Tips for Shipping Handmade Items to Save Time and Money!
As a handmade business owner, you pour your creativity and passion into every handcrafted product you make. But once your orders start rolling in, you might find the shipping process eating into your time, profit margin, and sanity. That’s where these tips for shipping handmade items to save time and money will come in handy!
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Whether you’re managing an Etsy shop, selling on Amazon Handmade or at craft fairs, or running an online marketplace – streamlining your shipping process is essential to business success.
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The good news is that with the right tools, like a few key tools, you can save time, cut shipping costs, and deliver a professional unboxing experience that wows your customer base and helps increase sales.
Let’s dive into some practical shipping tips for small businesses like yours to make your process more efficient and boost your handmade business profits.
Essential Tools to Make Shipping Handmade Crafts Easier
Every handmade business needs a streamlined shipping station to stay efficient. Here’s a setup to consider:
1. Munbyn RealWriter 401 AirPrint Thermal Printer
This thermal printer is the star of the show and will revolutionize your process. It’s especially helpful for Etsy shops and handmade sellers working with multiple online platforms like Shopify.
2. Pink Shipping Scale
Accuracy is an important factor in controlling shipping costs. The Munbyn pink shipping scale is both functional and stylish – a great place to start if you’re weighing packages for the postal service or planning to offer free shipping.
3. Packing Materials
Stock up on bubble mailers, poly mailers, bubble wrap, tissue paper, and sturdy boxes. You can even find some cute boxes that are colored or printed with a quick Google search. These materials not only protect your handmade goods but ensure they arrive intact. But they add a branded touch to make your item stand out. CUTE shipping ideas here.
Now add some personalized printed stickers or labels to thank your customer or encourage a tag or follow online, and it’s an easy way to gain more exposure from a current customer for pennies!
4. Pirate Ship for Shipping Discounts
Platforms like Pirate Ship can help you save on post office or other shipping fees with access to wholesale prices for shipping. Whether you’re shipping to different and so easy to set up. Check it out, I bet you love it too!
The Best Way to Streamline Your Handmade Business Shipping
If you’re still printing shipping labels on inkjet printers, let me introduce you to the Munbyn RealWriter 401 AirPrint Thermal Printer. This sleek, efficient tool is a great way to simplify your shipping process.
Special Discount for you! The discount code “BLOG12OFF” offers a 12% discount on orders, with no minimum purchase required. The code is valid for US, UK, Australia, and Canada! Learn more HERE
Why Choose a Thermal Printer for Handmade Goods?
I thought a printer would cost me more money, but I found out it ended up saving me money. Here’s how…
1. No More Ink Costs
Unlike traditional printers, thermal printers don’t require ink cartridges. This is a good idea for handmade sellers looking to save on recurring expenses. With the RealWriter 401, you’ll see an immediate impact on your profit margin, allowing you to reinvest those savings into craft supplies, packaging upgrades, or other areas of your craft business.
2. Fast and Easy Label Printing
Speed matters when you’re fulfilling orders, especially during busy seasons or when promoting a new product. My Munbyn RealWriter 401 prints crisp, high-quality labels in seconds, making it a good option for online craft sellers who want to reduce shipping time and keep up with demand.
3. Professional and On-Brand Packaging
Your handmade items deserve packaging that reflects their quality. High-quality labels printed with the RealWriter 401 can include your logo, website, or even special messages to customers. These little touches enhance your brand and make your handcrafted product feel more special.
5 Sticker Ideas for Your Craft Business
Essential shipping tools is a must for good use of your time. But it can also be a good referral program with the right sticker. Create stickers and include them, or add to your packing, to help you grow!
Here are my top 5 ways to use stickers for craft business growth. Create Stickers that …
- Encourage followers on your social media.
- Ask for a photo and a tag showing your handmade item.
- Make cute branded stickers people love to use on a water bottle or notebook that also have your brand name.
- Create a sticker that complements your brand and customers enjoy. Give them as a gift to encourage email sign-ups at craft fairs.
