Wrapping and Packaging your Soap
Packaging your soap
Packaging your soaps is a lovely way to express your creativity and also to protect your soaps and keep them clean. Many soapers do not wrap their soaps and sell them quite successfully "a la naturelle", however, I like to wrap my soaps, especially if you need to post them or store them for some time.
Wrapping your soap does not need to be difficult, but it is time consuming, so set aside a certain amount of time each week to wrap and package soaps.
A very pretty way to package your soap is to simply wrap it in some decorative paper, tie it with a ribbon and then label your soap. I make my own labels as I find that this is more cost effective. I did try purchasing labels from Avery and downloading templates, but found that creating my own on Word is much simpler and cost effective. As you can see with the Oval label in the above pics, it is often difficult to line up the Avery label with your text or printer settings.
Your local craft shop, newsagent or $2 shop, often stocks clear, sealable cellophane bags, which are excellent for packaging your soaps. Add a ribbon, a label or sticker and your done.
Many soap suppliers on the internet, sell soap boxes which are a quick and easy way to package your soaps. These boxes are easy to label and decorate.
You can also find heat shrink plastic on ebay and some soap suppliers, however, with this method you will need to purchase a heat gun to generate enough heat to shrink the plastic evenly. I also think that the heat shrink wrap is a little on the pricey side.
Below is a video from Soap Queen TV which will help to give you some ideas on packaging melt and pour soap, however, you can adopt these ideas for your cold process and hot process soap making.
Wrapping your soap does not need to be difficult, but it is time consuming, so set aside a certain amount of time each week to wrap and package soaps.
A very pretty way to package your soap is to simply wrap it in some decorative paper, tie it with a ribbon and then label your soap. I make my own labels as I find that this is more cost effective. I did try purchasing labels from Avery and downloading templates, but found that creating my own on Word is much simpler and cost effective. As you can see with the Oval label in the above pics, it is often difficult to line up the Avery label with your text or printer settings.
Your local craft shop, newsagent or $2 shop, often stocks clear, sealable cellophane bags, which are excellent for packaging your soaps. Add a ribbon, a label or sticker and your done.
Many soap suppliers on the internet, sell soap boxes which are a quick and easy way to package your soaps. These boxes are easy to label and decorate.
You can also find heat shrink plastic on ebay and some soap suppliers, however, with this method you will need to purchase a heat gun to generate enough heat to shrink the plastic evenly. I also think that the heat shrink wrap is a little on the pricey side.
Below is a video from Soap Queen TV which will help to give you some ideas on packaging melt and pour soap, however, you can adopt these ideas for your cold process and hot process soap making.
Soap Queen TV Episode 11: Packaging Ideas
How to make your own Soap Label using WordI know that finding the right label or tag for your soap can be challenging. I searched everywhere for help with this. There are many helpful soapers out there who have posted their templates. Some use excel. Some use publisher. I find that using Word is simpler for me. I will try to go through step by step for you.
Cigarette Labels or Wrap Around Soap Labels
By working down each column, this should ensure that your ingredients list is at the back of your soap and the title and pictures are at the front. See the Coconut Cream soap image at the top of this page. Hint: Before cutting and pasting into the other columns and then printing off, print off just the one column to size it to your soap. Then you will be able to make the required adjustments before you waste too much ink! Sometimes you will need to tweek the spacing and font size to get it just right. Save your page and use it as a template for other soaps. You can use lovely coloured and textured paper to create an attractive label. |
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How to make your soap Tags or Tie on labels using Word
Tag Labels for your soap
Making your own tags and labels can be both enjoyable and frustrating until you get it 'just right', but remember, you will then have a template for all your other labels and tags which certainly makes life easier!
To make a tag or tie on label for your soap is very simple. Instead of paper, you will need cardboard, but ensure that it is not too thick, and will be ok to use with your printer. As you can see in the above images I use green cardboard as my colours are hot pink and lime green in my logo. Alternatively, you can purchase tags in packages from Avery and use their templates to create some lovely tags or tie on labels. This allows you to move away from the 'squarish' shape of my simple tags. As above do the following:
Making your own tags and labels can be both enjoyable and frustrating until you get it 'just right', but remember, you will then have a template for all your other labels and tags which certainly makes life easier!
To make a tag or tie on label for your soap is very simple. Instead of paper, you will need cardboard, but ensure that it is not too thick, and will be ok to use with your printer. As you can see in the above images I use green cardboard as my colours are hot pink and lime green in my logo. Alternatively, you can purchase tags in packages from Avery and use their templates to create some lovely tags or tie on labels. This allows you to move away from the 'squarish' shape of my simple tags. As above do the following:
- Choose a new blank document
- Set your page orientation to Landscape
- Go into tables and create your first table. Set your table to fit the page and create 6 columns and 2 rows. You can create more or less columns, depending on how small or large you want your tags to be.
- In the first column, and first row, add your logo or Title and the name of your soap
- In the first column, and second row, create your list of ingredients.
- Copy and paste this completed column into your other columns.
- Print and cut. Fold your labels and then with a paper hole press make one hole in the top left corner of the tag. (See the tags in the above images).
- Tie on with ribbon or string. You should have a tag that is folded and allows your customers to read both sides of your tag.
How to Make a simple Paper wrappers
I found making the most simple paper wrapper to be the most challenging for me. I found it difficult to find the correct spot to include the front image and the ingredients information on the back. Just a reminder...when selling or giving away soap, it is important to always include the ingredients in order from the greater amount of ingredient to the lesser.
In order to achieve this type of wrapper, as seen on the Berry soaps, Goat milk soaps above, I used Word.
Firstly- I went to Tables and chose Rows and created my rows.
Second- I then went to Columns and chose 3 columns.
Thirdly- In the middle column I placed my image and soap name and in the final column I wrote up the ingredients. Adjust your columns to what you think is a good fit for you soap and print off one for accurate measuring. Once measured, adjust your columns to fit your soap.
Fourth- I then went into Borders and Shading and removed the lines in my columns so that they would not print. Added more rows as needed and printed.
If you do not want to spend this amount of time, I suggest making a wrapper as above, but omit the middle column and only have the ingredients section. Then you can add a sticker to the front of your soap as seen in the Berry soap above. This is certainly easier with less fiddling to get your columns just right!
In order to achieve this type of wrapper, as seen on the Berry soaps, Goat milk soaps above, I used Word.
Firstly- I went to Tables and chose Rows and created my rows.
Second- I then went to Columns and chose 3 columns.
Thirdly- In the middle column I placed my image and soap name and in the final column I wrote up the ingredients. Adjust your columns to what you think is a good fit for you soap and print off one for accurate measuring. Once measured, adjust your columns to fit your soap.
Fourth- I then went into Borders and Shading and removed the lines in my columns so that they would not print. Added more rows as needed and printed.
If you do not want to spend this amount of time, I suggest making a wrapper as above, but omit the middle column and only have the ingredients section. Then you can add a sticker to the front of your soap as seen in the Berry soap above. This is certainly easier with less fiddling to get your columns just right!
Quote code J9 at checkout to receive your discount on Happy Organic Skincare.