How to Package Your Products for Shipping

OpenVendi Blog · May 2026

How you package your products affects three things: whether the item arrives safely, how the buyer feels when they open it, and how much you spend on materials. Getting all three right separates professional sellers from hobbyists. Here is how to do it.

Match Your Packaging to Your Product Type

Not every item needs the same packaging. A rough guide:

• Clothing, fabric, soft goods: Poly mailers are lightweight, waterproof, and cheap. No box required.
• Jewelry and small accessories: Padded envelopes or small rigid boxes with tissue paper inside.
• Ceramics, glass, candles: Rigid box with 2-3 inches of bubble wrap on all sides. Double-box for anything over $50.
• Art prints and flat items: Stiff cardboard mailers or tubes depending on size. Always include a "Do Not Bend" sticker.
• Larger items: New corrugated boxes sized as close to the item as possible to minimize dimensional weight charges.

The Shake Test

Before sealing any package, pick it up and shake it. If you hear or feel movement, add more padding. A packed box should feel solid. Items that shift inside a box during transit are items that break. Fill every void with packing peanuts, kraft paper, or air pillows.

Protect Against Water Damage

Packages get rained on, left on wet doorsteps, and occasionally dropped in puddles. Place your item in a sealed poly bag before boxing it. This costs almost nothing and protects against water damage that your outer packaging might not. For clothing especially, always ship inside a poly bag even if you are using a mailer.

Create an Unboxing Experience

The moment a buyer opens your package is your biggest opportunity to create a lasting impression and earn a five-star review. You do not need to spend a lot — small touches make a big difference:

• Tissue paper: Wrap the item before it goes in the box. Adds a gift-like feel.
• Thank you card: A simple printed or handwritten card goes a long way. Include your shop name and a request for a review.
• Sticker or small freebie: A branded sticker or a small extra item costs pennies and gets remembered.
• Consistent branding: Use the same tissue color, ribbon, or tape across every order so your packaging is recognizable.

Buy Supplies in Bulk

Buying packaging materials in small quantities from retail stores is expensive. Order poly mailers, bubble wrap, tissue paper, boxes, and tape in bulk from Amazon or a packaging supplier. The per-unit cost drops by 50-70% when you buy in volume. Start with your most common package size and stock up.

Label Clearly and Correctly

Print your shipping labels — never handwrite them. Printed labels scan reliably and are legible in any conditions. Place the label on the largest flat surface of the package. Cover it with clear tape to protect it from moisture. Make sure the return address is visible. For fragile items, add a Fragile sticker on at least two sides.

Keep a Packaging Log

Track what you spend on packaging per order. Many sellers discover their packaging costs are eating 5-10% of their margin without realizing it. Once you know your average packaging cost per item, you can factor it into your pricing properly and identify where to cut without sacrificing quality.