- Include a cute branded sticker (with your name, website or logo) as a free gift with orders. We all love little treats!
You can even use them for Crafting!
What I like best about Thermal Printers
When I started shipping my Small Business Planners in 2018, I didn’t want “more expenses” for my business. I was looking for ways to make more profit (after all, that’s what makes this a business and not a hobby). The thought of buying a printer and labels felt like the wrong mission. Then I looked at the time I was spent printing on paper, cutting them out, and then hand-taping them onto the packages. It was so not a good use of my time.
So how did they save me money? These Mynbyn thermal sticker labels and printers don’t need ink cartridges, and you can create so much!
I now use my stickers/labels on:
- Product Labels
- Packaging Labels
- Marketing materials (shown here)
These provide a professional and cohesive look to your craft business.
How to Brand Your Handmade Packages
No marketing or branding experience? No problem! Packaging isn’t JUST about getting your handmade pieces safely to their destination. It’s a marketing opportunity that can strengthen your connection with customers.
- Product Labels
- Packaging Labels
- Marketing materials (shown here)
- And cards for crafting!
Use my (easy to follow) steps with how I use the Munbyn RealWriter 401 to create memorable packaging for my Small Business Planners:
- Professional-Looking Labels: High-quality shipping labels ensure my packages look polished and professional. This makes customers feel great about their purchase and reflects the care I put into my products.
- Fun Shaped Labels for Personal Touches: I print cute, shaped labels with thank-you notes or fun messages that feel personal and thoughtful. It’s a good idea to include a little tag or message like, “Thank you for supporting my small business!”
- Upselling Opportunities: I add stickers reminding customers to check out other products in my shop or visit my blog. These small touches help me stay connected with my audience and encourage repeat business.
Time-Saving Shipping Tips for Handmade Sellers
Time is money, especially when you’re juggling creating, marketing, and shipping your handmade crafts. Here are some ways to save time with your shipping process:
- Batch Your Shipping Tasks. Group similar tasks together—print all labels at once, pack orders in batches, and schedule postal pickups. This keeps you organized and maximizes efficiency.
- Use a Shipping Scale. Ensure accurate package weights to avoid overpaying or having packages returned. This is particularly useful when shipping larger items or offering flat-rate shipping on online marketplaces.
- Pre-Print Fun Labels. Use the Munbyn RealWriter 401 to pre-print thank-you stickers, promotional labels, or QR codes linking to your own online store. These can be added to packages quickly, saving you time while enhancing your branding.
Why Shipping Speed Matters for Handmade Sellers
In the world of handmade products, fast shipping isn’t just a perk—it’s a customer expectation. Efficient shipping helps:
- Impress Potential Customers: Quick delivery makes a lasting impression and increases the likelihood of repeat business.
- Free Up Your Time: Faster shipping processes mean more time for crafting, marketing, and growing your own website or Etsy shop.
- Handle Large Orders Seamlessly: For wholesale customers or during busy periods, an efficient shipping setup ensures you meet deadlines without stress.
These easy-to-create labels provide a professional and cohesive look to your craft business.
tips for shipping handmade items to save time and money
Thermal printers aren’t just for large retailers. They’re an excellent tool for a wide variety of small businesses, including:
Who Can Benefit from the Munbyn RealWriter 401?
- Etsy Shops
- Online Craft Sellers with a Handmade Shop
- Boutique Retail Stores (eCommerce website)
- Handmade Sellers with Custom Orders
- Craft Businesses Shipping
- Handmade Goods Sellers Offering Fast Shipping
Packaging Tips to Enhance Your Customer Experience
Your packaging is an extension of your brand. Make it memorable with these tips:
1. Use Branded Packing Materials
Add your logo, mission, or tagline to your bubble mailers, tissue paper, or custom stickers. This helps customers associate your handmade business with quality and professionalism.
2. Include a Business Card
Slip a business card into every order to encourage customers to follow your own store or explore other popular products.
3. Pack with Care
For delicate or larger items, use protective materials like bubble wrap to prevent damage during transit. A little extra care goes a long way in building trust with your customers.
