What your customers want from their shopping experience 

Your customers are your business. Without them, even the most fantastic, life-changing product will get no sales.
 
And if you aren’t delivering what people want, you’re basically going out of business… be it quickly or slowly.
 
That’s why smart owners spend a lot of time pondering, testing, and asking what their customers want.
 
So what do *your* customers want? And how are you going to give it to them?
 
There’s a bunch of ways to answer this. One way is to focus on giving them the product they want. 
 
The other part is about their experience of getting (and using) that product. It’s the product discovery, the ordering, the shipping, and all the customer service interactions in between. It’s the second part – the customer experience part - that I’m going to focus on here.

## The customer experience

As many of you know, this “customer experience” aspect of your product is becoming more and more important. To some shoppers, it’s basically part of the product. Their customer experience part will determine whether they ever order again.
 
Recent [research from Marketing Sherpa](https://www.marketingsherpa.com/article/chart/purchase-experience-customer-satisfaction) makes this clear:

![1- Marketing Sherpa Customer Experience](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c219a4971d9d0e83242f16588216a54dd6e30bb7)

So how can you give your customers want they want in terms of customer experience? Well, there’s been some research done on that. We’ve rounded it up for you, and listed it here in order of importance. If you can apply even a few of these ten suggestions, you should see higher conversion rates, larger order sizes, and better customer loyalty.

## 1. Offer free shipping
 
What’s the most powerful word in the English language? Depending on who you ask, it could be “you” or “because”… or “free”. “Free” is especially powerful for ecommerce for obvious reasons. The trouble is where to use it.
 
Ends up, using it with shipping is crazy effective. That’s because almost all of us hate to pay for shipping. In a survey of over 2,000 U.S. consumers, “provide free shipping” came in at the top of the list for ways retailers can improve the customer experience. It beat out the runner-up by 21%.

![2 - Mrketing Sherpa research of shopping experience](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/81459baeee8ce6e9205610187f513fc09f55cc40)

So offering free shipping could get more sales. But… there’s a reason retailers charge for shipping. It’s expensive (duh). You can’t just eat that cost.
 
You could:
 
* Add the average cost of shipping to every item.
* Figure out a minimum order size that you’re willing to cover the shipping for.
 
Most retailers opt for the second choice. That’s probably the best one for you, too. 91% of [online shoppers say they’re willing to spend more just to qualify for a free shipping offer](http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/infographic-what-consumers-want-most-online-shopping-experience-174564).

## 2. Include customer reviews
 
Everyone hates purchase mistakes. You know – when you buy something you end up not liking very much. It’s called “buyer’s remorse” if you’re on the marketing side. If you’re on the customer side, it’s just a bummer.
 
One of the most trusted ways for customers to know they’re ordering something good is for them to read reviews. They may not even read all the reviews – just seeing that an item has over a dozen five-star reviews is usually enough to build trust.
 
The power of reviews has even been quantified. According to [research from Bazaar Voice](http://media2.bazaarvoice.com/documents/Bazaarvoice_Conversation_Index_Volume8.pdf), just one review is enough to increase sales by 10%. And the more, the merrier.

![3- More Reviews Means More Orders](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a675d9797e1199ec90727846d9db1b90c8af25aa)
 
No wonder sites like Etsy make it so easy to leave a review… and keep asking shoppers to leave a review… and make each seller’s reviews so prominent on product pages.

![4- Etsy Reviews on product page](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/1e03f7ad8d4b5eacac91cc8ee32d21ee77d9873e)

## 3. Give them packaging that’s easy to open
 
It’s not just you. And it’s not because you’re getting old. Some packaging is just difficult to open. 55% of the consumers surveyed for a recent [packaging study](http://www.shorr.com/sites/default/files/whitepaper-ecommerce-packaging-preferences-survey-custom-shorr.pdf) said so. They also said that difficult packaging is the most irritating and annoying thing about ecommerce packaging.

![5- Packaging frustration research](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9e3214573546b5847064f19600a081e64c979db8)

## 4. Make sure your site loads fast
 
People like to get their orders shipped to them fast. They like placing their orders fast, too. In fact, they just generally like fast when it comes to being online.
 
So what’s “fast”? A page that loads in two seconds or less. Any more than that, and you’ll start losing customers and orders. The slower your site gets, the higher the page abandonment rate for your site will go, as this [data from Kissmetrics](https://blog.kissmetrics.com/loading-time/) shows:
 
![6 - Page Load Time Chart from Kissmetrics](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3ca42d62dd1dbca80759e2c3d74f0006d40af5d8)

Site speed can have huge effects on your earnings. As Ari Weil, vice president of Yottaa, explains on [CIO.com](http://www.cio.com/article/2914780/e-commerce/12-ways-to-improve-the-customer-experience-for-online-shoppers.html), “Amazon, for example, has shown that every 100 milliseconds of latency cost them 1 percent in sales, while Walmart reports conversion rates rise 2 percent for every second of reduced load time.”
 
All you folks on ecommerce platform sites like Etsy and eBay and Amazon don’t have to worry about this, of course. It’s one of the best benefits of sticking with a platform.
 
## 5. Don’t hide your shipping costs or any other unexpected fees

Trust is a really big deal online. It can make or break an order. Adding a surprise shipping fee (even if it’s a legitimate shipping fee) damages any trust you might have built up. It raises a red flag with your buyer. And according to one [study from Visual Website Optimizer](http://resource.vwo.com/ecommerce-survey-2014), it’s the #1 reason why people abandon shopping carts.

![7 - Chart of cart abandonment reasons](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/cf1b0f98524b8564e63471e0fa894a5d5ba13d08)

Here’s an example of an unexpected shipping fee. It’s a $9 extra charge for insurance, and it was enough to make me decide to buy from a different site.

![8 - Image of Surprise Fees at checkout](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3913f0bc22eeb7854fb57a375da960eb988591ce)

## 6. Don’t force them to register when they check out
 
Let’s be honest: Online ordering can be a bit of a pain. There’s all these options (shipping, fast shipping, gift wrap, gift message?). And then all those form fields (Name, address, zip code, email… email again).
 
You finally get through the whole exercise… and then the retailer wants you to register, too?
 
Grrr!
 
I know I’m not alone on this. And here’s proof: The second [most common reason people bail on their shopping carts is because they’ve been forced to register](http://baymard.com/lists/cart-abandonment-rate).

![9 - Chart of cart abandonment reasons](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/55c3215a00c59237fd2471aa9766a210b886e9d6)

So be nice. Don’t make people register. Let them check out as a guest.
 
## 7. Give them custom packaging
 
We’ve written about how much packaging influences a customer’s experience (link to that page). But it can increase their loyalty to your online shop, too.
 
30% of the consumers in a recent survey said they are more likely to order again if their package came in a custom-printed box. Big spenders are particularly influenced by this: The more someone spends on online shopping per month, the more likely they are to be influenced by the box.

