Steam, press and then put in a box to get all crumpled again..

[Mad Catter]

Here's an example of a whole bunch of work that will get all crumpled up for shipping. The top was shortened for some reason and that kind of crease will take a lot of work to undo. When I ship it, it's going to get all wrinkled again and not everyone has a good steamer. Pics show the altered fold before and after. Haven't steamed it out yet.

How do people ship items so their buyers receive it in decent condition? Long box? Fabric or paper between layers?
Do people add care instructions with their items?
I'm also curious if people received perfectly thought-out gifts of vintage clothing and how was it packed, what made it so special? Anything that makes life easier for my customers is worth the effort. Silk pants may squeeze into a tiny envelope but I really don't like to receive it that way.

Tips or advice for a newbie?

 

[ClubVintage]

I have often worried about these same issues. I used to exclusively use boxes for shipping with layers of tissue paper all slid into a clear plastic bag for wetness protection. People were not happy about the high shipping cost. So, I still wrap in tissue and in a plastic bag but I slide it into a tyvek envelope or padded envelope if possible to save on shipping costs. People have not complained and I sell more due in part to lower shipping fees. Shipping is so expensive these days and seems to go up every year.

I don't believe there is a good for every circumstance answer to this thorny question.

 

[bycinbyhand]

Depends on the item but I try to use USPS flat rate packaging when possible. They seem to get less dinged in transit, knock on wood. I pack with careful folding, tissue between folds. Then I wrap in dry cleaning bags (recycled). If it's going overseas, I generally do the same but instead of the bag wrap, I use 2 winds of small bubble wrap one way and 2 winds of it the other way and then tape up the bundle and pack in tyvek or brown paper.

I always add care instructions.

I pack some the items get to their destination in one piece not 'signature' wrap. I like that it gets there to withstand whatever the mail service can do to it. The packages are clean looking but not 'pretty' with the bows and so forth. I would love to do that more but it's not practical.

 

[Mad Catter]

Thanks very much to both of you!
I guess it's finding a happy medium. I'm a long time seller of antiques so I have no trouble wrapping for safety. I joke that my glass test is to throw it down the stairs, lol! It works because I've never had anything break.

I think I'll take ideas from both. And learn about Tyvek - I've only ever used it for construction or sculpting! I'll offer a regular lower priced shipping with the bubble wrap/paper and the wetness protection but maybe add a special option for people who want an extra fancy job for gift giving. People who are regular vintage buyers probably understand how to deal with the garments better than most but if they buy something as a gift to get one of their buddies into vintage, maybe they'd pay extra to have it shipped in a proper 'clothing' box so their first experience isn't hours of steaming.

No bows for sure, post office machines don't like anything that catches and that could be such a disaster! :-o

My first customer for clothing isn't here yet since I don't have proper lighting etc for pictures but at least your ideas will help prepare me, thank you!

 

[Midge]

I've thought through the same questions.... so I do steam and whatever to make it as nice as possible, then pack it up carefully in tissue paper, then plastic for protection, bubble wrap - and then send it in a sturdy plastic shipping bag. Our postal service here offers these in two sizes specifically for international shipping, with address fields, customs declaration form etc. already printed on. Our international shipping rates are so high too that shipping anything in a box will just make it too expensive. If I ship domestically, no problem - any parcel up to 2 kilos costs the same. So with one of those 40s rayon dresses that just looove to get wrinkly, I steamed it, then stuffed it with tissue paper etc. to pack it up with as few folds as possible, and shipped it in a large box. Very happy buyer - but that kind of shipping is a luxury. So far, nobody has complained about my mode of international shipping.

 

[yumyumvintage]

I press and ship with paper. But sometimes due to shipping cost I have to really bundle it to keep costs down. I think people understand. I also think people send items to be cleaned after buying....

I leave room in my shipping price so I don't have to squish it in a small box....

 

[Mad Catter]

Thanks Midge and Yumyum!
I've always refunded excess shipping so my customers don't seem to mind paying a bit extra and getting money back if it's lighter than expected. Our limit here is 1 kg but there's a size limit too. I'll need to get those measurements to save where I can.

It makes perfect sense that people would dry clean them after purchase so I can add that to the tag as a recommendation.

I'm going to measure the boxes we use for shipping long stem roses too. Might work for items that have no issues being folded at the waist. I think they're 36 inches long so it might be tight for many skirts.

So far I've tried folding a really stiff full length ball gown and doing the bubble wrap and paper thing with a slinky chiffon dress. I need practice..oh my, do I need practice!
According to the postal chart the gown would be $64 CDN ($50 USD) to Texas from Ontario :-o
Might have to sell the super heavy beaded or velvet numbers at the tourist markets in the summer.
I'll work on the gloves and scarves while I practice folding..

Thanks again!