Etsy Holiday How-To #2: Branding your Shipping Materials

julieincharge

Story by julieincharge

Published on Sept 30, 2008 in Seller Handbook

Photo by saguirl

You know Dasher and Dancer… but do you know from which Etsy seller that fetching present came?  In our second segment, Julie shows you how to brand your items by making clever and attractive shipping mailers and envelopes from recycled materials.  Here is a PDF file with an envelope pattern.

Keep that coal out of your stocking and tune in to the rest of the series for more Etsy Labs Holiday How-tos on sprucing up your shop, shipping, photography and more!

See more helpful how-tos about your indie biz in the Seller Handbook.

[This video was originally published October 22, 2007. We're bringing it back for the '08 season!]

Discuss: 56 comments

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56 comments

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  • katelynjane

    katelynjane says:

    Thanks for the helpful tips Julie (: Some fun ideas I'm going to have to try out (:

    4 years ago

  • AshleyJacobsen

    AshleyJacobsen says:

    awesome :)

    4 years ago

  • peachpops

    peachpops says:

    Great tips!

    4 years ago

  • littlellama

    littlellama says:

    So helpful, thanks!

    4 years ago

  • ShiningLightJewelry

    ShiningLightJewelry says:

    What great ideas!!! I can't wait to try them :)

    4 years ago

  • shabbyroses

    shabbyroses says:

    Love it!!!!

    4 years ago

  • FrenchTouch

    FrenchTouch says:

    Another wonderful video! I love the way you recycle bubble envelope. Do you sew them with a regular sewing machine? I've heard that sewing paper might damage a machine. Thank you!!

    4 years ago

  • Seapets

    Seapets says:

    I love your ideas, so cute!!

    3 years ago

  • littleblackcrow

    littleblackcrow says:

    Great!!!Information that I've been wondering about for a while now. I know what I'm going to do today!! cheers and thank you :)

    3 years ago

  • raisinlike

    raisinlike says:

    I could not find the envelope templates, could you please provide a link?

    3 years ago

  • mtraubAdmin

    mtraub says:

    Here's a link to the Etsy Labs blog where there is a PDF of an envelope template you can download! http://etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/04/make-envelopes.html

    3 years ago

  • Birdspoke

    Birdspoke says:

    Wow, good ideas,,, thanks heaps

    3 years ago

  • petalandpink

    petalandpink says:

    Great ideas, thanks!

    3 years ago

  • MFIPC

    MFIPC says:

    So neat! Thanks so much for the tip!

    3 years ago

  • sandicakes

    sandicakes says:

    Thanks for the great ideas. It's always nice to feel special when you recieve something in the mail.

    3 years ago

  • dogties

    dogties says:

    Cool Stuff! Thanks again.

    3 years ago

  • livefunky

    livefunky says:

    Great ideas. Thank you!

    3 years ago

  • BabaYagaDesign

    BabaYagaDesign says:

    That was great! I like to recycle packaging, but she takes it to a whole. 'notha. level... Thanks so much, Julie! I can't wait to start personalizing my mailers!

    3 years ago

  • laceandlinks

    laceandlinks says:

    Great ideas, thanks

    3 years ago

  • Studio618

    Studio618 says:

    Love that idea. Thanks.

    3 years ago

  • OrangeTwist

    OrangeTwist says:

    Great and fun ideas. Glad I found this!

    3 years ago

  • AutumnLeavesJewelry

    AutumnLeavesJewelry says:

    Very cool ideas, thanks!!!

    3 years ago

  • MAKEitSO

    MAKEitSO says:

    Thanks for making the effort to give us some more ideas!

    3 years ago

  • laurelhill

    laurelhill says:

    excellent! thanks :)

    3 years ago

  • saraaires

    saraaires says:

    WOWWWW! Lets go etsians! Can't wait to put all this cool advice to practice! nhhháááa :P

    3 years ago

  • littlegiggles

    littlegiggles says:

    wth. this is the same video as last year. and honestly, i dont think that any of these things would make your items look appealing what-so-ever. but hey, if yall like this stuff have at it.

    3 years ago

  • ArgyleWhale

    ArgyleWhale says:

    Those look pretty neat. I think the mailers are an important part of packaging. I'm pretty proud of mine: http://flickr.com/photos/justinandelise/2257776621/in/set-72157600003833149/

    3 years ago

  • nfall2rt

    nfall2rt says:

    What great ideas! I know I would be excited to receive an item in the mail like that! Maybe I should step up my presentation a bit...

