Shipping Etiquette for Crafts You Sell Online

Online sellers of original arts and crafts know that while making a sale of their crafted items is a great accomplishment, the work is not over. Then comes the presentation of crafted items, which is the customer's first impression. Little details from pre-packaging to including businesses cards reveal how serious you are about the crafts you sell. Having sold my own craft items online, I have listed tips for professionally packaging items to ship, which results in huge customer satisfaction.

Pre-packaging/Wrapping Item

It is improper etiquette to place one's crafted item in a shipping bag or box without pre-packaging or wrapping it first. The manner of pre-packaging depends on the size of the item. From shipping various-sized items, I have found that the tiny, clear zippered baggies that are used for spare buttons work great for pre-packaging small items such as earrings. A larger crafted item such as a knitted scarf may either be wrapped in tissue paper or placed in a clear bag before it is placed in a shipping bag or box. Especially important, breakable crafted items such as ceramics should be pre-boxed, be surrounded by Styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap, and the word "fragile" should be marked on the outside of the package.

Creating Packaging Slip

Including a packaging slip inside one's package is a must, and is a requirement for shipping packages with UPS. Its purpose it to provide the mailing and return address in case the package is damaged and the outside label becomes unreadable. The packaging slip also includes descriptions, quantities, and prices of the items ordered. When shippers print prepaid labels online with USPS, packaging slips are instantly prepared for them. Shippers may also create their own packaging slips or invoices.

Writing Thank You Note

Since it is an honor for a customer to purchase an item crafted by you, the seller, why not communicate your appreciation with a thank you note? Many sellers thank their customers by email, which has become the norm. Yet, a thank you note handwritten or typed on stationery or a card creates a wonderful lasting impression. Thank you notes are customized to express sincere appreciation for the purchase of your specific crafted item and shares its special qualities. It provides contact information, welcomes questions, and requests feedback. I have personally received great feedback after sending a thank you note.

Including Business Cards and Care/Content Tags

Including business cards is essential to advertising your crafts by describing who you are and what you do with keywords, graphics, and contact information. Customers will not only have you in mind if they want to buy more of your items but may refer you to their family and friends, so it helps to include several business cards. Further, it is helpful for sellers who have crafted wearable items to include care/content tags that can be placed within thank you notes if not attached to the items.

The chief outcome, whether you are a newbie online craft seller or one who has been in business for years, the success of your arts and crafts business thrives on proper presentation of crafted items. Though it seems like a lot of effort, shipping etiquette will pay off in the long run when you have consistently earned a high customer satisfaction rating.