Someone across the country has purchased a piece of pottery that you’ve invested so much time and effort in. Maybe you’re looking to send a delicate piece of ceramic art to a loved one. Then again, you could have finally gotten into that big juried show and need your work to get there in one piece.
All of these possibilities are exciting, but just the thought of mailing a delicate porcelain teacup or an intricate set of custom painted tiles can seem daunting. I know that when I first started selling my pottery on Etsy, I would agonize for hours on how to make sure things arrived safely. Now after sending a few hundred packages, I’d like to share what I have learned.
Double Box Everything
The first step is finding a box slightly larger than the piece you are sending. Make sure to give yourself some wiggle room for your cushioning material. Then you will want to choose a second box slightly larger than the first. This will allow you to double box your package. Choosing a slightly larger box will not only make it easier to fit the first within it, but will allow you to place a layer of protective packing material around the inner box.
This may seem like overkill, but the second box provides valuable extra strength to keep the contents from getting crushed. Packages sometimes get punctured during their journey as well. Double boxing means that even if the outer box gets jabbed by a sharp corner or instrument, it is unlikely the damage will get through to the inner box and the item.
Provide Plenty of Cushioning
You will want to wrap your ceramic piece in several layers of cushioning for its journey. You need to keep in mind that it will travel many miles along bumpy roads, have other packages stacked on it, and will be tumbled about on conveyor belts and sorting machinery. Not to mention the fact that it is very likely that your package will be dropped, and possibly (though hopefully not) thrown or even kicked. Think of it this way, if you’re not comfortable with pushing your finished package off your kitchen counter and being confident in the result, your package isn’t secure enough!
Now there are a few options when it comes to packing materials. I have personally settled on packing peanuts and bubble wrap. (Bonus points if you buy the biodegradable kind!) When I first started sending out orders, I relied instead on tan craft paper and newsprint to provide my cushioning. Now I do appreciate that paper seems to settle less and provide a snug fit, but I soon realized it presented a serious problem. Using layers of paper quickly packs weight onto your package. Since shipping cost is mostly determined by weight, this quickly became expensive. I found that using a few layers of bubble wrap around my pottery and packing peanuts to fill large voids gave the most protection while adding the least weight. This should keep your shipping costs low, something that will surely keep you and your customers happy.
I place the majority of cushioning in the innermost box with the ceramic piece. Then, once the box is securely taped up, I will put it in the second box with a thin layer of cushioning between the walls. Then all that is left to do is add the packing slip, tape up the top, put on a label and you are good to go!
Extra Tips and Tricks:
Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments, or let me know if you have any shipping tips of your own!
All of these possibilities are exciting, but just the thought of mailing a delicate porcelain teacup or an intricate set of custom painted tiles can seem daunting. I know that when I first started selling my pottery on Etsy, I would agonize for hours on how to make sure things arrived safely. Now after sending a few hundred packages, I’d like to share what I have learned.
Double Box Everything
The first step is finding a box slightly larger than the piece you are sending. Make sure to give yourself some wiggle room for your cushioning material. Then you will want to choose a second box slightly larger than the first. This will allow you to double box your package. Choosing a slightly larger box will not only make it easier to fit the first within it, but will allow you to place a layer of protective packing material around the inner box.
This may seem like overkill, but the second box provides valuable extra strength to keep the contents from getting crushed. Packages sometimes get punctured during their journey as well. Double boxing means that even if the outer box gets jabbed by a sharp corner or instrument, it is unlikely the damage will get through to the inner box and the item.
Provide Plenty of Cushioning
You will want to wrap your ceramic piece in several layers of cushioning for its journey. You need to keep in mind that it will travel many miles along bumpy roads, have other packages stacked on it, and will be tumbled about on conveyor belts and sorting machinery. Not to mention the fact that it is very likely that your package will be dropped, and possibly (though hopefully not) thrown or even kicked. Think of it this way, if you’re not comfortable with pushing your finished package off your kitchen counter and being confident in the result, your package isn’t secure enough!
Now there are a few options when it comes to packing materials. I have personally settled on packing peanuts and bubble wrap. (Bonus points if you buy the biodegradable kind!) When I first started sending out orders, I relied instead on tan craft paper and newsprint to provide my cushioning. Now I do appreciate that paper seems to settle less and provide a snug fit, but I soon realized it presented a serious problem. Using layers of paper quickly packs weight onto your package. Since shipping cost is mostly determined by weight, this quickly became expensive. I found that using a few layers of bubble wrap around my pottery and packing peanuts to fill large voids gave the most protection while adding the least weight. This should keep your shipping costs low, something that will surely keep you and your customers happy.
I place the majority of cushioning in the innermost box with the ceramic piece. Then, once the box is securely taped up, I will put it in the second box with a thin layer of cushioning between the walls. Then all that is left to do is add the packing slip, tape up the top, put on a label and you are good to go!
Extra Tips and Tricks:
- Shop around for your packing materials, you can always find good deals if you look. If you plan on sending packages often, buying in bulk is a great way to save money!
- Can’t make it to the post office? You can schedule a free package pickup with the USPS on their website. They’ll collect your package on the day you need them to while they deliver your regular mail.
- Get free boxes from the post office if you’re using Priority Mail shipping. (These boxes can only be used with USPS Priority Mail Shipping). You can even order these online at the USPS website and have them delivered to your door for free.
- Invest in a good accurate scale to weigh your packages if you’re sending them frequently. Remember to always round up to the nearest pound!
Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments, or let me know if you have any shipping tips of your own!