![10 - Custom Packaging Increases Loyalty](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ad00e2a4deb47fcd4e39a40ad0feb76e540a819b)

## 8. Let them get their orders shipped fast
 
Want proof of how impatient we’ve all become? Here: [90%](http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/infographic-what-consumers-want-most-online-shopping-experience-174564) of consumers will choose a delivery option that ensures their order arrives within seven days. Even if they have to pay for the upgrade.
 
Amazon’s Prime shipping has spoiled most of us. (Sticker Mule offers free 2-day shipping on orders in the U.S.)

## 9. Put their needs ahead of your own business goals
 
We mentioned trust earlier, and how it can make or break a sale (and over time, your business). This is another perspective on that. It highlights how critical it is to do more than just say you care about your customers. You have to demonstrate it.

![11 - Marketing Sherpa: Put Customers Needs First](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/f56016a6418aa42b6e02705ffc2c47b132b717ce)

There’s no one tactic that will cover you on this one. You’ll need to prove it at every step through the purchasing process and beyond.
 
## 10. Help them make the best decision (for them, not you)
 
This is similar to the last point, but it shows how customers expect help with their buying decisions. And not just any help. Useful help. Unbiased help. Help that puts their needs first.

![12 - Marketing Sherpa: Help Customer Make Decisions](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/026df2f4ab8614893aca789a579dc062d46beaf7)

If you’ve heard of content marketing (attracting an audience through useful content), you may have heard that for it to work, the content has to avoid selling. If the publisher (aka, the company) is too focused on their products, or too salesy in their approach, their content marketing fails. These last two points back that belief up well.

Same thing applies to shopping ads on Google. [KlientBoost](http://klientboost.com/) has come up with something called [The Gold Pan Technique](https://klientboost.com/ppc/gold-pan-technique/) that helps you narrow in on the products your potential customers are actually searching for.
 
So how can you help people make a decision? All the usual things. Lots of pictures, videos even. Good product descriptions with technical details. Reviews and other types of user generated content. And good customer support. But it all has to be in support of the customer – not your own sales goals.

## Conclusion
 
There’s a new buzzword in marketing that sums up everything we’ve been talking about: customer-first marketing. It is exactly what it sounds like – putting the customer’s needs above your own, at every stage of the customer lifecycle. In every decision you make.
 
Many of the most successful companies in the world have already embraced this idea. If you aren’t able (or willing) to make any of the changes mentioned here, consider just that one question: What more could you be doing to put the customer first?

There are countless ways to delight your customers using stickers and other custom printed products. Check out more ways Sticker Mule can help your business grow.

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We have to deliver what customers want. It’s the whole point of being in business. That's why figuring out what your customers want is so critical. 

10 ways to save on shipping costs 

Did you notice what happened in January? USPS and FedEx raised their costs. So did CanadaPost. 

These weren’t massive price hikes – only about 3-5%. But it may have been enough to cause you to furrow your brow when you tallied up the month’s expenses.

Shipping costs are unavoidable, of course. But there’s every reason to keep them down. So here are 10 ways to save on shoping costs for your online shop, Shopify store, or your brick-and-mortar business.

Apply even a couple of these, and you’ll more than make up for the price increase from January. You might even trim your costs by 20% or more.

## 1. Join a professional organization that offers shipping discounts
There’s safety – and power – in numbers. It’s true in life, and ends up being true in shipping, too.

There are a bunch of professional associations that offer shipping discounts to their members. Here are just a few:

* [The Specialty Food Association](https://www.specialtyfood.com/specialty-food-association/membership/member-services-benefits/shipping-supplies-savings-programs/) gives its members
 * Up to 29%† on select FedEx Express®
 * Up to 20% on select FedEx Ground®
 * Up to 10% on select FedEx Home Delivery®

It costs $300 and up to join.

* [The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors](https://www.naw.org/busservices/shipping.php) offers
 * Up to 36% on UPS Air letters including UPS Next Day Air®†
 * Up to 32% on UPS Air packages (1 lb.+)†
 * Up to 34% on UPS International imports and exports
 * Up to 24% on UPS Ground shipments

† Many local Chambers of Commerce also offering shipping discounts.

## 2. Get a good scale
If you’ve been guessing about the weights of your packages, please stop. And if you’ve been trying to make do with a bathroom scale for the larger packages, it’s time to upgrade. You need to get a precise weight for every package, or you could be overspending.

Which scale you get should depend on what you’re shipping. If your orders tend to be really light (like less than 4 lbs) a regular light-duty postal scale might be fine. But most scales like that will become useless for packages over 4 lbs.

Look at it this way: A good-quality scale for packages of 4 lbs or less will cost you maybe $30. If it saves you even 50 cents a day, it’ll have paid for itself in two months.

## 3. Save time, too – get your packages picked up
Unless you’re a post office nerd, you probably don’t relish running to the post office every day to drop your packages off. So don’t: The US Postal service will pick up First-Class, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, International, or Return Service packages for you. It can kind of be a lifesaver.

[Schedule your USPS package pickups here](https://tools.usps.com/schedule-pickup-steps.htm).

If the pickup area is secure, you don’t even have to be there when the packages get picked up. Just tell USPS where to find the packages when you fill out that form.

Voilà: One less thing to do.

## 4. Print your labels online
Have you been buying your shipping labels at the post office counter, or at one of those self-self kiosks? If so, you’re overspending. It’s cheaper to buy those online, and then just print the labels at home. You’ll save up to 22% on First-Class packages and up to 54% on Priority Mail Express.

## 5. Consider the weight of your shipping materials
Know why so many companies use peanuts to fill boxes? Because they’re really light. Same goes for those air pillows you’ve probably seen in some packages.

But what if you can’t afford those air pillows, or you don’t have a spare closet empty to store shipping peanuts in?

Just scrunch it. Some paper, I mean. Scrunch up newspaper, or any light paper. It’ll fill the packages nicely, is super light, and doesn’t cost so much. It’s a great way to keep kids busy, too (though you may need some fun paper to keep them interested).

Almost any paper will do. Ideally, you want it to be just strong enough to hold its shape, but light enough not to nudge your scale.

Word to the wise: Don’t try to shave grams off your shipping weight by using flimsy shipping boxes. Exterior boxes need to be sturdy enough to make it through an occasionally rough journey through the post office.

One way to conserve costs? The [poly mailer](https://www.stickermule.com/products/poly-mailers). If you’re shipping items that aren’t likely to be damaged by a bump (like clothes), a simple poly mailer could shave a couple of ounces off each package. And you could dress it up (ahem) with some custom printing.

![Yukon Built Custom Poly Mailers for Online Shops](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/cf319a3005f8345277811eb9eb3ba3e06bf8067f)

## 6. Use boxes that fit the item
It may mean you have to buy a couple of different box sizes, but you’ll probably save money in the end anyway. And you won’t be one of those [companies that ships a tiny item in a huge box](https://twitter.com/USAbox/status/575329675754532864).

