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Small-Business Savvy: Set Up a Shipping Station
Packaging and shipping products efficiently is an essential part of your creative business. Is your studio up to the task?
I went to architecture school but am now a design and craft blogger over at Lauren Elise Crafted where I highlight crafts, DIYs and tutorials, photography, vintage finds, and all things lovely.
I went to architecture school but am now a design and craft blogger over... More »
When you're setting up a creative studio, the initial focus will be in adapting a space so you can practice your art. If you make quilts, you will set up a table with a sewing machine. If you make ceramic bowls, you will need a potter’s wheel. It is important to stock your studio with the right materials and supplies, but if your art is also a business, an equal amount of consideration should go into making sure those quilts and bowls can get packaged up and shipped out to customers quickly and efficiently.
Packing and shipping are a big part of running a creative business, but they can be overwhelming for a small operation. So much energy can go into the making of the product that the shipping stage can be overlooked. The key is setting up a space devoted to shipping and nothing else. Spend some time getting organized and stocking up on supplies before large orders start rolling in. Here are a few tips to help any creative business achieve shipping success.
Packing and shipping are a big part of running a creative business, but they can be overwhelming for a small operation. So much energy can go into the making of the product that the shipping stage can be overlooked. The key is setting up a space devoted to shipping and nothing else. Spend some time getting organized and stocking up on supplies before large orders start rolling in. Here are a few tips to help any creative business achieve shipping success.
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| Have a large, open surface devoted to shipping. Designate a separate area as your shipping station. This space should include an open surface for wrapping everything up. The size of the surface needed will vary depending on your craft. But in general, the larger the surface the better. Devote as much space to shipping as you can. It can be frustrating to work in a cramped area. |
by JDS DESIGNS
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Consider adding shelves or cubbies underneath your surface for storing boxes. Keeping boxes organized can be the biggest problem when it comes to shipping; stacks of boxes can get out of control and quickly start to infringe on your creative space. So choose a work surface for your shipping station with shelves or cubbies built in underneath. Flatten all your boxes and keep them organized by size. Keep bubble mailers and envelopes here as well.
Tip: Store most of your boxes flat but always keep a few made up and accessible so you'll be all ready to go in case an order has to get shipped out immediately.
Tip: Store most of your boxes flat but always keep a few made up and accessible so you'll be all ready to go in case an order has to get shipped out immediately.
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Use a pin board or pegboard to hang tools on so they're ready when you need them. Make sure your shipping station is stocked with all the tools and materials you will need. You do not want to be scrambling at the last minute for scissors or tape. You want these items to be highly accessible but also out of the way of your work surface. The best solution is to hang them from a pin board or pegboard that is adjacent to your shipping station. Quickly pull down the tools that you need, and cleanup afterward will be a breeze.
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Install paper roll dispensers for wrapping paper and bubble wrap. If you use rolls of paper or bubble wrap, consider installing a few paper dispensers. You can either attach them to your work surface or place them next to your station on the wall. Dispensers make it so much easier to manage paper and cut off pieces.
by Jeanette Lunde
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Tip: If you don't have room for dispensers, store your paper rolls upright in a bin next to your shipping station.
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Keep twine and ribbon together in a caddy. Add flourish to your packages with twine or ribbon and keep those loose spools organized by storing them in a hanging organizer or caddy like this one. This caddy has enough space for multiple spools so you can add variety to your packaging.
Tip: Hang a pair of scissors from the caddy. This ensures you can always find them when you need to make a cut.
Tip: Hang a pair of scissors from the caddy. This ensures you can always find them when you need to make a cut.
by French Larkspur
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Keep business cards and other promotional materials at your station. Along with your product, you're likely shipping out business cards and promotional materials (coupons, flyers) with your packages. These materials should be done ahead of time and organized at your shipping station. Organize them in a desktop caddy like this repurposed metal one. Aesthetically this vintage piece adds rustic charm to the work surface, but any drawer or cubbie system will speed up the shipping process.
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Have a whiteboard or calendar handy for creating a shipping schedule. It is important for small businesses to establish a shipping schedule — it's inefficient to run to the post office every other day. Define a routine and be honest with your customers about when you ship out packages. Keep a whiteboard or calendar near your shipping station so you can keep track of orders, check off projects when you finish them and denote shipping days.
by World Market
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Repurpose a potting bench into a shipping station. A potting bench might be the perfect solution for a shipping station. Most have shelves built in that are ideal for organizing boxes, mailers and paper. Also they are usually made out of wood, so it's easy to screw in hooks to hang tools and materials.
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The key to a successful and efficient shipping station is organization. Put time and effort into this stage of your business and make sure your studio is stocked with the right supplies. Plan ahead of time, before you start receiving large orders, to guarantee that you will be ready when when things do get busy.
Need more advice in setting up your creative space? Learn how to craft the perfect studio.
More Small-Business Savvy:
Personalize Your Packaging
Photograph Products Like a Pro
Need more advice in setting up your creative space? Learn how to craft the perfect studio.
More Small-Business Savvy:
Personalize Your Packaging
Photograph Products Like a Pro
Comments
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Excellent points, Lauren. Thanks.
12 months ago · Like
mikemorad2 Have you used USPS Regional Rate Shipping before? If you have, check out their Facebook page and leave a story about your experience! And if you haven’t, still head over to the Facebook page for a free shipping kit to give it a try! http://on.fb.me/KOjbar
11 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on May 29, 2012.
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