about my skills and do charge only cost for materials and a little bonus. Thats my way of getting some of the money back, i'm spending for my hobby.

@topic: You should avoid Newspaper paper since it could stain the leather. You could use tissue paper, which tailors use for copying their patterns.

Greetings,

Jazznow

[Suze]

How large are your other custom things (and what kind of price range are you charging?)

if you are selling key fobs for a few dollars a paper bag would be find in my opinion

if you are selling a wallet or some other higher ticket item you may want to look into small boxes for presentation. (You can always ask - do you want a box with that? some people will if they are giving it for a gift)

a belt can be rolled and put in a box

I wouldn't use cotton padding in the box - maybe tissue paper?

and if you are lucky right now you could probably still find markdowns in the Former Christmas Aisles

Of course take this advise from the person who doesn't SELL leather products (although I do merchant other things)

But I do know that the right presentation can let you add dollars to your item (wierd - I know) whatever you do use make it look like you CARE about your items - If you use paper bags --- still wrap the item up in a piece of tissue paper (not colored tissue - the ink runs) maybe a sticker of some sort to hold the tissue shut. (thats what the big stores do for ladies clothes - some people look for personal touches like that)

and you could print stickers out with a business address or name and web or e-mail address on it

good luck

[dirtclod]

I wrap most of my things in cheap white paper towels and wrap then them in bubble wrap and ship using Priority Mail with Delivery Conformation.

[Shorts]

First I tape the box up and line with newspaper. Then I put each item in an appropriately sized 4mil plastic bag, seal it and put it in the box. I use newspaper between items and to fill and loose space.

Nothing fancy, just pretty cheap but sufficient.

If the items are small, like extra belt loops I put the loops in a 4mil baggie then throw it in a bubble padded little envelop mailer and off it goes.

I ship everything USPS Priority and the rates are fairly decent. Print all my postage off Click 'n Ship.

Edited January 12, 2011 by Shorts

[aspanol]

Dude, I salute you! Just yesterday and today, you were still posting questions on how to burnish and how to punch holes in belts.

And you are already taking orders! I have been practising on and off for 6 months and have yet to summon the courage to declare my skills commercially viable.

You rock!

Sounds like you might just need more courage! most of the belts that i am doing are just raw untreated belt and burnishing are NOT NEEDED. Therefore, i took in the order. Also, about the hole punching. Its always good to learn more from other craftsmen regarding the way and method they used to gauge the length to punch hole. Well, learning doesn't stop at anytime. You might be a great tattoo artist, but you would definitely want to learn more from other better tattoo artist that have way more experience and are much talented than you.Would love to see some works from you though. Lastly, i do sell them at a pretty low price. So ya, maybe this could "help" you in some ways.

Edited January 12, 2011 by aspanol

[Big Papa Leather]

I wrap the item in white tissue paper. The type used to decorate presents/gift bags. Then wrap in bubble wrap and put in the shipping box.

Simple, inexpensive and a good presentation.

Allen

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

I for one hate over packaged items. I see sooooo much waste generated form items that have more packaging than item.

When I had my shop, I recycled lots of packing supplies from foam peanuts to newspaper. Check around some. Where I work now they toss garbage cans full of bubble wrap, foam sheets, air bags, and peanuts from items we order. Take a garbage bag with you to a company that moves some merchandise, and ask them if they wouldn't mind letting you have some of what they are tossing. My buddy had a motorcycle parts business, and he generated tons of boxes, and packing materials. For bagging parts we went through cases of 6mil ziplocks in the Jelly Belly Candy Co maintenance dept. Most that got tossed were still clean, and usable. Those plastic grocery bags work good to for sending stuff. Drop the item in, and tie the handles together. Remember to reduce, reuse, recycle when you can. With packing , it could mean free packing materials, which will up your profits.

We used to get bearings delivered from a local supplier in small dog food bags. They were rejects from the printing company.

[artificer13]

Attached is an image of how my bags are packed. This one was plastic wrapped to keep the fur from getting 'unruly' in shipping. Normal leather bags are simply placed in the microfibre storage bag and wrapped, then boxed with a care sheet.

It may be more than 'bare bones' packing, but I think receiving custom commissioned work should be an event. It's not something most people do every day.