A Guide to Shipping Your Arts & Crafts

This guide is most helpful to anyone who would like to start selling their lightweight work online and ship from their U.S.-based home. This list might seem daunting as you read through it, but I wanted to be as thorough as possible for anyone just starting out. Once you have your supplies and everything set up, I promise that shipping from home is easy and you will no longer have to go to the post office.

Step 1: Buy A Digital Scale

I've been using a cheap kitchen scale from Walmart for the past four years, but here's a nice looking one that I may upgrade to: American Weigh Scales Table Top Postal Scale.

Step 2: Buy Shipping Supplies

Poly Mailers: I use small bubble mailers for keychains, necklaces, etc. I use large poly mailers for plush. For my 8x10 art prints, I  sandwich the artwork between pieces of cardboard and use "Fragile! Do Not Bend!" stickers on a bubble mailer. For any of these options, I always recommend Polyethylene mailers instead of Paper mailers since poly mailers are waterproof. The cheapest options for mailers are on eBay. As an example, these are the mailers I use for plush: 200 12x15 Poly Mailers. If you are shipping larger art prints, I suggest researching articles specific to that subject.Home Printer: I just use our regular inkjet printer. You don't need anything special or expensive.Label Paper: This will save you so much time. The cheapest place I've found for label paper is here: Standard White Matte Full Sheets. I prefer full sheets so that I can cut out the label myself.Merch Bags: Some people just throw their merch in a mailer and send it on its way, but buying merchandise bags is something to think about. I always use them. Once again, eBay is the way to go for cheapest bulk prices. I like using merchandise bags and/or cello bags depending on the item.Other: packing tape, scissors, ribbon if you want to be fancy.

Step 3: Set Up Your Shipping Rates

It's time to calculate shipping rates for your online shop. I like to separate my rates by lightweight, mid weight, and heavy weight. To calculate these for domestic and international shipping, weigh one each of your lightweight, mid weight and heavy weight items in their prospective packages (Ex: weigh a keychain and its bubble mailer together on your digital scale). It's best to weigh in ounces (oz) since that's what USPS uses. Record all three weights. I always add on an ounce or two to every package just to stay on the safe side and not have to deal with returns.Now we get to the part that a lot of people have questions about: How to calculate shipping costs. If your packages are 13 oz or less, you'll be able to use USPS First Class. The most cost effective way to ship items is USPS First Class. First Class and First Class International are what I'm focusing on for this article.

1. Go to USPS.com
2. Click "Calculate a Price" from the lefthand menu.
3. Enter ZIP Codes From and To. To calculate shipping costs for domestic shipping, I always type in a ZIP Code that is at the opposite side of the US from me (just to have costs fully covered). I live in Virginia, so I type in my ZIP Code for "From" and type in a California ZIP Code for "To". Do I use 90210? Yes, yes I do. If you don't understand why, then you're too young (laughing).
4. Select Shape: Package. Enter weight of your lightweight item (You'll be doing these same steps for both mid and heavy weight items later). My lightweight item is 2 oz. Click "Continue".
5. Click the drop-down menu "First Class and Other Options". Now you can see the price for a 2 oz First Class mail parcel. This is your shipping cost for your lightweight items.
6. Click the "Back" button and calculate the price for your mid and heavy weight items. Now you have the prices for all of your domestic packages.
7. Go back to the main Postage Price Calculator page, and select "United Kingdom (Great Britain and Ireland)" for the Select a Destination section at the top of the page. The reason I choose the UK to calculate international prices is because the UK seems to have the most expensive shipping rates (once again, to have costs fully covered for you). Enter the item's value, select Package, enter the lightweight item's ounces, and click "Continue".
8. First Class International options will be displayed for your lightweight item. Go back and calculate the costs for your mid and heavy weight items.

Now, you have the shipping rates for domestic and international lightweight, mid weight, and heavy weight items. Depending on what e-commerce platform you're using, you'll now be able to set up the shipping costs for your shop.Here are some screenshots to help you through the process:

Step 4: Package & Mail An Item

You've made a sale! Now what? If you're using Etsy or PayPal, you can print labels directly through there. For sales not made through Etsy or PayPal, I actually still use PayPal to print my labels. Go to PayPal.com/ShipNow Enter your customer's shipping information and your item's weight and PayPal will create a shipping label for you. Print the label on your label paper, cut out the label, and adhere it to the poly mailer. Finish packaging your item and take it to the post office. Just kidding! The whole point of this is to never have to go to the post office ever again!!Go back to USPS.com and click on "Schedule A Pickup" on the lefthand menu. If you sign in to your account, your information will be automatically filled in. The "Schedule A Pickup" page is extremely straightforward. Now all you have to do is leave the package in your mailbox (or wherever you indicated on the form- I usually keep mine behind our storm door) the next morning.

Step 5: You're A Shipping Pro!

Once you have everything set up, I have found this to be the most streamlined, cost effective way to ship items. You may even want to create a little dedicated area in your studio for shipping. If I was an organized person I would probably do that, but my mad artistic genius prevents me from doing so.