Shipping invitations to my customers?
Hello! I just started making invitations and I have my first non-local client. How do you suggest packaging and shipping the invitations once they are complete? Do you wrap them in bubble wrap then stick them in a standard UPS/FedEx box? Do you have custom cardboard boxes, or ones you like/suggest, and then put those into a UPS/FedEx box? What do you think is the most professional way to package for shipping, knowing even the way it is shipped reflects back on your work and your company?
Thanks from a NEWBIE!!
Megan
I wrap the invitation in white 8.5 x 11 copy paper then use bubble wrap or the starafoam peanuts.
I’ve know people to either use nice looking gift wrap paper, shrink wrap, ribbon, etc.
You can dress it up as you see fit.
I have an account at FedEx and they offer discounts for shipping. They are everywhere a Kinkos is located.
Casey
Inky Lips Letterpress
great tip! i just signed up at fedex :)
i once shipped a lare letterhead job to a customer, they were in boxes of 500 then put in a corrugated box, what brown did for me was put it in a truck that had a leak in it, the job was so wet it wasn’t funny. Now i shrink wrap in plastic, nothing gets wet now. Good Luck Dick G.
I’m a big fan of what my local offset guy does, which is wrap each project in brown kraft paper with a printed sample of the finished product glued to the top.
As for shipping carriers, I’m not too big of a FedEx fan, since the local Kinko’s loves to bend and destroy my shipments before they even leave town. I would also be much happier if they didn’t charge residential delivery surcharges.
Because of the above, and their exorbitant international rates, I prefer USPS. I can even ship from my studio without paying a pickup fee.
Not employed by the post office,
James Beard
Vrooooom Press
James is right on- I ship with the usps after encountering the ‘delivery’ fees from UPS and FedEx being crazy high. I can’t believe they charge extra to deliver to residential locations when their shipping rates are already so high.
I shrink wrap everything in plastic, then wrap up in kraft paper (helps protect the edges, I keep telling myself), and use left over packing peanuts from my envelope and paper orders to pack everything nice and tight in the flat-rate shipping boxes. Because of the weight, some of my wedding invitation orders can range anywhere between 12-15lbs (yeah) depending on the paper weight and quantity. Flat rate is the way to go, and it’s free pickup. Can’t beat that.
Also not employed at the post offce,
evseidl