![Huge box with a tiny item](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/dfb97617391245c1b88be5fc471b2540073cd224)

## 7. Consider skipping shipping insurance
Any package shipped via priority mail is automatically insured for $50. So if your orders aren’t usually worth more than $50, you probably don’t need insurance at all.

For the packages that are worth more than $50, you may want to do some math. (No really – this is math you’ll want to do).

Let’s say your package is worth $100. If it gets lost, you’re out $50. The cost of insuring it for that extra $50 is $2.65.

Not bad, but if you bought insurance for 100 of these orders, it would cost you $265. If you skipped the insurance, you could lose up to five $100 orders and still break even. That’s because you’d be covered for the first $50 of those five $100 orders. And the remaining $50 for the five orders comes to $250.

But are you really going to lose five out of every 100 packages? One out of every 20 packages? Probably not. So maybe you could skip the insurance for $100 packages.

The math would change (of course) for more expensive packages. So maybe you’ll only want to insure packages that are worth $150 or more. It depends how much risk you want to take, how often packages go missing, and how valuable each package is.

## 8. Use a rewards card
We’re not sure if this is cheating, or just a creative way to cut your shipping costs. But there are plenty of “rewards card” credit cards that give cash back with every purchase.

Usually it’s only 1%. But some cards give much more (up to 6%) in certain categories. If you pick the right card and if you’ve got the credit rating to qualify for the card, you could finagle a way to get 6% back on your shipping costs.

Just don’t carry a balance, or the interest rates will rapidly eat up anything you’ve saved.

## 9. Use Stamps.com, Endicia or Etsy’s shipping option.
Some shipping services and sales platforms give generous discounts if you use their shipping features.

For instance, [Stamps.com](http://www.stamps.com/shipping/) gives its users:

* 26% off first-class package service
* Up to 53% off priority mail
* 10% off priority mail express.

Their site also says you can save up to 40% on package insurance “compared to USPS rates”.

Other sellers have gone with [Endicia](http://www.endicia.com/), which is more sophisticated than Stamps.com (and better designed to support larger operations). They also offer serious discounts.

And then there’s Etsy. According to some sources, Etsy’s “create a shipping label” will let you save almost half the cost of what the USPS would charge.

## 10. Shop and negotiate for prices
There’s a thread running through all the tricks we’ve mentioned here: It pays to shop around.

So here’s how to act on that: Open accounts with all the big shippers. Then plug in some numbers and check their prices for the package types and sizes you’re most likely to ship. Usually there are significant differences in price points across the different carriers.

The best choice depends on your business and your packages. And maybe, based on which other deals you can get through the tactics mentioned above. Who knows - maybe all your packages below 2 lbs should go by USPS, while most of the ones over 2 lbs should go UPS… and the international orders should go via FedEx.

Until you do some homework, you’ll never know.

## Extra credit 
Want to really surprise and delight your customers? See if you can ship their package for less than your checkout cart quoted, then refund them the balance. So if they paid $10 to ship their order, but you can get it to them for $7, refund the $3.

Then send an email notifying them of the refund.

Something like this will cost you a bit to set up. And it’ll take some time and skill to manage. But who would ever forget getting a refund for something like that?

Maybe this isn’t something you can do for every order. Maybe only your very best customers will get this kind of treatment, or you’ll only be able to do it for orders over a certain size. But this kind of white-glove treatment will not go unnoticed. It’s this kind of above-and-beyond care that makes customers stick around.

## Conclusion 
As you can see, there’s plenty of ways to cut shipping costs. But don’t get totally focused on the money. Service – for your customers and for you – matters, too. 

At Sticker Mule, we help you wow your customers with custom printed products. Why not try our [poly mailers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/poly-mailers) or [address labels](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/address-labels) today? Get $10 off your first order when you sign up by clicking the button below.

<ButtonCta text="Get $10 credit" href="https://www.stickermule.com/unlock?ref_id=7980330701&ref=blog" />


Shipping costs are unavoidable, but that’s every reason to keep them low. Here are 10 ways save on shipping costs for your business. 

How to create package inserts that work

So you’ve got your next order nearly all packed up. You’ve checked the packing list. You’ve made sure the order won’t get damaged on its way… and now you’re about to seal up the box.

Wait!

Where’s the package insert?

## What is a package insert?

A package insert gives you the opportunity to earn more sales, nab a new customer or even clear some old inventory. All it takes is a simple slip of paper.
Package inserts don’t have to be anything more than a note. Many Etsy sellers send a simple, handwritten thank you note with every order. Or a printed business card with a coupon code. Like this:

![Thank You Insert 10percent off](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/736322e69ec43288ce7cec5d8d51329e8408a07f)

(Speaking of coupons, you can get [$10 off your order](https://www.stickermule.com/unlock?ref_id=7980330701&ref=blog) today at Sticker Mule!)

But that’s just the beginning of what you could do.

I know - you’ve got enough to do already. You just want to get this package out the door. Is messing around with a package insert going to be worth it?

In a word: Yes.

 ## Why you should create customized package inserts 

Still not convinced that you should be part of your regular packaging and shipping routine? 

### Package inserts get noticed

We’ve written about how special the unboxing moment is for shoppers. Including a package insert in the box means your message is part of that magic moment. Package inserts – especially nice ones – get read. Maybe it’s because they remind us of the gift cards that come along with presents.

### It costs little to nothing to deliver the package insert

You’re already shipping the box. It’s unlikely that the few extra grams of weight from the package insert are going to cost you any more.

### Package inserts can be made for pennies each

If you’re a micro-business, you could just handwrite your package inserts. Use nice stationery paper or any interesting craft paper.

### Package inserts can be customized

Personalization is one of the biggest trends in ecommerce right now. Witness how many Etsy stores offer personalized goods. Package inserts are a fantastic way to personalize a message, or to send an offer targeted to a particular customer group.

### Package inserts convert 

The average conversion rate for package insert marketing programs is .35%. It can range from .15 to 1%, but .35% is average. And that’s for acquisition – for inserts sent to someone who doesn’t know your company. If package inserts work that well for acquiring customers, they could get double that conversion rate (or better) from your existing customers.

How well your package inserts convert depends on a lot of things, of course. But one of the best ways to draw attention to them is to make them interesting in the first place.

## What do package inserts include?

Spending the time to create a handwritten note is great. But if your business is too busy to write a note for every order, consider printing.

You can have inserts printed as if they were business cards or as if they were postcards. Both formats are affordable – like $20 (including shipping) for 500 business cards. Or $30 for 500 postcards.

Want to stand out a little more? Use a format that might get used again. Like a bookmark. Nice quality bookmarks might cost a little more to make (or take a little more time to make) but if they’re nice, they’re likely to get saved and used. That means more “impressions” for your insert. Adding a nice quote to the bookmark, and toning your branding down can help, too.