    3 years ago

  • Owlishly

    Owlishly says:

    Great ideas, can't wait to try this out on some custom orders!

    3 years ago

  • shavingkitsuppplies

    shavingkitsuppplies says:

    You are so cute. Thanks for the tips!

    3 years ago

  • swallownest

    swallownest says:

    So so sweet to share. Learned and will try some of your ideas.

    3 years ago

  • missevilkitty2

    missevilkitty2 says:

    my packing for is pretty basic http://www.flickr.com/photos/gabbiesmekpic/2677625040/ thats the front and heres the back http://www.flickr.com/photos/gabbiesmekpic/2676808225/ my mailers have cool deco tape on them ..

    3 years ago

  • WiseEarthHerbs

    WiseEarthHerbs says:

    great iteas!

    3 years ago

  • Anika

    Anika says:

    Great tips! Thanks!

    3 years ago

  • Studio206

    Studio206 says:

    These videos are fantastic! I especially like the idea of making the envelopes (inexpensively) unique - make it so they can't wait to open it!

    3 years ago

  • Moontree

    Moontree says:

    I know I am totally late to this party, but I felt like this was more about recycling stuff to make crafty-looking packages, and not at all about "branding." Very cute and very clever (I liked the bubble mailer tip), but not especially polished or professional-looking.

    3 years ago

  • RecoveryRosary

    RecoveryRosary says:

    Thanks for the great tips!

    3 years ago

  • Berlinski

    Berlinski says:

    I just LOVE those ideas! So much fun!

    2 years ago

  • urbanforager

    urbanforager says:

    Thanks for the ideas. So perfect for my design philosophy of reduce, reuse, recycle.

    2 years ago

  • mojospastyle

    mojospastyle says:

    This was really helpful in creating cool eco friendly packaging. Thanks!

    2 years ago

  • beaconcreations

    beaconcreations says:

    Great Tips!! Thanks :D

    2 years ago

  • SaintBead

    SaintBead says:

    You are too cute, and the shipping supplies are, too. :) Now I have another reason why I can't wait to make my first sale. ^_^

    2 years ago

  • tanjadlyn

    tanjadlyn says:

    Love your ideas! Very creative. I will try a few of these. I have fabric scraps....may be I'll use em. Check out my blog too! www.savvybabygoodies.blogspot.com Thanks for the tips!

    2 years ago

  • EthelLong

    EthelLong says:

    Thanks for the great tips! I am going to create unique thank you notes right away.

    2 years ago

  • MrsLaura30

    MrsLaura30 says:

    Awesome ideas!

    2 years ago

  • thevintagetreehouse

    thevintagetreehouse says:

    Great! Makes me what to package up some sales :)

    2 years ago

  • BirdTrouble

    BirdTrouble says:

    ahhhh! Im so inspired now! *runs to craft room*

    2 years ago

  • barbedlotus

    barbedlotus says:

    I love using recycled boxes. I get a lot from uhaul that I cut down to size and then spray paint really quick using my almost dead spray cans and some great wall stencils. It doesn't put enough paint on to make the tape not stick, but it does make the uhaul print a little less yucky looking. I also just got a new storage unit and the office started saving boxes for me, which is great because their boxes are blank and the same size as the uhaul ones.

    2 years ago

  • sofisticata

    sofisticata says:

    Very creative :)! Thank you for your ideas!

    2 years ago

  • TheHourglassStudio

    TheHourglassStudio says:

    I love these ideas, sure to try them with old things around the studio, thank you!

    2 years ago

  • TutusChic

    TutusChic says:

    Very fun! I like to stamp images on my packages and I just ordered a return address stamp to use on packages and a shop branding logo from an etsy member. Really easy and personal. Thanks for the tips

    2 years ago

  • lynnjulian

    lynnjulian says:

    "Make your mailer look like a present"... SUPER IDEA, THANKS!

    2 years ago

  • momndaughterheart

    momndaughterheart says:

    Great ideas...I'm a recycle freak anyway, so I love all the cutsies!! Thanks Julie!

    2 years ago

  • chifinds

    chifinds says:

    WONDERFUL video! Thank you so much. You are both informative and fun to watch. Thanks again.

    2 years ago

  • AllAboutCats

    AllAboutCats says:

    Thanks for the great tips!

    2 years ago

  • cyn775

    cyn775 says:

    Thanks for the tips. I am always torn between wanting to use as much recycled packaging as possible and wanting to give customers something cute. Great ideas.

    136 days ago