Packaging Tips
Once
you've mastered how to make soap, you're going to need to know how to
package those little buggers! Here are some tips, but by all means get
creative and let your imagination fly. I do recommend looking for good
buys in order to keep your costs down and so you don't have to
compensate for it in your prices if you decide to get into marketing
your soap.
Cured Soaps waiting to be wrapped: If your going to have to store your
soaps for any length of time and especially if you've used costly
essential or fragrance oils, your going to want to keep them in a
covered container to help them hold their scent. Shoeboxes and
tupperware containers work just fine for this. If the soaps haven't
cured all the way and you shut them up in an airtight container,
chances are they'll bead up and sweat, so make sure they're completely
cured before you do this.
Handy things to have lying around cluttering up your already messy soap
room:
* fabrics!such as calico or even burlap for a truly "rustic" look.
* washcloths! Keep your eyes peeled for "bargain" sales and stock up.
* Mugs! Great for pouring shaving soaps in or pop a bar in. Add a
filler to the cup and place a bar of soap in the center and wrap with
cellophane or tulle.
* Small brown paper bags
* Cello type bags in different styles
* Wood crates
* Soap dishes! Place one of your bars on top and wrap in clear plastic
or shrink wrap.
* Fillers! Have on hand a variety such as raffia, mosses, styrofoam,
anything you can think of.
* Baskets! You can never have too many baskets. Friends and co-workers
are a good place to start building your collection, ; ).
* Paper! This depends entirely on what you want to use...some use
rustic looking "old" paper, brown paper, marbled paper, tissue paper,
any kind of paper you want. If you don't already have a program on your
computer to add designs and logos, you can paint or draw on labels.
* Labels! Your going to want to have many different sizes and types:
sticky labels, round labels, heavyweight card stock, tiny labels for
lip balms, etc.
* Waxed paper
* Gift Wrap
* Muslin Bags: these are terrific! Not to mention you can use them to
make some bath bags, etc.
* Embellishments: These add that special something to your packaging.
Riobbons, yarns, cording, raffia, lace, etc.
* Containers: Baskets fall into this category too. Pick up interesting
containers to use when giving special gifts. Need ideas? small wooden
bowls, clay pots, tins, large sea shells, exotic glassware, you name it!
*
Wrapping the soap
Wrapping your soap is something you'll learn how to do and what works
best for you as you do it. Many people use a cigar type band that
serves as a wrap and a label in one. To do this you would create a logo
or border on your computer,fill it with your information, print it out
onto paper you've selected to use, cut into long strips and wrap so
that your info is face up on the soap.
You can do the same thing with fabric. Some people use pinking shears
to cut the fabric and tie it in an attractive bow around the soap and
then use a sticky label with your information printed on it.