Another option is a gift tag. You can buy nice [custom-made gift tags on Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/listing/242304833/printable-thank-you-tags-customer-gift). Or you could make your own. Or you could just punch a hole in the corner of a business card. Voila – your business card has become a gift tag.

![Thank you for your order](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c1b0d5511190d762a16bb8ed5530d25a0f1cd02b)

Do you want to create your own business card sticker? [Check it out here >](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/business-card-stickers)

You can still personalize printed inserts, of course. Consider leaving the salutation empty on the printed versions. Then just write in each customer’s name before you drop the insert into the box. Got even three seconds more time for that insert? Sign your name to the card.

### Use more than one package insert

Sometimes it’s nice to vary the package inserts, too. You could even A/B split test your package inserts to see which offers tend to do best. Or you might want to include a specific package insert for large orders, for instance. Or a different package insert for first-time orders.

If you have a standard package insert, and only use an alternative insert once in a while, consider getting the standard one printed. Then handwrite the one you use less often.

Or print your own inserts at home. There’s plenty of stylish paper that would stand out and can work in a standard printer. Just avoid most handmade papers with home printers… they can really mess up the insides of your printer.

Of course, you could also [customize your package inserts with stamps or stickers](http://www.onsuttonplace.com/etsy-what-ive-learned-and-tips-for-success/), too. There’s more than one way to get a message inside a box!

![custom-packaging-sutton-place-designs](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/157734d46ad5f5e93dae62995f661d69b6b7536b)

So now you’ve got ideas for possible formats for your package inserts. So now, what should yours say? You could…

### Offer free shipping on their next order

Free shipping is one of the all-time best offers. It might not feel like the most creative option, but it’s proven to work.  

### Offer a discount on their next order

Either percent off or dollars off.

### Ask for the customer to leave feedback about their order

Research has shown that the more reviews a product has, the faster it sells. So getting people to leave feedback can be a great way to increase sales.

### Offer a list of special sales items

Got some inventory you want to move, but don’t have enough of it to offer it to everyone? Make up a couple of flyers and put them in the boxes of people who bought related items. This gives them a special deal and lets you free up some space.

### Offer a discount they can share with a friend

Make it just one friend, and give your existing customer a benefit, too. Like “Know someone who would like [Your Online Shop]? Here’s a coupon for them to get 20% off their first order. When they use it, we’ll send you a coupon for 10% off your next order, too.”

### Offer samples 
We’ve written about product samples in the past. These are technically package inserts, so you might want to consider adding a few samples, too.

Or just give them an interesting little gift. This Etsy store has a printed business card to use as a thank you note. On its own, it’s nice… but not noteworthy. But when they add the cute little [customized paperclip with a rose](https://www.etsy.com/listing/260951692/flower-planner-clip-planner-paper-clip)? Then they’ve given the customer a gift.

[![customized-paperclip](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/664dbbfc777f8fecc8b635c5e5911da55ded1567)](https://www.etsy.com/listing/260951692/flower-planner-clip-planner-paper-clip)

Gifts like this are even better if they’re associated with your business. If this seller created faux fabric flowers, then this little paper clip gift would have added meaning.

### Ask them to share about their purchase on social media

This type of user-generated content is great for business. If you ask nicely, you can use these social shares in your marketing, too. 

For instance, you can re-share any posts from customers. Or you can add a little “as seen on social media” section to your website or your email updates.

At [Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/), we include an insert in every purchase that is signed by the staff member that worked on the order. On the other side we ask if they'll share a photo or video on Instagram and mention [@stickermule](https://www.instagram.com/stickermule/). We see hundreds of photos and videos every week and often repost them on our Instagram feed.

![Sticker Mule Cheers Insert Card](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/e6f6fc043df88facdc702fa92e536107557d2078)

Look at samples and try to [create your own *Thank You* stickers here >](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/thank-you-stickers)

## How to create customized package inserts

Catalog companies have been using package inserts for decades. They’re one of the oldest and most effective marketing tactics around. That’s why these retailers use their own package inserts… but also why there are package insert swap programs, too.

Yep – you can pay to have your package insert put into another company’s packages. Usually this sort of swap only happens with big companies, so the swaps are bought by the thousands. 

But you could possibly set up a smaller swap, too.

You’d need to find a company that is complementary to yours, but not a competitor. They could be larger or smaller than you. If you were on a tight marketing budget, you could just swap inserts if the company ships about as many packages as you.

Or if you had a little budget, you could pay about $20 to $30 per thousand to get your packages inserted into another company’s boxes.

If you can work out a deal with even a couple of complementary companies, your package insert program could become a reliable way to find new customers, too.

One thing to remember as you test this new marketing channel: Track how often the customers you get through package inserts re-order. In other words, track what the lifetime value of your customers is, based on the different marketing channels you get them through.

Who knows… maybe your package insert customers tend to order six times each, making their lifetime value well over $200. If they re-order that much, you might be able to afford $37.14 to get them in the first place.

Also track each package insert partner separately. Some sellers may end up being better partners for you than others.

Package inserts are an easy way to increase loyalty and attract new customers. They work even for small online crafters and shops because they’re so affordable. All you need is a few seconds and a pen and paper.

## Create your own personalized package inserts

Are you including a package insert or a thank you note with your orders? If you are, what does it say? Is there a particular offer that seems to work best?

Want to get started making your own package inserts? Why not start with some custom stickers or labels? Get $10 off your first order when you sign up by clicking the button below.

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Package inserts get noticed, convert, and can be customized. Learn how to use inserts in your orders & packaging. 

How to make your shipping experience more memorable  

Unboxing has become a core part of customers’ retail experience.
 
There are tens of thousands of unboxing videos on YouTube. There’s probably another hundred thousand unboxing blog posts on niche websites.
 
The moment of opening a shipping box is pure delight. It’s a bit of Christmas any day of the week.
 
Unboxing is such a big deal that I wonder if it isn’t part of what’s driving the super-popular ecommerce business model of subscription boxes.
 
There are hundreds (thousands?) of small online retailers offering subscription boxes – and they are all anchored in the experience of opening a package.
 
But what’s wrong with that? Shouldn’t you want to charm your customers with the experience? Why not make a point of creating a terrific shipping experience?
 
The question is, how?
 
Glad you asked. Here’s how:

## 1. Engage all their senses
 
All you ladies – did you have a jewelry box when you were a girl? You know, the kind that opens with the ballerina rising up, the clinking music playing, with the mirror on the inside of the box. That was an unboxing experience – every time.
 
Sound is certainly one way to make an impression, but you’ve got four other senses, too. We talk about visuals a lot, but what about touch? That’s where the covering of the box comes in, or perhaps the surprise texture of special paper.
 
Don’t forget smell either. Scent is a powerful part of our experience. It makes memories - and sales. That’s why bakery chains pipe the smell of bread cooking through their stores. And why real estate brokers will dab vanilla extract on one light bulb in a house that’s for sale. It ever so slightly evokes the smell of home.
 
