Packaging, Shipping & Making A Trip to USPS Easier

When starting a business, some people don't even consider the cost of shipping and packaging their products. You don't need to over package and spend a fortune on your packaging, you can make your packages memorable and protected on a budget.

Some don't believe in great packaging, but think about it - this is the first thing your customer sees. Their impression of your product and store begins when they see your package delivered. So how can you make it memorable on a budget?

I spend anywhere from $2.05 - $2.94 on packaging, including freebies. Freebies are not a mandatory thing, not every customer likes them, but sometimes it's nice to throw a little extra in there. Now sometimes these freebies include candy, and I personally am not a candy person. I typically do not eat the candy put in my packages, but some people do and they like it. That is a preference and option up to you. When buying candy, you do not need to spend a fortune. Typically you can just stock up after any holiday, especially Halloween, when the candy is all marked 75% off.

Below is a list of places and prices of where I get my packaging and shipping supplies.

Tissue Paper: I use tissue paper inside of the box, and it's the first thing I wrap my tumbler in because sometimes epoxy and bubble wrap don't mix well. I use about 2 sheets per tumbler, and 1-2 sheets per box. Total: $0.09 - $0.12.

Uline.com - 15" x 20" Size Sheets - 960 Sheets - $24 - $0.03/Sheet

Crinkle Paper: Some people don't like crinkle paper, but personally, i find it as a great alternative to protecting the products in the packages versus using too much bubble wrap. I use about a handful on small packages and 1-3 handfuls. Total: $0.18 - $0.54.

Uline.com - 10lb Box of Craft Color - $29/carton - $0.18/oz

Bubble Wrap: You can either wrap your tumblers in the bubble wrap it comes with (for example the stainless steel depot provides their tumblers in boxes with bubble wrap) or you can add extra protection with bubble wrap. Depending on the size of the tumbler, I use anywhere from 1 to 3 sheets of bubble wrap. Total: $0.11 - $0.33

Walmart - Duck Brand Original Bubble Wrap Cushioning - 12" x 150' - $16.88 - 150 approximate sheets - $0.11/sheet

Amazon - I also use the air filled bubbles from my amazon packaging for extra protection in packages. This is cost effective and a way to recycle packaging.

Boxes: There are several options for boxes. Some people decide to use the free boxes provided by USPS. If you go to USPS.com, you can have all different size priority boxes delivered to your home, for free. While free is always a great option to cut costs, you have to consider the shipping of those sizes, and even flat rate shipping for some. Some may not be cost effective in shipping costs, and high shipping costs can deter customers. Total: $0.64 - $0.81.

Ebay - The Boxery
- 10" x 4" x 4" corrugated boxes - 50 pack - $33.50 - $0.67/box
-12" x 4" x 4" corrugated boxes - 50 pack - $42.50 -  $0.85/box

Walmart
- 11.75" x 8" x 4.75" - 18 pack - $11.60 - $0.64/box
-12" x 10" x 8" - 25 pack - $20.35 - $0.81/box

Shipping Labels: When i first started shipping, I had very few orders that required shipping, so I did not feel the need to get a thermal printer. Since I now ship 90% of my orders, I felt that it would be more cost effective to purchase a $179 Rollo Thermal Printer.

Rollo Thermal Printer I found the most reviews on that had little to no issues. Dymo is a least expensive alternative. With Rollo, I am able to make designs and use different size colored labels to print them on without having to use my printer ink, which over time can become quite expensive. Whereas thermal printers, you do not need to ever replace ink. Total: $0.04

Thermal Labels - Rollo Brand - 4" x 6" - 500 Labels - $19.99 - $0.04/label
(You can purchase them on Amazon and directly through Rollo)
Kenco on Amazon - 2.25" x 1.25" - 1900 labels - $9.99 - $0.005/label (I use these to mark packages as FRAGILE or add my business social media information on it - I got them in Pink so they stand out)
Betcky on Amazon - 4" x 2" - 1500 Labels - $16.99 - $0.01/label

If you sign up for a UPS Business Account you can receive free thermal labels from them.

