Brown Paper Packages...

Tied up with string! These are a few of my favorite thiiiiiiiiiings!

Ok :)

So I thought I would share some of my new packaging ideas with you!

There was an article in The Etsy Storque last week, or maybe the week before, about packaging orders. I felt inspired to do a little work on my packaging. I've been selling on Etsy for a little over a year, and my packaging has certainly evolved.

So to begin with I use bubble wrap for all of my paintings. You can buy a whole roll of bubble wrap for $20.00 at Staples. I go through about a roll every three or four months. You can buy it in bulk, but unless you're selling a painting a day, you don't really need to.

I then wrap a brown craft paper over that, which you can also get at Staples for $3 0r $4. I think. Again, I only buy one of these every few months... I then decorate it with hearts and a big Thank You!
I recently started tieing a brown hemp cord around it and adding a buissness card along with a handwritten thank you note. I've been debating over the handwritten note for sometime...it takes a little extra time, but in the end I think it's a really nice touch. People who shop on Etsy, shop there not only because it has cool items, but because also because they get to buy directly from the artist. So, why not include a handwritten note to go along with their hand made item? Yeah, it might take a little extra time, but you know, I think in the end it's worth it.

Now, I have been working on the packaging of my prints and illustrations for awhile...
I don't even want to get into the details because I am a little embarrassed, but I will say that I have improved the packaging and my system A LOT.

So let's start out with with backings and the cello bags.
For awhile I was using the Kyrstal Clear Bags found on the ASW site.
And I still use these for my larger prints. However, I discovered that at my local comic book store they also carry 8" X 10" bags, as well as the archival backings that go with them...
You can get 100 of both for $10.00.
Awesome. So if you have a comic book store nearby, check them out.

Now for the really exciting thing that I just purchased for my prints and illustrations....
Non-bendy mailers!
Yes!
I really love these. You just pop your art work in and you're done! Before I was very carefully cutting down cardboard and sandwhiching the art between. It was time consuming..
I ordered them from the Uline website.
And in case you're wondering which ones they are...
They are right here.
I tie a little brown cord around that as well, and include a thank you note and a business card. :)

Okay, so now you have all of the things to protect your work, what are you going to ship it in?
You can also order boxes and mailers from Uline, which is fine. However, I have decided to ship all of my paintings Priority mail, and I will tell you why.
Fisrt of all the Priorty boxes are free, and you can order them in bulk here.
I decided to do this instead of buying boxes because even though you pay a little extra for the shipping, it really isn't THAT much more. The money you spend on the boxes usually equals to the money you spend on shipping it Priority. Also, I don't know about you but I seriously have no room for storing 100+ shipping boxes. And, the art work arrives a little quicker than if you send it first class, so the person that bought from you is a little happeir too!

Alright. I think I got everything covered.
Please feel free to add any of your shipping/packaging ideas to mine :)