The Ultimate Guide to Package, Label, and Ship for Small Business Success

Running a handmade soap business comes with unique shipping challenges. Your products need protection from temperature changes, moisture, and physical damage, all while keeping costs manageable. Here's your comprehensive guide to packaging and shipping soaps efficiently.

Workflow

1. Order received at www.barefootbetters.com
2. Package product
3. Print and insert packaging slips
4. Weight and measure product
5. Print shipping label
6. Schedule USPS pickup or UPS drop off

Packaging Materials: Finding the Sweet Spot

Primary Packaging

Essential Oil Bottles (up to 5 bottles). Amazon costs $20 for 50 bubble mailers by Quality Park.

Wrap the essential oil bottles in honeycomb packing paper from Amazon - HEXAWRAP Store - $30 for 15" x 400ft

• Shrink wrap ($10-15/100 pieces)
• Protects soap from moisture and scent transfer
• Maintains product freshness
• Cost-effective primary barrier
• Pro tip: Use a hairdryer instead of purchasing a heat gun initially
• Glassine paper ($20-25/100 sheets)
• Natural alternative to shrink wrap
• Environmentally friendly option
• Adds an artisanal touch
• More expensive but appeals to eco-conscious customers

Secondary Packaging

• White Corrugated Shipping Mailer Packing Boxes
  • L6" x W4" x H3" - $38.95 for 100 pieces ( ebay - threerb)
  • USPS Commercial Connect Local (uspsconnect.com) - Flat Rate Box $4.50 (< 1 lb), see USPS Postal Explorer
• Bubble Mailers Padded Envelopes
  • 6"x10" - $15.95 for 50 pieces (https://www.ebay.com/itm/380097378434)
  • 8.5"x12" - $30 for 100 pieces (ebay - 3-Tech Digital World)
• Perfect for 1-3 soap bars
• Built-in cushioning
• Lightweight to minimize shipping costs
• Available in various sizes
• Bubble mailers ($25-30/50 pieces)
• Good for single soap bars
• Excellent protection
• Lightweight
• Takes up minimal storage space

Cost-Effective Label Printing Solutions

Printer Options

1. Thermal Label Printer ($100-200 initial investment)

• No ink needed
• Perfect for shipping labels
• Rollo and DYMO are popular choices
• Pays for itself in 3-6 months through saved ink costs

1. Regular Printer + Label Paper

• Use if you already own a printer
• Purchase half-sheet adhesive labels
• Good for both product and shipping labels
• Consider laser over inkjet for water resistance

Label Software and Services

1. Free Options

• USPS Click-N-Ship
• Pirate Ship
• PayPal shipping labels
• Google Docs templates for product labels

1. Paid Services

• Shopify Shipping
• ShipStation - has more cart integrations than ShippingEasy
• Stamps.com
  • ShippingEasy (free up to 20 shipments per month) and has more carrier support than ShipStation
    • UPS
    • FedEx
    • Globegistics
    • OnTrac
    • ePost Global (formerly RR Donnelley)
    • APC Postal Logistics
    • DHL eCommerce
    • DHL Express

ShippingEasy

Benefits

• Discounted shipping labels
• ShippingEasy's One Balance offers a single account for multiple carriers
• Synch WooCommerce orders into ShippingEasy

Once you connect ShippingEasy to WooCommerce (need to provide login username and password), you should have a WordPress Dashboard screen similar below.

Disadvantages

• Doesn't verify address before an order can be placed. www.easypost.com offers this
• ShippingEasy does not physically deliver your packages
• support@shippingeasy.com

References

• How To Create A Profitable Online Store by Steve Chou
  • How To Automate Shipping For Your Online Store

Easypost

Use with 1teamsoftware.com see https://www.easypost.com/partners/1teamsoftware/ which offers woocommerce plugins, cost is $99 a year (https://1teamsoftware.com/product/woocommerce-easypost-shipping-pro/)

Free version of the plugin doesn't give the ability to disable carriers, so you get a list like this

Issues with entering the new license key when upgrading from the Free to the Pro version of EasyPost Shipping.

Shipping Cost Optimization

USPS Options

1. First Class Package (under 16 oz)

• Most economical for single bars
• 2-5 day delivery
• Includes tracking

1. Priority Mail Flat Rate

• Best for orders over 16 oz
• Free boxes from USPS
• Consistent pricing regardless of distance

Cost-Saving Strategies

1. Order Bundling

• Encourage multiple-bar purchases
• Offer free shipping thresholds
• Use volume discounts

1. Regional Focus

• Target local customers initially
• Participate in local markets
• Offer local pickup options

Step-by-Step Packaging Process

1. Wrap individual soaps in shrink wrap or glassine
2. Add product labels with ingredients and weight
3. Bundle multiple bars with tissue or kraft paper
4. Place in mailer with bubble wrap if needed
5. Add thank you note and care instructions
6. Seal package and apply shipping label
7. Document tracking number in your system

Pro Tips for Success

1. Buy in Bulk

• Purchase packaging supplies in larger quantities
• Join soap-making groups for bulk buying power
• Store materials properly to prevent damage

1. Track Your Costs

• Calculate per-package cost
• Include packaging in product pricing
• Monitor shipping damage rates
• Adjust packaging strategy based on data

1. Seasonal Considerations

• Use insulated mailers in summer
• Add "temperature sensitive" labels
• Consider shipping early in the week
• Monitor weather patterns in destination cities

Sustainability Options

1. Eco-Friendly Alternatives

• Kraft paper wrapping
• Paper tape
• Recycled mailers
• Biodegradable bubble wrap
• Communicate green choices to customers

1. Reducing Waste

• Right-size packaging
• Reuse received packaging materials
• Implement a packaging return program
• Minimize plastic use

Final Thoughts

Starting small and scaling up is key to successful soap shipping. Begin with basic, protective packaging and upgrade as your business grows. Monitor customer feedback and shipping success rates to continuously improve your process. Remember that consistent, secure packaging builds customer trust and reduces costly replacements.

Track your packaging and shipping costs carefully - they should typically account for 10-15% of your product price. Adjust your strategy based on what works best for your specific products and customer base.