How can you make your products look special?
There are some easy and creative ways to make your handmade products different from the rest at festivals or shows and make a special surprise for customers ordering your products. This lens is all about using creative packaging to make your creations stand out from the crowd and make them memorable for your customers.
How much time and effort you want to put into your packaging is totally up to you. You can quickly create simple stylish packaging or spend more time creating something totally customized to your business.
Why Is Creative Packaging Important?
You are competing with not only other producers of handmade products but with mass produced items. Your handmade products are more expensive than those from a factory assembly line, but, for very good reasons. The extra time, effort, and expertise (not to mention passion) that goes into handmade products are what make them worth the extra price to your buyers. Your packaging needs to reflect this care, effort, and passion.
Books on Creative Packaging
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCustomizing your Hang Tags
Ideas for making your own tags
Print tags out on colored card stock. Use big shape punches to create fun shapes for your tags. Use colorful ribbon, yarn, or embroidery floss to tie your tags on. Add beads or tassels to the tag for added decoration. Emboss the tags. Add color with markers, colored pencil, or watercolors.
These are my current tags (I plan a redesign soon). Not only do they have my business name for my customer but they also have my contact info, background on my creations, and how to care for my polymer clay creations. I think the glass bead on each adds a nice touch.
You can use these same tips to create custom earring cards as well.
Business Cards as Hang Tags
VistaPrint has Free Business Cards
Tips and Resources for Making your Own Tags
- Jewelry Hang Tags and Earring Cards
- Tips for jewelry hang tags and earring cards that lend your jewelry a very professional impression and give your customers a way to keep in touch with you.
- GalleriaLinda Showcase: How to Make Beautiful Earring Cards!
- How to Make Beautiful Earring Cards! Now that I am addicted to making earrings after I took a wire wrapping class, I have had to figure out new photo elements, as well as how to display and ship the earrings.
- Make Jewelry Tags from Business Cards
- Make jewelry tags from business cards that you have printed professionally online, for a fantastically professional look. Pamela Vale shows you how to do it cheaply and easily.
Some Materials to Get you Started Making your Tags
Beautiful Custom Printed Tags on Etsy
There are some wonderful shops on Etsy that sell unique hang tags.
- Etsy :: BarkingDogsBoutique :: Scrapbook and Paper Craft Boutique
- Handmade Cards and Tags
- Etsy :: maxandbella :: Welcome to Max and Bella!
- I am a graphic artist by nature and LOVE to create so if you have a special request, please convo me and I'll do my best to create something spectacular for you. =) Please note that a $5. custom design fee will apply. Thanks!
- Etsy :: KnottyStash :: KnottyByNature's sister store!
- Lots of pretty tags.
- Etsy :: pacokeco :: Pacokeco's Scribbles - Yummy Paper Goodness
- Yummy Paper Goodness
- Etsy :: entertainingangels :: ....prettier than e-mail & cheaper than hallmark....
- ....prettier than e-mail & cheaper than hallmark....
Pretty Hang Tags on Flickr
Some inspiration to look at.
"Wink Designs" hang tags/ gift tags for patchwork scarves made...
new custom hang tag order i shipped today to my lovely client meredith :)
SOLD
A bunch of new tags for the shop. Finally!
Letterpress printed Hang Tag.
Just listed these on ebay.
These handmade hangtags include a stencil on one side and custom artwork on the ...
recycled from boxes.
Made from Amy Butler paper.
See profile for more info
This set of hang tags are 100% post consumer waste handmade recycled paper.
DIY Design Book
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCreating Beautiful Packaging Video
More Video Tutorials for Creative Packaging
Custom Gift Bags and Boxes
Giving your customers something to keep their purchases in is a very helpful touch that they will appreciate. But instead of a plain bag or box give them something special. Try some of these ideas for making your gift bags and boxes stand out.Spicing up gift boxes.
Use custom printed stickers Or a custom rubber stamp Sign them Add ribbon around the edge Decoupage vintage clipart onto them Add a charm or button on top Use ribbon or cord to make a carrying handle Draw or paint on them.
Embellishing gift bags.
Add beads to the drawstring Print out your logo onto iron-on transfer paper and iron the design onto the bag Screen print your bag. Here is a DIY screenprinting tutorial Sign the bag using fabric markers Use iron-on transfers or applique. Add a hang tag to the bag.
Try making your own bags and boxes!
