Why your Etsy packaging matters
Creating a consistent experience for your customers is one way to increase customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. And that means that your messaging, branding, and overall vibe should be the same no matter where customers (or potential customers) encounter your business. This includes everything from your social media accounts, Etsy shop, and website to physical shops, vendor booth displays, and, yes, product packaging.
Etsy product packaging is especially important because you’ve got a lot of competition. Every time I receive an order from an Etsy seller, there are a few things I notice. 1) Every item is wrapped and placed neatly in the box or envelope. 2) Every detail of the packaging has been carefully considered and chosen to reflect the brand’s style. 3) Etsy packaging is all about filler, inserts, and freebies—more is more!
These are all great things to consider when creating your own product packaging. One good reason is that distinct product packaging increases brand awareness. Another good reason is that giving customers a little more than what they’re expecting makes them feel like they’re getting great value for their money. To help you go all out with your product packaging, here are 9 fun packaging ideas to reflect your creativity.
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How to execute creative, custom packaging without hiring a designer
Nail down brand details for packaging design
Executing creative, custom packaging yourself can be a fun and rewarding process that adds a personal touch to your brand. For example, I have a small “side hustle” business making handmade fantasy and floral accessories that appeal to folks with niche interests. The first thing I did for my business was create a unique logo that I could include in all my branding. It’s an owl I designed myself, and her name is Luna. If you don’t have a logo yet, or you want to make yours better, this article with helpful tips for making a business logo is a must-read.
Apply your designs to packaging elements
Once I had decided on a logo (along with a color palette and fonts), I could apply those elements to labels, cards, and tags for my business packaging. Whether you create designs in Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or any other design software, I recommend Avery Design and Print Online (ADPO). Using ADPO and free blank templates, you can easily transfer your designs to any Avery product. This article explains how to design labels using Canva and Avery templates in ADPO. Of course, you can also apply this information to Avery cards and tags as well. Basically, any Avery product that can be printed!
Print custom labels, cards, and tags for your packaging
Printable items like Avery labels, cards, and tags are great for small businesses looking to keep product packaging costs low without sacrificing quality. On the other hand, custom-printing services such as Avery WePrint© can provide a more polished finish for larger orders. In some cases, you may consider a combination of both. One example is printing small batches of a new design yourself to see if you like it, then having a large batch custom-printed.
Personally, I have combined custom and DIY printing to experiment with label materials on clear poly bags. I printed my design on one sheet of glossy clear labels and one sheet of matte clear labels, then applied them to the front of a poly bag. The glossy, clear labels blended well so that my label almost looked printed on the bag; the matte labels kind of looked frosted. The glossy, clear labels applied to the front of the bags gave them the creative, bespoke feel I was going for. But I ended up liking the matte material for sticker seals to close the bags. It was super helpful to figure this out before ordering hundreds of labels!
Packaging insert ideas to generate sales
I’ve learned that the more creative I get with my packaging ideas, the more my sales grow. The most successful packaging insert I’ve done is a coupon code “scratcher” with a unique code per card. I had previously struggled with coupon codes getting redeemed, but my customers loved the scratchers, and all but two codes I sent out were redeemed. The moral of the story is that adding packaging inserts to thoughtfully designed product packaging is a fantastic way to boost sales.
1) Coupon code scratcher packaging insert
Making scratchers with a custom design is so much easier and more affordable when you go the DIY route. All you need are scratch-off stickers, which can be applied to anything! (These are the ones I prefer.)
And here’s my secret for making scratch off cards with unique codes on each card: use the Mail Merge tool in ADPO. Mail Merge was designed to add individual addresses to multiple labels, but you can use it to add different information to multiple cards or tags in the same way. All you need are your unique codes added to a spreadsheet.
Add your unique codes, then print this design on Avery 3″ x 5″ index cards (5388).
To order this design on a custom-printed postcard, first save your edits, then apply the design to the WePrint product of your choice.
