Packaging Evolution

Over the course of several years of wrapping up stationery for my (then) paper shop, the way I packaged my goods evolved. As my product line became more refined, and my cashflow more fluid, I was able to change the packaging to reflect those changes. I wrote about this a while ago over at Handmade Success, and thought it would be a good topic to revisit here on the Nutmeg Collective!

When starting out, I had limited funds for packaging, but I still made sure to keep my brand (logo) a focal point and the packaging clean, well fitted and pretty! I want to really stress "well fitted". Sloppy or ill-fitted packaging says a lot about you, your business and your care; none of them positive.

Initially, I used biodegradable clear bags with the sealing strip attached. Product information was printed on folded cards, included the product name on the front along with my logo, and on the back any further info like my website. I made sure to include the card topper inside the clear bag. This kept it clean (especially good if you're selling wholesale to other shops), helped the packaging look tidy and nothing additional was needed to secure it.

The next stage of my packaging came when I decided to change my logo. I started using biodegradable, one piece, clear boxes. I bought small hang tags from Moo.com and punched the holes myself. I tried to coordinate the ribbon with the image on the cards. The boxes were sealed with small round labels I purchased from the same place I bought the boxes. Sometimes I used twine and sometimes I used satin ribbon. The hang tags had my logo on the front and my website on the back. Clean looking and easy to manage.

The final stage of my packaging transformation was moving to linen-textured, two-piece boxes. This really made a statement. I always had lovely feedback on my packaging, but during this phase my product feedback went through the roof! Customers really appreciate a thoughtful package. I can honestly say, my repeat business also increased after I started using this method.

All the elements for my packaging: Belly bands for the produce, Italian cotton ribbon, hang tags I printed in studio and
a custom wax seal stamp I used on the hangtags occasionally or on the envelope of the handwritten note always included!

Belly bands, with my logo printed on them, kept the cards in place during shipment.

Linen textured box, Italian cotton ribbon and a simple logo hangtag.

Custom wax seal for the envelope of the handwritten note to the buyer.

Regardless of how much you can afford to spend on your product's packaging, you can always find a way to make it look professional. Your clients will appreciate it, and will notice the extra special touches you make to present a thoughtful purchase. A happy client will mean a repeat client!

***

Patti Wunder of Easton Place Design Studio is the designer for this sweet studio. After her kids head to school, Patti creates logos, packaging, sell sheets, web elements and anything else her clients need for their businesses! Her sidekick, Aggie the Goldendoodle, is a great source of inspiration & reminds Patti to go outside a bit each day. Along with designing, Patti makes time for a pot of Irish Breakfast tea (one sugar & splash of cold milk), dark chocolate and music!  Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | eastonplacedesigns@me.com

 

Instagram Tips for Business

Crafthubs

Instagram is a useful tool for building the presence of your business online through visual representation. There are some easy ways to maximize the benefits and expand your audience. The ultimate goal of your actions should be to create a loyal group of followers who will engage in your posts, thus spreading their impact.

8 Tips for increasing your Instagram audience. 

1. Good photos are key to gaining followers. Instagram is a visual site first and foremost. Make your photos interesting and aesthetically pleasing to your audience. Showcase your items in a unique way. Take a work in progress photo (#WIP) when the light hits your workstation just right or a picture of your hand with paint on it. Then include a finished product photo. To give the item one last boost, post the item in use. For example, if the item is a ring show it on someone's hand while holding a cup of coffee. These posts can be spaced over a few hours or a few days but it will invest your followers in the item and its story.

2. Keep a visual tone. When someone looks at your whole profile, do the photos create a cohesive visual story? They do not need to be (and honestly should not be) too product heavy. Adding a mix of content including personal photos that tell a bit about who YOU are connects your followers to you as a maker. There should be a flowing visual story of you, your interests and what you make. Use complimenting filters and styles.

Check out Connecticut native The Confetti Bar. She uses a mix of personal and business related photos that all work wonderfully together. Check out her beautiful account:  theconfettibar

3. Hashtags are how you drive traffic to your fantastic photos. Use a combination of hashtags that include what the item is, what interests surround the item and general Instagram hashtags.

For example:

Item: #Druzy #Necklace #Jewelry

Interests: #Style #Fashion #Handmade #Etsyseller

General: #Instalove #Instadaily #Picoftheday

Natives Republic

To keep your initial description clean include one or two hashtags and then comment on your own photo with the remaining hashtags you would like to use. Shoot for at least 8 - 12 hashtags while you are building an audience.

