Packing Hints and Tips

I recieved an interesting comment to my blog yesterday from a lovely reader Casey (be sure to check out her blog!!  She has some amazing acorns!)

"Would you mind sometime sharing a little about how you develop packaging? I'm in the process of starting to really work on developing some solid packaging designs and would love to read some little tips and hints!"

I was very flattered, but I'm certainly not a guru.  :)  Still, I thought it would be an interesting experience to explain my process but give everyone something to think about too.  I can't be specific about everything because to be completely honest I have no idea how I come up with the ideas that I do.  I just research, sketch my thoughts, reinterpret them and then experiment.  Then after one or two don't work, I come up with a design that I'm satisfied with and.... it just works for me.  I'm a smart cookie.

After my large craft fair in July I found that my products were not appearring as professional as I wanted them to look.  When you are at an event with a lot of commercial products I find that you need your items to appear to compete with them.  Same goes for a craft fair, or a store.  What makes your item stand out from the person next to you?  How about the item that sits next to it on a shelf?  Also my badges sitting in a bowl with a handmade sign doesn't quite create the professional appearance that I want to express.  All of my items are made with such a high standard of quality that I wanted to ensure that the packaging enforced that.  Basically, I'm a perfectionist.   

So, why did I want packaging?

• Professional appearance.  I wanted people to focus on my items rather then be put off by the fact there was no packaging.  Most people buying products expect to have some sort of packaging for the item - that is the day and age we live in.  A consumer society where some things are just in our  subconscious and we don't often think of them.
• People won't buy gifts without packaging.
• Protection of the item.  Protection during shipment was very important as well as protection when the items are in stores.  Just image how many fingers will touch your works.  For me it was important that my mirrors and badges were protected as dirty fingers can really impact negatively on the items.

What to consider when packaging-

• Your packaging should reflect and enhance your work without distracting from it.  The items should 'match' and remain consistent as a way of reinforcing your brand image.
• You should choose a basic color scheme and a logo.
• You should decide whether an image of your work will work for you on your packaging.  For me it does not work for all of my packaging as it distracts from the objects.  eg, my mirrors/badges/magnets.  The packaging is quite small and any artwork other then the items will take the eyes off the product
• Should your items be in plastic?  Are you concerned about people touching your work?  Do they need protection?  My prints are printed on matte archival acid free paper which means any natural oils from our skins will reduce the longetivity of the print.  Simply put I don't want anyone touching the prints.  As a result for my store sales they are now sealed in plastic with a firm backing.
• Do your items need specific instructions to be legal to sell?  eg washing instructions, an age label? (children 3+ yrs only)
• If you sell clothing or plush toys do you want your brand to be recognised with a sewn in label?  Do you need to invest in ribbon labels?  What about iron on labels, or sewn in labels?
• Can the buyer see the product without needing a display item?  I found that when people were looking at my magnets and mirrors they always wanted to see the back of them, so I needed packaging that could be see through.
• Will a store hang your goods from hooks, or stand them up?
• If you are selling prints or original artworks are you going to display them framed or unframed?  If unframed, how will you display them?  Do you have support in your packaging such as cardboard?  What about a matt board frame?  Or do you sell them in a frame?

For me I researched other artists and products and how they displayed their items.  I also bought a lot of items that I liked and studied the packaging they arrived in.  I viewed hundreds of images and sorted through the ones that I thought looked professional and the ones that I felt needed much more work.  Ask yourself, do I want to buy this, or am I put off by the shabby packaging?  Is it just thrown in a mini cereal box?  Or wrapped in old used newspaper?  (umm... yes.. I've seen this.... scary...)

Most of all, how do you want to present your items?  There will be things that work, and things that don't.  Start writing lists.  Go and visit your department store with a notebook and pen.  They may not sell handmade items but these companies spend millions on packaging and displaying products.  See what they do and interpret it into your own work.  There is no reason you cannot learn from other people.  Just ensure that you re-interpret your ideas into a new concept and don't copy what someone else has done.  What works for me won't necessarily work for you.  Challenge yourself, be unique.  :)

Wow, I really have my thinking cap on tonight.  Tomorrow I'll be in the studio finishing up on some drawings.  I have a special christmas themed girl that I cannot wait to share!!!

Comments

[Anh]

Thank you for the tips; very informative. I love your "frames" packaging idea! Wish I had thought of it =P

[Stephanie]

What a thoroughly informative article on packaging, thank you! You've got me thinkin' hard!

[Casey]

Oh thank you so much for answering my question!! I just love how much thought you put into developing packaging for your products; it really shows from the pictures you've posted. I'm starting to realize that I need to spend some serious time with my "designer cap" on coming up with comps of packaging ideas. I'm going to print this post off to look over as I work on my new packaging. :)

Thanks again!!!

[Deb]

Great article. Indies always need more tips to help them promote their wares. Love your blog.

[Katanya]

Hi Ali

just purchased one of your beautiful cards and thought I'd find out more about you. I am very impressed to see there is more to you than just your girls (not that this would not be enough ;))some wonderful ideas and thought processes about packaging

[Jacquie]

Fantastic post. Really informative, I’m getting ready to put my art on to Etsy and your article has really given me some things to think about.

[Sandy]

Brilliant post, you're a clever chicky! Thanks for the hints and tips here.

[Shaylind Standing]

Awesome idea for a post! Packaging is super important and we should all be thinking about how to make ours great.

[Jayde]

Thanks for that post!! God knows I need all the help I can get hehe

[Miss Dot]

guess what! guess what! guess what!
I have finished your piece!!!!!!!!!! yayayay, if I waited for it to be perfect you would NEVER get it so I am sending it on with a few lumpy bits :-)
I STILL haven't heard back from the Market people argggg, they haven't processed the credit card or responded to my emails so I will try ringing them tomorrow. Email me a postal address so I can get her in the mail tomorrow? yay!