Connecting Branding and Shipping For Handmade Business Owners
Incorporating branding into your shipping process is one of the best ways to elevate your handmade items. For a deep dive into this topic, check out my blog post: How to Easily Add Your Branding to Your Craft Business. This post highlights creative ways to use printable labels for marketing, packaging, and more.
Why Shipping is Key to Growing Your Craft Business
Shipping isn’t just a final step—it’s an integral part of your customer’s experience. As a craft business owner, ensuring that your handmade goods arrive safely, quickly, and beautifully packaged builds trust and fosters repeat business. Customers who receive a thoughtful, branded package are more likely to share their experience online, recommend your handmade business to friends, or return to your online shop to explore your popular products.
Beyond customer satisfaction, efficient shipping directly impacts your profit margin. By investing in time-saving tools like the Munbyn RealWriter 401, you free up more time to focus on scaling your online marketplace presence, expanding your offerings, or attending craft fairs to grow your customer base.
The Best Way to Offer Free Shipping Without Hurting Your Craft Business
Many customers expect free shipping, especially when shopping on online platforms like Etsy or Amazon Handmade. But offering free shipping shouldn’t mean cutting into your profits.
To offer free shipping strategically, consider these tips:
1. Calculate Accurate Costs
Using a reliable shipping scale, like the Munbyn pink scale, ensures that you’re not overestimating or underestimating package weights. This is particularly helpful for larger items or bulk orders.
2. Incorporate Shipping Costs into Product Pricing
Add a small percentage of the shipping cost into your product price, especially for high-value items. Customers often prefer seeing “free shipping” rather than a lower price with shipping added at checkout.
3. Leverage Discounted Rates
Platforms like Pirate Ship help you access wholesale prices and reduced rates on postage. Pair these savings with your thermal printer to maximize efficiency.
Increasing Customer Retention Through Shipping
Your shipping process is also an opportunity to build loyalty. Including personalized labels and branded packaging creates a memorable experience for your customers. Here’s how thoughtful shipping can help:
- Leave a Lasting Impression: Adding a thank-you note or a little tag with a heartfelt message strengthens the connection between you and your customers.
- Encourage Social Media Shares: A beautifully packaged order is a great way to get customers to share your brand with their followers, bringing in new potential customers.
- Introduce Upsells: Use fun-shaped labels to promote other products or services, reminding customers of the variety in your own online store or Etsy shop.
Crafting a Shipping Strategy for Wholesale Orders
If you’re expanding into wholesale or working with retail stores, your shipping strategy becomes even more crucial. Wholesale buyers often expect professional packaging and timely delivery.
- Professional Labels: Use the Munbyn RealWriter 401 to create clear, professional shipping labels that reflect the quality of your brand.
- Scalable Processes: Streamline your workflow with batch label printing to handle large orders efficiently.
- Accurate Packing: Invest in quality packing materials like bubble mailers, boxes, and tissue paper to ensure your kind products arrive safely and intact.
With a solid shipping process, you’ll impress wholesale customers and strengthen your reputation in the handmade industry.
By optimizing every step of your shipping process, from packaging to postage, you can take your craft business to the next level. With tools like the Munbyn RealWriter 401, you’ll save time, reduce costs, and leave a lasting impression on your customers.
Final Thoughts: Invest in Efficiency
The last thing you want as a business owner is to spend more time on shipping than creating. By using tools like the Munbyn RealWriter 401 AirPrint Thermal Printer, you can streamline your shipping process, reduce costs, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.
From its no-ink-required technology to its ability to print professional, branded labels, this printer is a game-changer for any handmade business looking to save time and increase profits.
With the right tools, your shipping process can go from a time-consuming chore to a seamless part of your operation, freeing you up to focus on creating handmade goods your customers will love.
Special Discount for you! The discount code “BLOG12OFF” offers a 12% discount on orders, with no minimum purchase required. The code is valid for US, UK, Australia, and Canada! Learn more HERE
Ready to streamline your shipping process? Invest in the Munbyn RealWriter 401 and take the stress out of shipping!
