packaging your art
Aussie patches is a great artist blog with lots of interesting information, art and advice. check out this post where she discusses how to package your art/craft/designs to sell at craft fairs and stores.
First of all why package at all?
1. Professional appearance. I wanted people to focus on my items rather then be put off by the fact there was no packaging. Most people buying products expect to have some sort of packaging for the item - that is the day and age we live in. A consumer society where some things are just in our subconscious and we don’t often think of them.
2. People won’t buy gifts without packaging.
3. Protection of the item. Protection during shipment was very important as well as protection when the items are in stores. Just image how many fingers will touch your works. For me it was important that my mirrors and badges were protected as dirty fingers can really impact negatively on the items.
And some points to consider when packaging (read the full article here)
1. Your packaging should reflect and enhance your work without distracting from it. The items should ‘match’ and remain consistent as a way of reinforcing your brand image.
2. If you sell clothing or plush toys do you want your brand to be recognised with a sewn in label? Do you need to invest in ribbon labels? What about iron on labels, or sewn in labels?
3. Can the buyer see the product without needing a display item? I found that when people were looking at my magnets and mirrors they always wanted to see the back of them, so I needed packaging that could be see through.
[as one commenter said - please be aware of the environment when considering packaging - don't over package and please try and use recyclable or recycled materials in your packaging]
October 26th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
I enjoy making the package nearly as much as making the item!. Actually it could be the way I started making crafts! Since I was very young I have always customized the package for the present and/or the person who`s gonna have it, in fact I never give it with the shop`s packaging. And now that I also make the present itself, imagine!
We could say that the package is the ephimeral crafting, some ours later of doing it`s going to be destroyed, but who cares, it`s a part of the present, you spend time doing it for a person, I think it`s all of this is beautiful!
October 26th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
As a greenie (and that’s not even my primary self-identification), I must admit I’m a little sad/appalled to see the crafters of the world adding packaging/trash… Is that really what consumers want? I’m a realist, too, so maybe. But ouch!