Business/Thank You/Care Cards: I buy all of my business cards, thank you cards and care cards for tshirts and tumblers from Vista Print. Total: $0.16 - $0.27

Business Cards: I got my business cards from Vista Print during a sale. Double Sided with my full color logo on one side and my information on the back (a QR code). I got 500 for $48.14. Total: $0.10

Care Cards: I use business cards as care cards for both my shirts and my tumblers. I use a tagging gun i got off of amazon to attach the business cards the tag on the shirt. I place the care cards inside the tumbler before I ship it.

I got 500 of each tumbler care cards and shirt care cards with my full color logo on one side and care instructions on the other. I got them for approximately $0.06 a piece.

Thank you Cards: I got 4" x 6" post cards with a thank you for choosing my small business, my logo, my social media information and a request to leave a review. I don't put these in every package, but the benefit of using these is if you print out the order on the thermal label you can stick it to the back of the post card. I got 750 for $0.07/each.

Poly Mailers: I buy my poly mailers for tshirts from UPaknShip.com For standard tshirts I use 7.5" x 10.5" recycled black poly mailers. They have tons of options for patterns - but I didn't feel the need for patterns since i had the packaging stickers. For 100 of that size it costs $3.79 which brings it to $0.04/each.

For larger shirt orders or hoodies I would use bigger bags sizing 10" x 13", 100 pack for $5.49 bringing it to

Extras with Packaging: Again, extras are not everyone's cup of tea, which is fine, but I believe in minimal extras to make your packaging standout but not make you spend more than needed. Total $0.77

Packaging stickers: I buy my packaging stickers from the Cooke Co. You can make your own easily if you have a vinyl cutting machine with print and cut capabilities, but I honestly don't have time.

The Cooke Co is an amazing company/small business that is in the business of supporting other small businesses. Their sticker sheet sets for packaging come with three sheets and start at $9 a set (set = 3 sheets) and depending on if you want foil, or sheets with smaller sized stickers the price can go up. I usually get the smaller sizes which are $1 more. When you buy 5 sets of stickers, you get 1 set for free. I use anywhere from 3-6 stickers, whether it is to seal the tissue paper, or decorate the outside of the box but on average I use about $0.60 worth of stickers per package. Total: $0.60

Another great thing about the Cooke Co is their custom vinyl stickers. I am a VIS (Very Important Sis) to which I have a 6 month membership with them where I have early access to sales and a 20% discount code. This allows me to buy my packaging stickers and my vinyl stickers at a discounted price. So not only am I getting 1 pack of stickers for free when I buy 5, but I am buying them at a discounted rate.

As freebies I like to throw in a vinyl sticker with my logo on it. I bought 500 custom vinyl stickers with my logo sticker during a 30% sale the Cooke Co was having and so I received them at $0.17 a piece. If you don't want to do your logo, The Cooke Co also has a ton of beautiful vinyl stickers at wholesale prices that you can also use as freebies in your packaging.

Packaging Supplies: You have to consider all aspects of shipping materials, this includes fragile stickers and tape.

Fragile Stickers: You can make fragile stickers with the rollo printer. I originally bought a roll off of Amazon that came with 500 2" x 3" Fragile Stickers for $6.99 costing $0.01 each. I use about 3 on a package - Total: $0.03.

Packaging Tape: I bought a heavy duty dispenser from walmart which is used with Scotch Packaging Tape. You can get these in rolls of four from walmart for $9.97. This comes out to $0.02 for 12 inches of tape. Total $0.03

Actual Shipping Costs: Using Shopify, they already have discounted shipping rates that are very comparable to other discount shipping sites. Shopify also gives you an option to schedule pickups through UPS and USPS, sometimes for small fees.

If you do not have a Shopify or do not want to use their rates, you can get discounted rates through PirateShip.com. Signing up for an account is free and they have discounted rates even on flat rate boxes. You can schedule pickups after printing shipping labels through Pirate Ship.

If you sign up with a UPS Business Account, you can work with them on making discounted rates for shipping as well and schedule pickups.