How To Ship A Package 📦 Shipping Guide 101 For Beginners!

Summary

In this insightful video, Mei Pak shares essential tips for makers and artists on setting up a worry-free shipping system for their handmade products. She emphasizes the importance of proper packaging to ensure safe delivery and presents cost-effective options like USPS's free priority boxes. Mei also introduces various software solutions for hassle-free postage and shipping label printing, highlighting the time-saving benefits of an automated shipping process. Finally, she recommends essential tools like weighing scales, printers, and labels to streamline the shipping experience, with a special preference for thermal printers for their reliability and convenience.

Takeaways

• 📦 Packaging is crucial for the safe delivery of handmade products. Consider the rough handling during transit and use appropriate packaging materials like bubble wrap.
• 🏷️ Branding starts with the box. The packaging is the first impression a customer has of your product, so choose boxes or mailers that also serve as a form of branding.
• 💰 Balancing cost and protection is key. Paying a bit more for better packaging can save you from the cost of returns due to damaged items.
• 📈 USPS offers free boxes for priority and express mail, which can help in reducing packaging costs.
• 🔖 Bubble wrap is preferred over newspaper for its light weight and better protection.
• 🛍️ For jewelry, using gift boxes within bubble mailers can be an effective packaging strategy, avoiding the extra cost and weight of boxes.
• 📝 Efficient shipping involves using shipping software that integrates with your online sales platforms to automate the process of generating shipping labels.
• 🚚 Shipping software can save time by allowing you to print shipping labels at home and schedule USPS pickups, avoiding trips to the post office.
• 💻 Calculating shipping rates in real-time with software ensures you're always up-to-date with the current prices and can adjust your product pricing accordingly.
• ⚖️ A weighing scale is essential for accurate shipping costs, as most services charge based on weight.
• 🖨️ Thermal printers are recommended for printing shipping labels due to their durability and cost-effectiveness compared to inkjet or laser printers.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video script?

The speaker is Mei Pak, who helps makers, artists, and designers make a consistent income from selling their handmade products online.

What is the main purpose of the video script?

The main purpose of the video script is to share the three key things needed to set up a professional and worry-free shipping system for handmade products.

What are the three key aspects discussed for setting up a shipping system?

The three key aspects discussed are packaging products for safe travel, using software and sites for postage and shipping labels, and the tools and equipment needed for shipping.

Why is packaging important according to the script?

Packaging is important because it ensures the safe travel of products and is the first bit of branding that customers receive, affecting their expectations of the product inside.

What is the speaker's suggestion for packaging fragile items like ceramics?

The speaker suggests investing in proper packaging like bubble wrap and sturdy boxes to prevent damage during shipping, even if it means paying a little more.

How does the United States Postal Service (USPS) support small businesses with packaging?

USPS provides free boxes for priority and express mail, which can be ordered online at USPS.com or obtained at a local USPS store.

What are some of the popular shipping software options mentioned in the script?

Some popular shipping software options mentioned are Indicia, ShipStation, Stamps.com, and Pirate Ship.

What is the benefit of using shipping software for online sellers?

Shipping software allows sellers to buy postage online, print shipping labels at home, and schedule USPS pickups, saving time and effort compared to going to the post office.

What are the essential tools and equipment needed for shipping according to the script?

The essential tools and equipment needed for shipping include a weighing scale for accurate product weights, a printer for labels, and thermal shipping labels with a sticky back.

Why are thermal printers recommended over regular inkjet or laser printers for shipping labels?

Thermal printers are recommended because they use heat to create ink on labels, eliminating the need for separate ink cartridges, and the labels are resistant to smudging in wet conditions.

What are some of the features offered by shipping software that can benefit small businesses?

Shipping software offers features like calculated shipping rates, integration with various shipping services including USPS, DHL, and FedEx, and the ability to print customs forms at home.