The Best Way to Package Pots for Shipping

The Best Way to Package Pots for Shipping

Over the last 2 years, I've sent more than 100 painted pots to residential homes and retail businesses - all while packaging my pots using this method. Of course, also while testing different packaging methods and shipping services.
This packaging method is tried and true with positive customer feedbacks!
Yes - I've tried the bubble wraps and peanuts, that works too, but I was aiming for eco-friendly packaging. I will save that for another post.


 
Now, to be clearly honest here...


Although this method is the best in my opinion, there are factors to consider. 

  1. Shipping service - no matter which shipping carrier we choose, we don't know if the person handling our package will be gentle or rough with our package. 
  2. Weather - we don't know what the weather is like for where the package is headed to.
  3. Holiday season - this time of the year is the busiest and craziest time of the year. Packages may be delayed or lost in transit.
These are simply factors we can't control, so we have to be prepare by securing our pots first. That is something we do have control over so we can protect our hard work! Keep on reading to find out what supplies I used and how I securely package my pots for shipment.

 
This is how I package my pots for shipping


First you will need a box with strong walls to protect your pots from bumps during transit. Remember, we don't have control over who handles our package. I use corrugated cardboard boxes to ship my pots and I love them! Why corrugated? Corrugated boxes are strong because its walls were designed to act as a cushion to protect fragile items from getting crushed. If you look at the edges of the corrugated boxes, you'd see 3 layers; between 2 flat cardboard is a zig-zag cardboard glued to both layers for durability.


Image Source

I get my corrugated boxes from Amazon. I have various sizes on hand for different pot sizes and quantities. The 2 sizes I use frequently are the 8" x 8" x 8" and 12" x 10" x 8".
 
8x8x8"
12x10x8
 
Next, I secure the bottom box with tape. I was using the Scotch Heavy Duty Shipping Tape but then I discovered the Water Activated Paper Tape. What I like about this tape is that it's made out of paper and fiber thread, making it tamper evident and strong. So I only need to use one strip of tape to secure both openings of the box. The adhesive on the gummed paper tape is activated by water. So it may be a little messy using it for the first time until you get the hang of it.

 

Once I have the box set up, I crunch up some brown paper (kraft paper) to create a bottom cushion. 

 

Then I use Ranpak Paper to wrap each pot individually. Ranpak paper is amazing because it's a cushion wrapping paper with a honeycomb structure. The honeycomb structure when layered with the white tissue lining paper becomes an extra layer of cushion to protect against more bumps during transit.
 
Here are the 2 kinds of Ranpak Paper I use:


I make sure to roll each pot in 2-3 layer of Ranpak paper.  You should have at least 1-2 inch of space from the walls to the wrapped pot, as shown below.


Then, I use some more of the crumpled brown paper to pad all around the wrapped pot. Make sure to fill all the space in the box so the wrapped pot does not move. To top it off, I crumpled one last brown paper on top for cushion then close the box up. 
 


Packaging Supplies and Tools I Use


I get all of my packaging supplies from Amazon because it's easy to look for what I need and it always arrive on time for my needs.

Here is a list of the supplies I used for packaging my pots:
 
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, I get commissions for purchases made through links provided in this post.


Wrapping this up 

I hope you find this blog to be very helpful. There are so many ways to package pots but this is the best way I've found to keep that worked for me.

Yes, you have to wrap each pot individually. That is the most effective way to ensure it won't break. Sure, you can stack 2 or 3 pots together but that only increases the chance for it to break.

Since we have no control over the package once it's shipped, we need to make sure it can survived along it's journey. You can add a "Fragile" sticker but depending on your carrier, it may or may not charge a fragile fee. Honestly, adding the Fragile sticker does not mean it will be handled with care.


Please let me know if this post had helped you or if you have any suggestions you'd like for me to write a post on.


Thank for you reading! Happy packaging!
 
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