Doubt this has an effect on people? Well, consider the smell of Apple’s packaging. Some people have so much of a thing for that particular smell that there’s a candle, “New Mac”, that’s [scented to smell just like a new Apple product](http://thenextweb.com/apple/2016/10/04/mac-candle/). Seriously. The first product run of these candles sold out within hours.

![1 - Engage the senses](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/5319065005a2eed50e9bcdbf825a0de0c579f76d)

You can do this too, of course. Even if you aren’t selling personal care products. A little bit of potpourri could work. Or a touch of essential oil.
 
And what about taste? Well, I can’t recommend edible packaging, but quite a few home crafters add a bit of candy to their shipping boxes. Who doesn’t like candy, right?


## 2. Personalize it
 
It’s one of the most powerful ways to connect with someone – simply say their name. And so if you can include someone’s name on their box (and not just on the shipping label), you’ll have cemented the feeling that the object is theirs.
 
Any company that offers monogramming knows the power of adding a name. But names are just one way to personalize.
 
Adding something to their package that acknowledges a prior order is another way to personalize. Or to send something that’s appropriate for their zip code. For example, an outdoor goods retailer could send moisturizer or sunscreen for a customer in Arizona, and bug spray to someone in Florida. Or an online fishing shop sending a particular lure based on where the customer lives.
 
That level of personalization is going to take some finesse to do, of course, but “the wow factor” is real. A couple of customers might even order again, just to see what you’ll send next.
 
Here’s a simple example of personalization. It’s a package from the [Natural Handcrafted Soap Company](http://www.naturalhandcraftedsoapcompany.com/Artisan-Soap-Men-or-Women-Natural-Gift-Set-Soaps-p/holiday-gift.htm).

![2- Personalize your packaging for success](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ad23ad36a5df31bae1daca15fde00b64afb0c27a)

They offer two versions of their Skin Care Artisan Gift Set – one for men and one for women. The packaging for the two items is different, too.
 
Also notice how the tissue paper doesn’t stay inside the box. That’s deliberate… and unusual. And unusual = memorable.

## 3. Include samples
 
Speaking of sending extra little gifts in the box… samples are a classic way to do that. And they work, too. [Samples have increased sales by as much as 2000%](http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/10/the-psychology-behind-costcos-free-samples/380969/).
 
Not all products work well as samples, of course. You may have to create a sample version of a product – all the way down to buying sample-sized containers, making sample labels… the whole deal. But these can be a terrific way to be memorable. So memorable, in fact, that customers come back to buy the full version.
 
Bonus idea: Include a lift card or package insert that offers a discount on the full-price products the samples represent. That’s [how Birchbox does it](https://misspettigrewreview.com/2016/03/30/march-birchbox-unboxing-spoilers/).

![3- Send samples to increase orders like Birchbox](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/51de0ce102ed6bdaed83dc8343f06fed35a58181)
 
Tackle Warehouse has an interesting twist on the sample idea. If you order $50 or more worth of stuff from them, you get a [Tackle Warehouse](https://youtu.be/h4CmB3vBYy8) sticker. Not an expensive gift, sure, but if you’re into bass fishing, maybe it’s kind of a status symbol.

![4- Include stickers for large orders](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/4bfb48483a6c8628930f8cfdefca5ff0b7d18f16)

## 4. Be creative with your packaging
 
This is one of the best ways to stand out from the start. It may mean investing in your packaging materials, but there are ways to do this both [memorably and affordably](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/5-inexpensive-ways-to-make-your-packages-stand-out).
 
Custom printed boxes are more expensive than standard ones, but they can make a major impression. And when your customers re-use their super-cool boxes, they’ll make an impression again. And again. And again.

![5- Be creative with your packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/58c358eb35f85837e431f8a621d3a04d5f8e2439)

*From HelloSubscription’s September 20, 2016 blog post, “[FabFitFun Fall 2016 Subscription Box Review + $10 Coupon](https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/hello-subscription-6011201/fabfitfun-fall-2016-subscription-box-review-5149577877)".*

Don’t be afraid to re-interpret the box, either. Some crafters use paper bags as their product containers. Other retailers use [tin boxes](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Vintage-style-small-Tin-box-vintage-storage-bin-metal-case-tins-bins-boxes/1876134222.html), like this:

![6 - Reinterpret your box packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/bb0ed7fb302dc284d71494c87fd477c43a533702)

These particular boxes are a little pricey at $3.09 per piece. But you could get plain silver boxes for about a dollar. Slap on a custom printed sticker to make it your own.
 
Don’t like tins? Why not a fruit box? Canvas sack? Basket? You get the idea.
 
Even plain boxes can have their charm. This subscription box from [Wonderful Objects by Wonder and Company](https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/hello-subscription-6011201/wonderful-objects-by-wonder-company-summer-5036617427) is pretty plain… except for some well-placed custom stamps:

![7- Use custom stamps to improve your box packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/063cf25ab5a48f044287530365dc26228eb9de42)

Their whole unboxing and product discovery experience is a great example of storytelling via products. It’s an unusually well pulled-together subscription experience.
 
Right down to the sealed envelope…

![8- sealed envelopes for a premium unboxing experience](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b1366ed7d71d694cc2de460ce06a66a23f461746)

## 5. Don’t make your packaging too hard to open
 
I had a very memorable experience with a Bliss product once, and not in a good way. It happened during unboxing, when I was trying to open one of the products to try it. The package was wrapped in fairly heavy plastic, and it actually cut my hand when I tried to open it. So suddenly I had this nice deep cut (like a paper cut, but from the sharp edge of the plastic). Then the Bliss product got into the cut, and just stung more.
 
I stopped buying from Bliss a while later. It wasn’t specifically because of that experience, but I could still feel the sting on my palm when I decided it was better to just stick to CVS.


## 6. Go beyond basic instructions
 
Got a couple of bestselling products? How about creating a user’s guide for them? This would be beyond the usual one-sheet instructions – it could be an entire cookbook for how to use a particular ingredient you sell. Or a little pocket version of a book of fishing lures, including how and when and where to use them.
 
Here’s how [Thrive Market](http://cleaneatingveggiegirl.com/2015/12/17/how-im-cleaning-up-my-health-and-beauty-routine/) has done it. They put these little how-to books in many of their boxes.

![9- How to books inside of box](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/383588bfb374ca8bc936cd356f27c5d31dce0f6c)

## 7. Get the mechanics of your shipping right
 
We’ve talked a lot about packaging, but there is another critical factor to your store’s shipping experience.
 
It’s information.
 
People want to know the status of their order. That’s [why transactional emails](https://www.experian.com/assets/marketing-services/reports/transactional-email-report.pdf) – the emailed order summaries you’re sending – get higher engagement rates than any other type of email.

![11 - Transactional email convert best](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/1af6a3d2e4147c00fbe188bd48345d791243a70e)

Transactional emails typically get sent to confirm an order has been placed, and then to confirm that it’s shipped. Many customers will also want to know when the package will arrive, and even where it is along the way.
 
