Packaging Pottery to Ship Internationally
Channel: Old Forge Creations
Date: 2020-08-17

This is the way I've found that is the best compromise on the three main variables - reliability, cost, and environmentally.

Before I start packing, I smooth the base and wash the piece, checking for any defects as I do it. It's frustrating to find a problem at this stage, but much better than shipping it out and having the customer find the issue instead.

Then I bubble wrap. I haven't found a biodegradable alternative that works anywhere near as well so for the moment I'm sticking with bubble wrap. These are 50x50cm perforated sheets from a roll, which is a good size for most things.

Next I assemble the double wall box and stick it with paper parcel tape. This is the self adhesive version (rather than being gummed and needing to be soaked in water first, which is the other option) without reinforcing thread. I've found this does the job perfectly well.

Then I pack the box with biodegradable packing peanuts. Not only are these better for the environment than the polystyrene version, they do a better job too as they compress and fill the spaces better. Make sure to pack them tightly into the gaps around the work to prevent it from moving at all, especially if you're packing multiple items into one box.

The final thing (not mentioned in the video) is to add the little FRAGILE stickers with the glass icon. I've heard that couriers will pay absolutely no attention to fragile tape but will assume anything with the stickers is breakable. That still doesn't mean they'll be careful with it though!

This is how I pack all my work at the moment. I ship the majority internationally, and very very rarely have a piece break in transit. I'd estimate that maybe one in a hundred is lost (that percentage is higher with the slower shipping options, next day almost never have issues) and breakages are less common than that.

Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or if there's anything I didn't cover.

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