Packaging: The Handmade Touch

What Set's You Apart?

Hi all.

Let me ask you something. When you receive a gift ( no matter how small), and the giver of said gift has taken the time to package it special in some way, does it mean more?

Does it make it more memorable?

If you're small business owner, do you think how you package your products (or services) makes a difference?

Do you think of your packaging as part of your branding?

Consider this.

Several weeks ago I ordered a sweet little pin set I'd been coveting from Marieken's shop, always wear your invisible crown. A sailor man, an anchor and a mustache, as well as Frida Kahlo. 

Well, lo and behold it arrived from the Netherlands and it was all I wanted and more.  Marieken took care to make her product (and my little gift to myself) even more special by packaging it all in a thoughtful way, with lots of touches that added up to big impact.

It was like receiving my gift to myself and lots of extra gifts on top of it.

It came wrapped in sailor man paper and included: my brooches packaged in small glassine envelopes, two Dutch magazine clippings, some bakers twine and washi tape touches, pretty Dutch stamps on the outside of the package, a card that speaks my language (cheese), and a lovely little handwritten note.

The sweetness abounds.

So, wonder...as I work on tweaking and finalizing my re-branding for myself, work on branding for my clients, package prints to send to customers........is my packing saying all I want it to? Am I making the most of these opportunities to make a good impression? To add extra impact? And are you?


I hope you're having a fabulous Tuesday, the oft-forgotten day. The day that comes after the dreaded Monday. Before the half-way to the weekend Wednesday and the all important we're nearly there Thursday. Followed closely by Thank God it's Friday and of course the 'everybody's working for the weekend'. Tuesday can get overlooked.

I'll take my Tuesday with awesome sauce today, please.

Ciao for now,

PS- I could start a fire today it's so damn chilly and probably will by the end of the day. What is with that?

What Inspires You Wednesday: Play Along

The Long & The Short of It

The long.

The short.

Want to take a guess?

Go on. I'll wait while you ponder.

Well, you see, it goes like this.  I got up this morning and the first thing I said to G was, "More gray skies. Damn. I'm sick of them. I can take Winter, but I could use a few blue sky days in a row to make these frigid days more bearable."

Ah Winter. It can be quite long, when the days are short and when you add to it the fact, that the weather gives you nothing-but-gray during what is supposed to be daylight hours, it can be kind of a bummer.  But sometimes, good things come to those who wait......an hour a two.

Just look-ee what we have here:

A much happier color.

 Topped with a good dose of sunshine.

Well, it makes a girl downright happy.

I feel much more inspired when the sky isn't covered in gun-metal gray. What say you? Does the weather affect your mood and what you can accomplish? A sky like this makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. Sky's the limit so to speak.

I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.

I'm also inspired by the comments on yesterday's post about packaging. I love hearing what everyone is doing to make themselves stand out to their customers, and add that special touch.  If you haven't joined the conversation yet, it isn't complete without your input. I mean that. I think we each have so much to share, that we forget it might actually inspire others.  Hearing your takes on packaging makes me consider how I can improve my own.  I love that awesome exchange that happens in blogging.

So you have two assignments today. Tell us all what is inspiring you today under this post, AND stop by yesterday's post on packaging and share how you package your product and if you think packaging can make a difference in how people perceive your brand.

Make it a great day. It's up to you.

Me? I'm a girl with a mission. Infused with a little sunshine and blue skies I'm ready to hit the ground running..........I mean, designing. Live to Create, Create to Live!

Ciao for now,

Let's Talk Packaging

It's In The Details

As a marketing professional, I fully understand the impact that the right packaging can have.  Whether you sell a product or a service (yes, even services can be 'packaged' to increase impact), the manner in which it is delivered can help you stand out and make a lasting impression.

It doesn't have to be fancy. It doesn't have to cost a lot. In fact, it can be quite simple.

If you put the right components together, something can be quite memorable without a huge amount of work or expense, and can even be DIY- simple paper, made special with a stamp like the above from bobo chooses.

You might consider using labels instead of a stamp to add a personal touch to what you deliver to your customers (though this was featured on 100 layer cake as part of a wedding favors, I believe).

 

Bellybands are another way to customize your packaging. I use them when I package my stationery and they're something simple enough like the labels, that you can print and cut them yourself.  I love the simplicity and unexpected use by on baked goods {via the ginger scone diaries} making them an extra special treat.

I had prints to ship today.  There is LOVE flying out of the studio and now on its way to customers.  I use plain white card stock for extra support of my archival prints, a plastic sleeve to protect the print, good old paper clips to hold everything in place during shipping and a pop of color thanks to washi tape.

I also attach a Bates Mercantile Co. notecard to the front, with a handwritten note of thanks inside.

To finish it all off, I draw flowers on the outside of the brown kraft rigid envelopes I use for shipping, just for one last personal touch.

I've received a good few notes back from customers saying they loved the packaging and that's exactly the response you should be looking for too.

I have ordered things from other etsy shop owners, and for the most part, there is usually something in the packaging that makes it stand out. The few times I've received something without, that has also made an impression on me, and I doubt it's the one shop owners are really wanting to put out to the world.

So, the next time you have to package something for a customer or even a gift, remember that sometimes it's the little touches that make all the difference.


Did you notice what was being shipped out today? It's all about LOVE. Valentine's Day must be in the air!

Do you ship items to customers and if you do, is your packaging making the impression you want? What things do you incorporate in your packaging to stand out?

As I said, even if you have a service, you can still 'package what you do for clients' in a way that adds extra value.  When I send branding designs to clients, I don't just send a file with the design. I send it as part of a branding board which can include colors, patterns, and fonts as well as how their logo incorporated into collateral samples like business cards.  This has made a huge difference for myself and my clients because it helps illustrate what I envision for their brand and how it will work for them.

If you're not packaging things in a way that makes it a little more special, how can you change that?

Want more inspiration? Follow my packaging board on pinterest, it runs the full gamut from easy and handmade, to professionally designed.  Tons to draw from as you consider your own packaging.

**If there are some images that aren't centered, I apologize. Funky stuff going on in blogger today. Sometimes you just have to throw your hands up in the air and go with it.

Lots of design work today. I may be juggling, but I'm still focused on simplicity and one task at a time. Hhhmmmm, where I'd hear that before?

Have a fantastic day!

Ciao for now,