When it comes to package design, creativity is king. But, when it comes to shipping, affordability is. When you combine that with a little common sense, the result can be magic.
The package is your first chance to make an impression on your customer… and the last shot at getting their attention if they don’t like what they see. So how do you create an attractive package that will still ship affordably?
Let’s take a look.
How To Ship Handmade Soap
1) Choose The Right Wrapping Materials
One of the biggest setbacks that you can have from your soap company is how you ship the product to your customers in good condition. Shipping soap is a massive task and if you want the products to reach your consumer safe and sound, there are certain things you can do.
While shipping might seem a bit complex, you can streamline the process effectively. That way, you can deliver stellar products to your customers on time and exceed their expectations. However, the first step starts with how you cost-effectively wrap the products.
When it comes to wrapping handmade soap, it is a great way of presentation. Most importantly, if you are selling the item online, it helps a lot during shipping. Here are some ways through which you can wrap your handmade soap and deliver it to your customer without issues.
Use shrink wrap bags
These kinds of bags have one edge sealed and another end open. The process of wrapping your handmade soap is straightforward. Insert the soap into the bag and ensure that it is centered.
Seal the ends of the bag with a heat sealer as far as you can. Next, use a heat gun all over the soap until the plastic shrinks to it. And, keep on doing that until you are satisfied.
Use wax paper
Spread out the wax sheet and cut the portion you need to warp the handmade soap. The process is simple as well and doesn’t need specialized tools or equipment. All you need is your hands. Place the soap in the center of the paper.
Wrap the paper around the soap to have a snug fit. Using your hand, wrap every part of the paper including the sides. Lastly, wrap your company label around the soap so that the paper doesn’t come out.
Place the soap inside a pouch and tie it
Find bags that complement your soap and insert them. You can either use transparent or darker bags. After you place the soaps inside the bag, gently tie them with strings so that the content remains intact.
Wrap the fabric around the soap and tie it with a ribbon
Take a good fabric according to your need and place the soap on it. If the soaps are of small size, you can add a few of them on one piece of cloth. Carefully gather the edges of the fabric around the soap and wrap it with a piece of string or ribbon around it.
2) Choose The Right Packaging Materials
When it comes to ship soap to a different region, many carriers provide you with materials that may or may not be helpful. However, envelopes and boxes are the most sought-after options when it is to shipping handmade soap.
Envelopes
If the items are small and durable, envelops should be the right choice. Most envelopes have bubble wrap in a small amount that provides padding.
Because handmade soaps are sturdy and flat most of the time, envelopes work best when it comes to packing the items for shipping.
Boxes
If your soaps are bigger or you find it hard to lay them flat, a box is the best option compared to an envelope. Moreover, they are best suited for delicate items like bath bombs. That’s because, you can fill boxes with lots of padding materials such as packaging peanuts, bubble wrap, and so on.
It is wise to choose a box that is slightly bigger than the product so that it has adequate space for packing materials. Place your handmade soaps in the center along with packing materials and tape the box securely.
Certain packing materials like bubble wrap doesn’t allow the contents in the box to move around. The packing materials fill up the space and are referred to as ‘loose fill’ because they fill space inside the box.
However, loose-fill options can vary according to the price and effectiveness. Hence, consider the right option and get along with your carrier. Packing peanuts are another popular and cost-effective solution that absorbs shocks and prevent items from moving around in the box.
Also, packing peanuts works great with different types of box sizes and shapes. Here is a breakdown of the popular choices.
Bubble wrap
The best part about bubble wrap is that it is cost-effective, easy to use and cleanup, works with uniform-shaped items, and great option for lightweight products. However, they might not fill up the extra spaces inside the box.
Packing Peanuts
They are cost-effective, absorb shock, fill up space, and are great for lightweight products. But packing peanuts are not effective against heavy packages. Sometimes, packing peanuts might leak during transit.
Foam Packaging
It gives you high-quality protection against heavier items and works well for both individual and multiple items. But foam packaging is expensive and has high setup costs.
3) Choose The Right Shipping Method
There is no such thing called the perfect shipping service because there are several variables that you should consider before calling them perfect. Everything from the location, to the kind of packaging, and all down to the driver that makes the delivery helps to determine how efficient the shipping service is.
But it is impossible to know whether or not the driver has delivered the package according to the claim by the shipping company. Therefore, you must ship your product early and make your packaging the best so that the content inside them remains safe.
Of all the popular choices for shipping, the United States Postal Service is the best option for small packages. Moreover, they make it easy by adding a wide range of Priority Mail Boxes for their customers to choose from free of cost. The size range varies from large boxes to envelopes. Also, they feature flat pricing.
For shipping larger packages, UPS and FedEx are popular choices as well. Besides, both of them offer free shipping who opt for their services. Tracking options, confirmation, and insurance are other important aspects that you should keep in mind.
4) Ship At The Right Time
Soap can melt at high temperatures, even the type of temperatures you might see in a parked postal truck on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
This is why it is important to know when you are shipping your product and where you are shipping your product. If it is in the middle of summer or particularly hot where you are or where your customers are, then you might want to consider sending out your packages on a Monday or a Tuesday.
If you ship them on a Friday it is possible they can get stuck in the back of a truck on a hot weekend and lose their shape in the high temperatures.
This is just something to consider!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few ways you can package your handmade soap. One way is to wrap each bar in plastic wrap or cellophane and then tie with a ribbon or string. Another way is to package the soap in a box lined with tissue paper. You can also package the soap in a muslin bag.
You will need to package your handmade soap securely before shipping. One way to do this is to wrap each bar in plastic wrap or cellophane and then tie with a ribbon or string. Another way is to package the soap in a box lined with tissue paper. You can also package the soap in a muslin bag.
The best shipping method for your handmade soap will depend on the size and weight of your package, as well as the destination. The United States Postal Service is a good option for small packages, while UPS and FedEx are popular choices for larger packages.
You should ship your handmade soap at the right time to avoid it melting in high temperatures. You might want to consider shipping your package on a Monday or Tuesday if it is summer or particularly hot where you are or where your customers are. If you ship on a Friday, it is possible the package can get stuck in the back of a truck on a hot weekend and melt.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a few things to keep in mind when shipping your handmade soap. First, you will need to package your soap securely.
Second, you should choose the right shipping method for your package. The United States Postal Service is a good option for small packages, while UPS and FedEx are popular choices for larger packages.
Third, you should ship your package at the right time to avoid it melting in high temperatures. You might want to consider shipping your package earlier in the week.