You can include a tracking number in an email, of course. But there’s other technology available now that can skip in inbox. For example, Shopify lets their sellers notify customers via Facebook messenger when a package has been shipped or has arrived. And Google’s app lets me know when my packages have been delivered.
 
You don’t have to re-invent the wheel with this stuff, but do make it easy to your customers to know the status of their orders. It’s not a good experience to be wondering where your package is. It’s an even worse one to not be able to find out.

## Conclusion
 
Ecommerce is gaining an edge on brick and mortar retail. It lets us skip the driving and the parking lots, for starters. The prices are often cheaper, and there’s better selection. But where ecommerce has lagged behind is the in-store experience itself. “Retail therapy” as some people call it.
 
A great shipping experience will never be quite the same as walking into Bergdorf Goodman or FAO Schwartz. But with a little finesse, it can definitely be memorable… and in a very good way.

## Back to you
 
What’s the most memorable box you’ve ever opened? Mom’s care package at camp? A subscription box for your favorite hobby? [Tell us about it on Twitter.](https://twitter.com/stickermule "Sticker Mule Twitter account")

There are countless ways to delight your customers and make your shipping experience more memorable with custom printed products. Check out more ways Sticker Mule can help your business grow.

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Unboxing is a core part of your customers’ retail experience. Here are 7 ways to make your store's shipping and unboxing experience more memorable. 

5 inexpensive ways to make your packages stand out

You just got a new order. 

A nice one. All that work – the marketing, the website, the product, the sourcing, the transaction processes – paid off. Everything worked! 

Now that order has to get packaged up and sent to the customer. It’s got to survive the journey and arrive at your customer’s door intact. When they open it, everything has to be perfect. 

The moment of unboxing is so critical to the customer experience that people film this stuff. There’s a whole genre of unboxing videos now. [Even Mark Zuckerberg has done one](http://www.digitaltrends.com/virtual-reality/mark-zuckerberg-unboxes-the-oculus-rift-in-facebook-live-video/).

[![Zuckerberg Unboxing Oculus](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/6c93e85d40c915b3c628cc41850676882bfaf912)](http://www.digitaltrends.com/virtual-reality/mark-zuckerberg-unboxes-the-oculus-rift-in-facebook-live-video/)

*Mark Zuckerberg used an unboxing video to show off the Oculus Rift. Note how many views this video got.*

If someone makes an unboxing video of one of your packages, your product will be the star, of course. But the packaging you ship it in is the stage. 

Don’t underestimate how powerful this is. The packaging you use is part of the customer experience. But it’s even more than that – packaging has become part of the product. It may only catch your customer’s attention for a moment, but it will frame how they see (and talk about) your product forever.

Packaging may not have such a short shelf life, either. Ever saved a nice box to use it again? Good boxes get around. Good shopping bags do, too.

## The research on why packaging matters

There’s some new research out that really shows how powerful – and profitable – good packaging can be.

Here’s the first data point. This is how much packaging affects brand perception:

![Packaging Affects Brand Perception](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/e7913f9edaf9b9eaaaea05af1fe667be0166379c)

Notice how luxury brands are more affected by packaging. It’ll come up again.

And here are the specific ways packaging affects brand perception:

![Specific Ways Packaging Affects Brand Perception](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/0988da78e038efcd1bfd3d57b2b8bee27f0bf2f5)

The increases in “makes the brand seem more upscale” and “gets me more excited about receiving the package” are what’s changed most in the last year. This may suggest a shift in how customers perceive the importance of packaging. 
That importance does seem to be growing – [YouTube reports that viewership of unboxing videos is up 57% since last year](https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/marketing-strategies/video/youtube-insights-stats-data-trends-vol7/).

Know what else packaging affects? Word of mouth – one of the most effective marketing tactics ever. As this study says, “gift-like packaging also encourages word-of-mouth marketing. Half of shoppers (50 percent) say the use of branded or gift-like packaging for online orders makes them more likely to recommend the product to friends, compared to 40 percent in 2015.” 

This is especially interesting. If packaging can affect word of mouth so much, the moment when customers open your packaging might be the best time to ask them to refer your company to a friend. A package insert that someone could give to a friend for a discount on their first order might work. 

But before you bust out the printer, keep in mind that the influence of packaging depends on the product that is being shipped. Not too surprisingly, the packaging for household goods had less of an effect than for luxury goods. 

![Premium Packaging Matters](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ed948cd8d006d98f13d8170f3d8a82c201cdf708)

There’s one last benefit of better packaging: It has a direct affect on your bottom line. Better packaging makes people more likely to order again. 

![Better Packaging Helps Reorders](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/acf2781a07868a992a05e6522436f1979e9281fa)

So it looks like it’s worthwhile to invest in better packaging. Fair enough – but how? And how to do it without breaking your budget? 

Have no fear. Any one of these five tactics can help:

## 1. Inserts

Inserts are a proven tactic for increasing order size, word of mouth, loyalty and more. They don’t have to cost very much, either. 

You could retrofit the design of a business card to become an insert if you wanted. Print a couple hundred of them as a template, then handwrite a custom code or codes as needed. Business cards can be printed for as little as 2 cents each.

Don’t forget postcards, either. They’re big enough to write a note on. 

The handwritten note tactic is becoming quite the trend. Many online retailers say they’ve had success with this.

![Add Inserts to Your Packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3f994304169556810ff182ab0467c324f65aff18)

Personally, [I love the idea](http://www.wix.com/blog/2015/11/14-brilliant-packaging-ideas-for-ecommerce-sellers/), but it seems like a lot of work. I still remember being up until 2am to get a big order out, and the idea of having to hand-write a thank you note/ insert card for each order makes me feel tired even now.

Then again… maybe the note doesn’t have to be very long. [This company](http://www.packagingdigest.com/packaging-design/trends-in-ecommerce-packaging-center-on-design1512) made an impression just by writing the customer’s name inside the box. All that takes is a Sharpie.

![One easy way to make an impression with your packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/cddf73e90e53c3624f402cfd8ef4a151241ed0ee)

A few other ideas for “inserts”:

- Candy: Kinda the retail equivalent of the chocolate mint on a hotel pillow.
- Review request: Because more reviews means more orders. 
- Product samples: These aren’t free, but they can increase sales by a lot. 

Learn more about [how to create package inserts that work](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-create-package-inserts-that-work).

## 2. Printed boxes or mailers

I know – you think you don’t have budget for a custom box. 

But you can cheat... and “print” your own boxes with a custom stamp. A custom stamp with art and text that’s 5 inches long x 5 inches wide costs around $70-$100. That’s not free, but would let you have boxes like this:

![Hand stamped boxes](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b69847aa3047775a3ca1b6712b84da35c1dee151)

<center>*The Etsy shop Heirloom Home and Studio ships with standard cardboard boxes pressed with a custom stamp.*</center>

If a custom stamp won’t work, consider using standard stamps used in a creative way. There are also roller stamps that can be made to look like your package is wrapped with ribbons. Roller stamps can be made with food designs, clothing designs, plant designs… you name it. 

