By contributing columnist Megan Eckman aka Sudiomme

With the holiday season fast approaching, now is the time to get your packaging supplies in order.  And while you’re stocking up, why not consider a few new tricks to really impress your customers?  All it takes are a few simple items you already have around your house.

Ribbons:  You get them all the time on packages, so why not reuse them?  Tie up your multiple orders with a large scrap of ribbon or punch a hole in your Thank You card and make it a tag by stringing a colorful ribbon through it.

Magazines:  Magazine pages can be used for almost all of your packaging needs.  You can sew pages over used bubble mailers to make them new again.  You can use them as stuffing in lieu of packaging peanuts, which are not environmentally friendly.  Or, if your product is small enough, you could trace the shape of your favorite envelope onto a magazine page to construct your own, colorful mailing envelope.  Such envelopes can also be found on Etsy for a small price from sellers like Adnagam (www.adnagam.etsy.com) and Studio M.M.E. (www.studiomme.etsy.com)  If your product is larger, you can always make the envelopes for your included Thank You card.

Colorful Paper:  Like the magazine pages, colored paper can easily be turned into envelopes.  If your product is small, like a piece of jewelry, you can add a personal touch, and save a few dollars, by constructing an origami box.  A tutorial by Etsy labs can be found online at Youtube.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBf957XC-4k)

Address Labels:  To make your packing go faster, pre-print a page of labels with your business information.  Make sure to add your logo or avatar to increase your branding.  You can also use extra labels to make stickers.  Maybe a product picture, or your shop’s name in a creative font.  You can put the stickers on the outside of the package to decorate or on the inside to hold the ends of the tissue paper.

If you’re in need of more packaging supplies, skip the craft shops and head to thrift stores, estate sales, or your friend’s house.  You can also ask your local office supply store managers to use their bubble wrap if they’re not going to reuse it.  Doctor’s and dentist’s offices are great places to get magazines, and if you’re in need of cardboard boxes, I know of no better place to go than your local recycling center.

For more ideas, you can watch Etsy’s “Holiday How-To Series” on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww2tvzmVXgY) or go to Flickr and check out the Etsy Packaging group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/etsypackaging/).  So, be creative, be eco-friendly, and above all, make your package a joy to receive.  

Images courtesy of these Etsy shops:

Uncorked

Dog Dreams

Homegrown Gems

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Tags: address labels, branding, bubble mailers, colored paper, envelopes, etsy, etsy packaging, holiday how-to, holidays, logo, magazine pages, packaging, ribbons, shops

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