Postage and packaging for your small business
So you’ve started your dream craft brand and things are going pretty well; your website is set up, your social media is growing and now the orders are rolling in. But how to we tackle the terror that is getting your products to your customers in the safest, most cost-effective way? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
1
Calculating costs
As a rule of thumb, we want to be charging for 3 things in our business - materials, time and postage. Now whilst this is a blog about postage and packaging it’s key to make sure the cost of postage and packaging is accounted for in your business from the offset.
It’s up to you if you want to include postage in the price or if you want to have a ‘plus postage model’ but either way we need to add the cost on. Don’t forget to also add packaging, including tissue paper, labels, postcards, tape etc.
2
Pack it up
When it comes to your packaging, it’s important to make sure everything arrives safely, but it’s as important not to overdo things as this can get expensive for small businesses. At the minimum we’d recommend including:
- A business card or printed marketing materials to drive to your website and socials
- Some tissue paper or your preferred wrapping
- Protective packaging (if required)
- Outer packaging
- Postage label
Whilst this might not seem like a huge list to of things to include, it’s important to remember that most of the packaging included will go into the recycling and so to keep costs down, keep it lean.
3
Test it out
As a little additional step test out a few ‘trial’ parcels before you start sending to customers. Post them to yourself or a loved one and check that everything makes it one piece; after all it’s better to encounter an issue with someone you know that you can tweak than with an angry customer!
4
Alternative packing hacks
If there’s one thing you can count on a small business owner for, it’s being thrifty and so here’s a few of our favourite packaging hacks:
- Print your own paper: Instead of investing in hugely expensive personalised tissue paper, did you know you can print your logo onto vellum paper using an ink jet printer? It’s simple to do and means you can print as you go, keeping costs down
- Invest in stickers: If you want to add some pizazz to your packaging, instead of looking into custom options, invest in stickers. A sticker printer or even a Cricut machine can help you achieve the custom look for less and what’s more, you can change things up whenever you like!
- Repurpose that packaging: Customers love to help you save the planet and so don’t be afraid to offer the option to use those old Hobbycraft delivery boxes to fulfil your next order!
If you’re looking for more support, tips and tricks for running your small business, no matter if you’re just starting out or if you’re looking to take things to the next level, we’ve got you covered.