Examples
Some more of my packaging
Tutorials and Patterns for Making your Own Gift Bags and Boxes
- Make a Jewelry Pouch without Sewing - Tutorial
- Make a jewelry pouch with this tutorial - it's simple, fast, elegant, and no sewing is needed!
- Good Luck Gift Bags - the purl bee
- Very cute bag pattern. I adapted it for making my gift bags.
- YarnEnvy: How To Make My Leetle Bag
- As promised, I made another Leetle Bag and documented the process for you.
- How to Make Jewelry Boxes
- You can make jewelry boxes for your customers quickly and easily, with this fun do-it-yourself project.
- Origami Instructions - Origami Box Instructions
- Origami folding instructions - Use pretty colorful papers for gift boxes to make them stand out.
- Gift Boxes by Shala
- Free Printable Boxes by Shala
- Packaging Templates
- Different box designs.
- » Packaging vettoriale gratis » Idee Montabili
- Vector based package designs. Site is in Italian but it's pretty self explanatory/
- Craft Leftovers » Boxing Up Giving
- These boxes are great to add a little extra something special to any small gift. I like them for any kind of jewelty, stitch markers, and other small handmade goodies for friends.
Pretty Gifts Bags and Boxes on Etsy
Sellers with great containers for your products.
- Etsy :: gamiworks :: gamiworks ~ International and Wholesale Orders Welcome!
- Chiyogami Gift Tins
- Etsy :: lisasshop :: Lisa's Shop
- Cute bags, boxes, envelopes, etc.
- Etsy :: tweedylane :: Tweedy Lane Designs
- Pouches
- Etsy :: boxbliss :: Custom Designed & Sized Packaging for Products & Favors
- Custom Designed & Sized Packaging for Products & Favors
- Etsy :: paperpanache1 :: PAPER PANACHE
- Cello Bags - cellophane candy bags
- Etsy :: CobwebSupplies :: CobwebSupplies
- Organza bags, vinyl bags, bottles and boxes.
Custom Bubble Mailers
Bubble mailers are those cute little padded envelopes that are great for sending small items. They also work great as protective packaging for your small items sold at shows and festivals. 27 Things has a great tutorial for making your own cute custom bubble mailers out of colorful art paper.
Make Your Own Bubble Mailer Tutorial
Alternately you could cover pre-made mailers with wrapping paper, add a custom sticker, or rubberstamp of your logo to one.
Photos of Handmade Bubble Mailers
custom order: handmade bubble mailers, 20 pieces
set of 1 ~6x9" and 2 ~4x6" handmade bubble mailers
6"x9" handmade bubble mailers
Crafty Goodness
I made this bubble mailer using instructions from
Bubble mailers made with a vintage children's dictionary. This is the front and ...
Handmade bubble mailer.
Are we there yet? The pile grows.
Set of 3 handmade bubble mailers.
Set of 2 handmade bubble mailers.
Bubble mailers made with a vintage children's dictionary. This is the back and t...
Bubble Mailers to Decorate
100 #2 8.5x12 KRAFT BUBBLE MAILERS PADDED ENVELOPES #2
Amazon Price: $19.75 (as of 10/07/2008)
50 #0 6x10 KRAFT BUBBLE MAILERS PADDED ENVELOPES 6 x 10
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
100 #1 7.25x12 KRAFT BUBBLE MAILERS PADDED ENVELOPES #1
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
Other Easy Ideas
Instruction or care sheets. Make these colorful as well as useful.Custom rubber stamps.Use embossing powder to give your stamps some added impact.Custom stickers (you can buy sticker paper for printing them at home).Business cards. Include one or two with each purchase.For jewelry makers make custom earring and pin display cards.Ribbons are always an easy touch.
Packaging Resources and Inspiration
- TheDieline.com: The Leading Package Design Blog
- The Ultimate Package Design Blog! TheDieline.com defines good graphic design and product packaging in consumer products in industries such as food and drink, bath and beauty, alcohol, and more. Well designed packaging establishes consumers' perception of the brand and the product. We showcase the be
- Packaging Digest
- The online packaging resource for delivering packaging solutions to packaging professionals
- DZINE - PACKAGING DESIGN
- Smitten by packaging design
- COLOURlovers :: Color Trends + Palettes
- Find design inspiration with thousands of palettes and color schemes to fall in love with. Influence color trends by rating, commenting and sharing.
- 70 Amazing Business Cards - Fubiz
- Business card inspiration.