4. Create a unique hashtag for your business. It would be most effective to be your business name, but if that is taken, find something similar. Use this hashtag on your postings throughout social media to create a history.  Encourage others to use your hashtag by regramming when customers use your hashtag and crediting their account. There are apps that will allow you to easily regram photos - go to your app store and search "regram" or "repost" for an array of free apps.

For example: The Nutmeg Collective uses #nutmegcollective 

5. Tag your photos. If you're picture includes a West Elm rug and a Crate and Barrel vase, tag them in the photo. This will give them a notification and they might regram your photo giving you exposure to their vast audience. Keep in mind when tagging someone that the picture should be appropriate and non-offensive.

 Here you see designer Jennifer Stagg posted a photo to her account
and tagged her sources. She got 377 likes - not too shabby. 

A few hours later, the HomeGoods Instagram account reposted 

her photo because of her tag. The post got 11,267 likes!

6. Engage with others. If someone comments on your photo, comment back using their @ username. When perusing the general Instagram explore feed, like and comment on photos that strike your fancy, even if you are not following the account. Ask light and fun questions in your photo descriptions that warrant an answer from your followers.

7. Add a link to your main profile. Drive followers to your website, blog, giveaway, shop or even a specific listing. The link can be changed at anytime if you want to focus traffic on a specific listing or site temporarily. Etsy does not recognize incoming clicks from Instagram (yet) but if you want to track the traffic coming from your IG page use Bitly or goo.gl and track it through their site. These free sites will provide you with a shortened link that you can include in your profile and track the clicks on the link.

8. Link your accounts. When you post to Instagram you can choose to share the post with other social media platforms as well. These will then link back to your IG post and help increase your audience. If you would like to add your IG feed to your Facebook's about page visit: https://apps.facebook.com/instagram_feed/

Who are some of your favorite maker accounts on Instagram? 

Written by Alonda Baird-Juhasz, owner of Designer Dwellings, who believes in adding color to life. An avid DIYer, sparkle-loving, all things fabulous addict, her shop features bright and fun home decor accessories and gifts. When not in the shop you can find her interior decorating or visual styling events and photo shoots.

Packaging Ideas.

Hi everyone! Patti here, from Easton Place Design Studio. Today's post is all about beautiful packaging ideas. None of them break the bank, but all of them tell your clients they've purchased something special. Let's dive right in...

I love everything about this pulled-together-look! It's clean, simple, understated and classic. Here's something fun... these labels are free printables! Just click HERE to go to the site. She offers many printable labels and tags. Go have a look!

This is such a sweet Up-cycled idea for pretty packaging. And here's a tutorial on how to fold the little bags. As far as the pages... check your local library for when they might be hosting a book sale. Large books can sometimes be just $1-$5. The thing I would add to these photos for business packaging, is a custom logo stamp. They cost $20-$50 depending on size, but well worth it! I'm happy to help you with that if you're interested.

I adore simple, clean packaging. This shop has just that. You don't need much to make a statement! The matte boxes are terrific. Simple square elements and clean lettering make a sophisticated statement without breaking the bank.

The unassuming glassine bag... it's wonderful! You can make it look modern or give it an antique nod. It works well with foods, soaps, fabric goods, paper goods... so many items look pretty in a glassine bag. Your items slightly shine through, but aren't fully visible. Add a single stitch or zig-zag and it's just the added touch you need to complete the look. You don't sew, no worries. A single line of mono-adhesive or washi tape will seal the bags. Please refrain from using staples. They can look messy and can also poke fingers. There are many shops on Etsy that sell glassine bags in sets of 50 or 100. If you don't want to take the plunge of ordering a large quantity, give one of the Etsy shops a try. This shop sells 50 bags for $4.50. It's not a huge investment.

Other bags that work well are cello and parchment. In this example, the seller has done a terrific job of adding a belly band with just their company name and product name. It's both simple and modern.

This is specifically for those displaying and packaging bracelets and necklaces... How simple and cute are these chain holders. You could include these in a square jewelry box to keep your chains from tangling during shipping. I would, again, use a custom logo stamp or sticker to brand each tag. This is also a candidate for mono-adhesive. No staples please!

Lastly, these are some packages I use to offer when I sold stationery. The clear boxes allowed the pretty cards to shine through while the twine and ribbon, along with the simple logo card, gave the package a polished look. The cards were ordered through Moo.com. I highly recommend them. They offer high quality card stock in a variety of sizes. Terrific customer service as well. You can design the cards via their site, or upload your custom image.

For more packaging inspiration, and to see the links for all of the images above, please head to my Packaging Pinterest board. If I can help you with your packaging needs, please contact me.