Of course, while stamping is nearly free, it does take time. Ideally, you’d have a spare gang of little kids hanging around who just want to decorate boxes all day. 

![Trunk Club Boxes](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a3c6bb08be80498b367c1eaacffec65d6e018d2c)
*An example of the printed boxes Trunk Club uses for its orders. This is also a clever example of another way to make your packages stand out – use a design that makes the box look like something more than just a box and [ties into a theme](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/online-crafters-save-time-money-with-creative-packaging).*

## 3. Color

Color is one of the best, simplest branding tricks ever. For example – that printed box we just talked about? If your company has a signature color, you could skip the printed box. Just get a box in as close a color to your brand color as possible. 

The color should continue inside the box, too, of course. Your color of tissue wrap. Your color of ribbon. Your color of insert card. Product label. Order form. 

You can also use color in strategic spots, like this:

![Bright colors inside of box](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/05b2910018a6cc3da53fc5e9d8432c6c9b9696a6)

I think you get the idea.  :)

## 4. Unusual materials

It’s tempting to go with fancy ribbons and luxe papers. But simple, lower cost materials often work just as well. It’s the creativity they’re used with that makes them work. 

So don’t get too limited in your materials. Think beyond the packaging shop. I once used cut up raffia in a gift box product. It was a gift box of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, so the raffia was meant to look like straw from the manger. People loved it. And the raffia was definitely not standard packaging materials. 

Here’s a few other examples of distinctive packaging materials that can be had for cheap:

* Aluminum foil (not for exterior packages)
* Wallpaper
* Butcher paper
* Old, discontinued hiking maps
* Twine
* Wool or yarn

Pinterest is a treasure trove of ideas like this. Here’s a cool silver bubble mailer:

![Bubble Mailers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/52d90b1998a17401aff7061d0529cabdcc522216)

Note that Behance logo. Behance is a hub of designers, including packaging designers. You might find your next package designer there. Or you could just shop for inspiration.

[Poly mailers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/poly-mailers) are an easy way to save on shipping and can be done in small batches with custom designs. These work best for apparel, t-shirts and other non-breakable items.

![Full Color Poly Mailers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a5e7a080270c2253f834ffd4d135bbc5b8a4fd51)

I actually used a bubble mailer for a mailing a few years ago. It held a cover letter, a short report, and a clear plastic puzzle. The puzzle had a little metal bead inside that you had to roll around just so to open the puzzle. Inside the puzzle was a little card… and behind the card was the call to action. 

That mailing got a 20% response rate. 

Good packaging works for lots of things. ;)

## 5. Strategic use of stickers

Ok – not to toot our own horn, but we think [stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers) can make almost any package better. [Here’s an example](http://www.underconsideration.com/fpo/archives/2012/01/a-christmas-pack-needs-description.php) of a fairly plain, staid cardboard box that’s instantly hip thanks to its sticker:

![Use stickers to add custom packaging and seal your box](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/330ead9b2b10864b555ca694462c23dd942d0685)

Here’s another [cool packaging sticker](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/packaging-stickers). Very similar to the first, but notice the orange tape. That’s not custom tape, but it further secures the box and adds to the appeal. 

![Use color tape to enhance your store packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/14a2531f485c94b3038384cb4f967f084b5f2f14)

[Custom tape](https://www.stickermule.com/products/packaging-tape) is pretty cool, too. And it's [easy to design](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-design-packaging-tape).

![cover-eco-friendly-packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/381bb5cd39c67367e65415d49cbc6432315a03b4)

## Word to the wise

While all these packaging ideas are fun, consider their durability as much as their looks. It’s not okay for your packages to arrive at your customers' doors trashed. 

So before you fall in love with a box, or any kind of packaging, test it. Buy about ten of the boxes. Mail a complete order to ten people you know. Get detailed reports – photos, ideally – of what the packages look like when they arrive. 

Pay careful attention to your results. These are only ten packages, remember. If you’ve been shipping for awhile, you know it’s that outlier package – the one that got caught in some machinery – that’s when your packaging will be put to the test. 

![Damaged Box Package](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/763c695214ffb5e97aa1023e21510b0078bfb11e)
*About 5-10% of ecommerce packages get damaged during shipping [(depending on which study you cite)](https://www.packworld.com/issues/operational-excellence/article/13366678/ecommerce-packaging-pitfalls-opportunities).

## Conclusion

Packaging is way more than just a fulfillment function. It’s become a core part of the customer experience. It influences word of mouth and improves loyalty. It can even become part of your marketing, like Chewy.com has done with its ongoing #ChewyBoxLove campaign.

![Facebook Packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/4f91142092d07c2e036ca324cadafcb9ef85a8f5)

But while it’s really powerful, great packaging doesn’t have to be expensive. You just need to… um … think outside the box.

Want to make *your* packages stand out? Take $10 off your first order when you sign up using the button below.

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Check out these five simple ways to make your packaging stand out, without breaking your budget. 

How to save time and money with creative packaging 

Most online crafters don’t need to be told what branding is. They know it intuitively. They framed their branding as they developed their products. They put it in writing when they got a logo and a business card. 

But what about a product’s shipping box and packaging? If you’re an online crafter, you probably already get that this is another aspect of branding. It’s not just a fulfillment cost. The packaging you use is the first real life experience your customers have with your brand.
 
What is that experience going to be?
 
You want to make an impression, obviously. But you’re also in business. So while it might be fun to make every package into a work of art, that’s not realistic. Your time and money are limited. 

You need to deliver a package that is:

**Durable**

There’s no worse branding experience than receiving a package that’s been pummeled in the mail.
 
**Attractive**

Our expectations frame our experiences. If your packaging is appealing, your customers will have a pre-set expectation that your products will be appealing, too. This can reduce returns, increase loyalty, and even result in better product reviews.
 
**Memorable**

There's no shortage of competition, even for handmade goods. You want first time customers to remember your products and your packaging enough to buy again.
 
**Efficient**

Time is money. You can’t spend hours preparing each package. I’d guesstimate that any more than ten minutes simply isn’t feasible. Five minutes per package is probably the absolute max.
 
**Affordable**

It might be awesome to wrap your work in gold leaf… but you can’t. So how much is reasonable to spend on each package? 3-7% of your product cost is what most companies aim for, but 10% is not uncommon. And 10% is probably the number that most small-scale crafters should aim to beat. Limited budgets and small operations often mean you can’t buy in bulk. Also, because you’re a crafter, there’s an expectation that your shipping should be more distinctive than if you were shipping, say, batteries.
 