2) Product packaging insert idea for promotions
Get this design custom-printed on 5″ x 7″ cardstock.
Looking to print yourself? Open the template and make your changes. Save the design to your Avery account, and then you can apply it to any Avery product.
Custom packaging labels, stickers & seals
Custom packaging labels give your product an extra personal touch. I love using custom logo stickers on my packages and receiving packages with them too. When I see a package with logo stickers from my favorite brand, I’m immediately excited to open it! In general, custom stickers and seals just pull everything together for a polished look, and they make plain mailers and boxes stand out.
3) Achievement unlocked product packaging seal
Get this design printed on 2-1/4″ x 7-3/4″ custom labels or print it yourself on blank labels of the same size sold by the sheet (94244).
4) Cute packaging sticker for “Happy Mail”
Print this design on Avery 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ labels sold by the package (18126) or by the sheet (94229).
Alternatively, choose “Let Us Print for You” to order custom-printed rectangle labels.
5) “Thanks a bunch!” label for product packaging
Print this design on Avery 4-3/4″ x 3-1/2″ arch labels sold by the package (22826) or by the sheet (94600).
Alternatively, choose “Let Us Print for You” to order custom-printed arched labels.
Etsy thank-you card ideas to promote customer loyalty
Including thank-you cards in your Etsy packaging is a great way to promote customer loyalty. These little notes add a personal touch to your cute packaging for small business orders, making customers feel appreciated. In my experience, a thoughtful thank-you card encourages repeat business and positive reviews. Both of which you really need if you want to strengthen your relationship with your customers.
6) Pen pal feedback postcard packaging insert
Print this design on 4.25″ x 5.5″ matte white postcards for laser printers (5389) or inkjet printers (8386).
Or, choose “Let Us Print for You” to order custom-printed matte white, glossy white, or pearlized postcards.
7) Cute Etsy thank-you card packaging insert
Print this design on 4.25″ x 5.5″ matte white note cards for laser printers (5315) or inkjet printers (8315).
Or, choose “Let Us Print for You” to order custom-printed note cards.
Custom product packaging to increase social engagement
You absolutely need a QR code for your Esty Shop and all your brand’s social media accounts. According to research done by Capital One, Americans spend an estimated $7 million per day shopping on TikTok. So if you’re not engaging with your customers on social media, you’re leaving money on the table. Personally, when I’m connecting with a brand, I want it to be as easy as possible, and a QR code puts your links instantly at customers’ fingertips.
8) Increase follows/likes with a QR code for your Etsy shop
Print this design on Clean Edge® business cards for laser printers (5871) or inkjet printers (28878).
Or, choose “Let Us Print for You” to order custom-printed business cards.
9) Creative product packaging to encourage sharing
Print this design on Avery 22802 tags using a laser or inkjet printer.
Or, choose “Let Us Print for You” after finishing your design to order custom-printed tags.
Final thoughts on product packaging with personality
In short, never underestimate the power of Etsy product packaging. In fact, think of packaging is an extension of a brand. If you shop on Etsy, like me, you’ve probably noticed the over-the-top personalized packaging. Creative sellers approach their packaging with the same creativity as they do their products because it delivers results. Especially if you have a creative business, it’s important to bring the same energy to every part of it so that you provide a consistent experience for your customers. When you can do that, you’re perfectly primed to increase customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
To that point, given the stiff competition on Etsy, custom design and unique packaging are key. Every time a customer receives an order, they should notice the carefully chosen details that reflect your brand’s style. Luckily, Avery products and free tools make it easy to add custom designs to labels, cards, and tags for packaging. By focusing on adding personalized elements, you not only boost brand awareness but also make customers feel like they’re getting great value for their money. I know that, in my experience, thoughtfully designed packaging can truly set a business apart and definitely keep me coming back for more.
What is the coolest packaging you’ve ever received? Let us know on social media. You can follow us on Instagram for more DIY ideas for small businesses, and you can even use #averyproducts to share your own projects. Or connect with us on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
