How to Package and Ship Clothing

Learn how to fold, prep, and package clothing for shipment. Your customers will thank you!

 

 

With e-commerce clothing sales projected to increase every year over the next five years, packaging and shipping your clothing professionally is essential to keeping up with the quickening pace of retail. Whether you specialize in vintage clothes, high-end fashion, or discount apparel, this guide will lay out everything you need to know to keep your online apparel business running full steam ahead.

 

Choose the Right Packaging Materials

When shipping clothes, it’s important to pack each garment neatly in appropriately sized packaging. You don’t want your customer’s first impression of your product to be a wrinkled mess. To avoid this, the right supplies make all the difference.

If you’re only sending one item — say, a button-down t-shirt or a pair of pants — a padded shipping envelope is ideal: it’s inexpensive, practical, and secure. Just be sure to fill out and attach your shipping label to the package before you put the clothes in. For bulkier garments like sweaters or for multiple items, a corrugated box is your best bet. The thick material will protect the clothes, while a well-sized box will prevent the items from shifting around too much during transit, which can lead to wrinkles.

Presentation is important, no matter what business you’re in — but since clothing is all about appearance; it helps to go the extra mile. Wrap clothes in white tissue paper or tie them up with rustic twine to add a personal, thoughtful touch.

 

Fold and Prep the Clothes

When it comes to packing, neatly fold each item of clothing — don’t roll them! Rolling causes wrinkles and the clothes will end up looking messy upon delivery.

To fold your clothes like a high-end retailer, start by clearing a space so you can lay the items out flat. For shirts and sweaters, lie them face down. Fold the sleeves over the back. Then fold the edges in length-wise, smoothing out any wrinkles or creases neatly with your hands. Finally, fold the item in half for a professional, finished look. Dresses can be folded the same way — just be aware that the skirt area may need an additional lengthwise fold.

For pants, fold in half with the zipper inside the fold. Then, smooth the item with your hands before folding into thirds.

Once you’ve folded the clothes, wrap them in tissue paper and secure the bundle with a fun piece of washi tape.

Place the clothing neatly into the mailer of your choice. If you’re using a cardboard box, be sure to pack the box with a filler — possibly brown kraft paper sheets — so that the clothing doesn’t slide around on its way to the customer.

 

Prepare to Ship

Now that your package is ready to ship, you have a few options. If your package weighs less than one pound, USPS First-Class Mail is the least expensive option. If it’s over one pound, consider Priority Mail Flat Rate, or, if your package is local, the Regional Rate.

Whatever option you choose, be sure to opt-in for delivery confirmation so you can verify that your package has arrived on time and in one piece!