Here’s how those different percentages might break out for a $50 order:
 
* 3% of the product cost would give you a $1.50 packaging budget
* 5% would be $2.50
* 7% would be $3.50
* 10% would be $5.00

Let’s say you decide on 7%. That’s $3.50 of budget to package a $50 order. Impossible? Not at all. You can definitely keep the outside box to $1.50 or so. Judicious use of stickers and a custom stamp can turn a “boring” brown box into something reasonable cool and memorable, but also tough enough to survive even an abusive postal worker.
 
That leaves you $2.00 per package.
 
So what can you do with that? Quite a lot, actually. Take a look at what these three small online crafters have done with their packaging.

## 1. Pick a theme
 
Packages literally tie things together. So do themes.
 
Here’s how [Love Bud Photography](http://www.lovebudphotography.com/index2.php?v=v1#!/HOME) announces its work in the mail. 

![LoveBudPhotography Uses a Party Theme for their Online Store](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/545e44e6ced80f0e99580ea30da4c1cf9af9d243)

The party theme used here is an easy way to invoke celebration – and we want our customers to celebrate when they get their packages, right?
 
But the party theme is also a smart business move. You see, party supplies are easy to find. They’re inexpensive. And they come in hundreds of colors and variations. The hardest part about picking what to use will be to winnow down your options.
 
Just a few things to notice in this box:
 
**1. The package filler.**

Want to know the single best way to keep stuff from getting damaged in a shipping box? Make sure it can’t move around during transit.

That’s why so many people use box filler. And this particular box filler – the crinkled strips of paper – definitely has a party feel to it. It’s known as crinkle paper, and you can get a 10 lb box of it at Staples for $18, retail. With a third of a pound of that in each shipping box, you’d pay about 60 cents per box.
 
**2. The printed card.**

This serves a clever dual purpose. It’s an insert card you can use for loyalty or feedback (ask for an honest review) or another message. But it can also be a thank you card. You can get thank you cards printed up for ten cents or less each. Then write a quick thank you note to customize each package. That personalized touch is exactly the sort of thing people remember and share.
 
**3. The confetti.**

Using confetti in shipping packaging is pretty popular right now. But it makes sense. We all have fun associations with confetti, plus it’s colorful and cheap. It’s an easy way to add splash to a box for barely a dime per package.  

Want another spin on the confetti idea? Here’s how [The Bees Knees](http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2011/3/4/this-is-the-bees-knees.html) ships their honey.

![BeesKnees Uses Creative Packaging to Ship their Honey](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a2d667c715a07e80de5869a6ecfe20e428931d7b)

One quick comment on this, though. That glass jar will need protection during shipping. They might want to borrow some of Love Bud’s crinkled paper. Or use honeycomb packaging to expand upon that theme.

**How much for that party in a box?**
 
With those three things plus the shipping box, and we’re at $2.30 per box ($1.50 for the outside shipping box, plus 80 cents for the filler, the card, and the confetti).
 
That still leaves $1.20 of budget per box left. Enough to buy a bit of candy, like Love Bud has done here. Or to include some other small gift like the heart in a tin.
 
Want another twist on the party theme? How about skipping the crinkled paper and using half-filled balloons instead? They’re the party version of air pillows. You can get packs of 100 balloons for less than $6. You can even get them in a particular color, and nail another branding opportunity.
 
## 2. Use common materials in a creative way

This is the best secret for small shop packaging. If you can use common materials in a new way, you’ll:
 
- Save money
- Be memorable
- Skip lots of sourcing headaches (because you can get your packing supplies just about anywhere)
 
My favorite example of this is…
 
The humble paper bag.
 
Here’s how the handmade craft company [Nestled](http://nestledblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/packaging.html) does theirs:

![KraftBag Nestled Packaging for Etsy Store](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/da2728cbbd14994c18b17a9099c0e72884053a66)

It’s simple, affordable, and appealing.
 
Here’s the cost breakout:
 
-   	The bag: 5 cents
-   	The twine: 5 cents
-   	The die-cut printed label: 20 cents (this is my estimate). 

"Die cut" refers to the shape of this tag. Notice how it’s not a square? That’s why it’s so expensive. But Megan (Nestled’s owner) saved so much money with her other packaging materials that she can splurge a little on the label.
 
Total cost for this? 30 cents!

That leaves enough left over to possibly add another layer of protection for the jewelry inside. Add a sticker and a stamp and you’ve got a custom-printed package. Oops… getting ahead of myself.

## 3. Invest strategically in your printing

Yes – custom printing can be expensive. And yes – your budget is small. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do any custom printing. You just have to do it strategically.
 
One example of this? Custom tape.
 
A lot of cool little craft companies are using custom tape. No surprise, really. You have to use tape anyway to seal the box – might as well make it into a branding statement.
 
There’s two types of tape being used these days: Packaging tape (sometimes known as “Carton sealing tape”) for outside the shipping box and “Kraft” tape, which is suitable for lighter uses.

Rolls typically come in 55 or 100 yards. If you buy about 25 or fewer rolls, you’ll pay roughly $10 per roll. Buy more and the cost per roll goes down.
 
If you use one yard of tape per package, that’s about 10 cents of custom tape per package. Not bad, given how much of a statement it could make.
 
But you could go even cheaper. Here’s plain tape made marvelous with a custom stamp. It’s not suitable for packaging tape, but it would keep interior boxes and envelopes closed. And it makes for a very cool return address label.

![Custom Stamped Masking Tape](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/fdea7890831ae500d8618850bd2ee4b39b6d1d6b)

Custom stamps bring up a ton of other possibilities. They basically make you into your own print shop. Here’s how [one coffee roaster](https://shopventory.com/blog/diy-stamp-projects) packs their coffee:

![Custom Stamped Coffee Bag](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/de09998c759db71bf90e4a626def40b45275ca14)

And there’s another paper bag…
 
[Custom stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers), of course, work great too. They’re similar to stamps, but stickers can seal boxes (like custom tape does), which makes them dual use. And stickers can go on the outside of shipping boxes, too.
 
With all those options, you can save enough to be able to splurge on some custom printing. And it doesn’t always have to be a custom box, either. Custom printed poly mailers (aka “poly bags”) work well, too.

## Conclusion
 
There’s absolutely no reason to give up on having cool packaging. Even if you’re on a shoestring budget.  Especially if you're on a shoestring budget, actually.
 
Just be sure that whatever you use will hold up during shipping. And keep your package prep time to a minimum. That’s one area many handmade companies don’t estimate for properly. For instance, if you earn $20 an hour, and you spend 15 minutes prepping each package, you’ve just put $5 of your time into that package. Those hours add up and can throw off your spend per package… which is why a little custom printing can quickly pay for itself.

## Back to you
 
There are countless ways to delight _your_ customers and grow your brand using stickers and other custom printed products. Check out more ways Sticker Mule can help your business grow.

<ButtonCta text="100+ ways to use Sticker Mule" href="https://www.stickermule.com/uses?ref=blog" />

 The packaging you use is the first real life experience your customers have with your brand. What is that experience going to be? 