- Beautiful and Expressive Packaging Design | Monday Inspiration | Smashing Magazine
- Packaging design has the primary goal to attract customers' attention. For this purpose, package designs can not simply inform customers, but also provoke feelings and communicate emotions. An effective packaging looks attractive, impresses with its
- 10 Innovative Packaging Ideas - 9/8/2008 - Packaging Digest
- Is your product getting ignored? Here are some great ideas on how to make your packaging stand out, get more attention, and sell better.
- Seasonal Creative Label Packaging Ideas
- Graphics.com: The shared resource for creative design. The shared resource for creative design.
Packaging as Branding
Your packaging can be a great way to help brand your business.-
Branding Your Handmade Products
-
Learn about building a brand as an indie artist or designer. Branding helps create an image for you and your business. It helps generate repeat business and word of mouth which is so important for small business.
Examples of Creative Packaging on Flickr
For added inspiration
I gave to this package my love, all of them are handmaded , i hope my swap pal w...
This is one of my most popular box styles, it's my flower box. Great for packagi...
Custom, handmade AW177 buttons, based on my blue and pink "Butterfly De...
This box went with a Narwhal Necklace. So cute!
This is an Oriental Fortune Bag :) that protect the necklace and a fortune note ...
handmade packaging
RECYCLE THOSE CATALOGS! This is how I'm wrapping my handmade gifts this year! D...
i don't have any real packaging exept for jewelry bags, and pink paper. but i ha...
all etsy and mintd orders will receive free gift-ready packaging... white jewelr...
handmade packaging
A Vancouver shop has just ordered some jewelry from me for their grand opening i...
lilac-lime scented soap
Pod packaging.
Aqua is my new packaging, beet is the old. I got such a deal on satin at the fab...
My new name card and packaging design.
I just created this new package. I used kraft paper and tissue paper to wrap up ...
Packaging for hand painted necklaces and three packs of old mini-comics and butt...
What Not to Do
Inconsistent. Keep things looking consistent, I don't mean everything has to be the same, but the style and theme of your packaging should all have a similar feel.Inappropriate. This should be easy, make the product and packaging match. If it's retro styled give the packaging a retro look. If it's Victorian don't put it in a tied-dyed box.Unproffessional. If you're here I'm sure your not planning to just slap something together quickly. Make sure glued items don't have edges sticking up, corners aren't ripped off tags, all text is correct and spellchecked.
Presentation at Art and Craft Festivals
Festivals and shows are a great opportunity to put your packaging ideas to the test. Don't hide all your packaging away in a box behind the checkout area. Put out a little display to show your customers exactly what they'll gets when they purchase one of your products. Getting Started with Festivals and Shows
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Preparing for an Art or Craft Festival
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Art and craft festivals are a lot of work but worth it for the exposure you get and the great people you meet. Here is a guide to preparing for a show and having a great time. Oh yeah, and did I mention selling your creations?
Handmade Business Books
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Leave your comments or questions here.
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garywgoldstein
In marketing, we have a budget for packaging. It is important how your product looks. Great lens! Posted September 23, 2008 |
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seedplanter
I'm going to share your lens with a friend who sews toddler outfits at Etsy. She'll love it. Five *****'s & a fave! Posted September 09, 2008 |
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MomwithAHook
Fabulous tips. Sweet packaging too. Posted September 05, 2008 |
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vbright105
Great lens. I am still learning the HTML for all of this! I enjoyed the information here too. Very well done! Posted September 03, 2008 |
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jeffwend
Beautifuly displayed lens, now it's great that you are so artistic both with your web design along with your home made products. 5* and blessings Posted August 25, 2008 |
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Squidoo is a great, easy way for anyone selling handmade items to promote their creations. Display your knitting, painting, sculpting, jewelry making, etc. and generate more visits (and hopefully sales) on your website or webstore.
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Preparing for an Art or Craft Festival
-
Art and craft festivals are a lot of work but worth it for the exposure you get and the great people you meet. Here is a guide to preparing for a show and having a great time. Oh yeah, and did I mention selling your creations?
-
How To Make Your Own Business Cards
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This lens is all about doing it yourself with business cards. Designing them and printing them, coming up with a card that is uniquely you. Even in this digital age the business card is still important. They can be left just about anywhere, tucked i...
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Branding Your Handmade Products
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Learn about building a brand as an indie artist or designer. Branding helps create an image for you and your business. It helps generate repeat business and word of mouth which is so important for small business.
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Running a Handmade Business
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So you're an artist, designer, or craftsperson and want to take your first steps into making money from your talent and skills? This lens is full of advice for anyone starting a handmade business.
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