Why Safe Packing Matters for Handmade Pottery
As a ceramic artist that runs a small business out of my home, making sure my handmade pottery arrives safely is very important. Everything I make is custom-made and fragile, so I will never cut corners when it comes to packing. I always double box everything, wrap each piece in layers of bubble wrap, and add enough packing paper that when I shake the box, there’s no movement.
Did you know? About 10% of packages are damaged in transit; that’s roughly 1.5 billion parcels a year. That statistic is exactly why I treat packing as an extension of my artistry. My pottery deserves the same care in shipping as it does in creation.
In my last blog, I shared all the details about how I pack my fragile items. But even with that process, I was still facing another challenge of high shipping costs. Even with using PirateShip the shipping costs seemed oddly high.
The Hidden Costs of Using Recycled Boxes
In the beginning, I tried to save money by using recycled boxes. I collected them from my own deliveries and asked friends to save theirs. It felt eco‑friendly and thrifty. But reality hit:
I wasted time digging through my garage for boxes that “kind of” fit.
I often had to make last‑minute trips to buy boxes from Walmart
Poorly fitting boxes meant extra bubble wrap, foam, and packing paper.
Larger dimensions and heavier weight drove up shipping costs.
Fact: Oversized boxes can trigger “dimensional weight” pricing, meaning you pay for empty space, not just weight.What seemed like savings was actually costing me more.
How Custom Boxes Save Money and Time
After reviewing a year’s worth of shipments, tracking dimensions, weights, and costs, I realized the problem wasn’t shipping rates, it was box sizes. Investing in custom‑sized boxes felt like a bad investment at first, but it quickly paid off.
I ordered two sets of boxes that fit 90% of my pottery. For example:
My wavy bowls are 9–10 inches wide and 4–5 inches high.
I chose inner boxes at 12 × 8 inches and outer boxes at 14 × 10 inches.
This leaves 2 inches of clearance for protective materials, reducing the risk of damage.
Amazon offered the best pricing, but as my business grows, I’ll explore local suppliers to balance cost and sustainability.
Protecting Art While Reducing Costs
Now that I’m shipping in boxes that are properly sized, I’ve reduced shipping costs thanks to smaller dimensions and lighter weight. Packing is also much faster. I’m no longer wasting time hunting for boxes or making last-minute trips to the store. The right box is right there on the shelf, ready to go. That means more time for making pottery and less time figuring out how to ship it.
Turning Hesitant Shoppers into Confident Buyers
Almost every in‑person event I attend, I meet at least one customer who loves my bowls but hesitates to buy because the gift is for someone in another state. Shipping fragile pottery can feel intimidating to buyers, but this is where preparation pays off.
Without hesitation, I reassure them: “I can ship your order tomorrow, double‑boxed and safely packed via UPS.” That confidence makes all the difference. In fact, at four separate events, I’ve closed sales simply by promising secure next‑day shipping.
By showing customers that I have a reliable, professional system in place, I remove their biggest worry. Instead of walking away, they walk away with a purchase; and peace of mind knowing their gift will arrive safely.
If you run a small business and ship anything fragile, I highly recommend investing in standard-sized boxes. It’s a great way to reduce unnecessary costs and become more efficient, without ever compromising on the care your work deserves.
