Friday 14 October 2011

Pictorial Soap Story Continued... Packaging


My Orange Poppyseed soaps are finally ready for packaging!
 



First I cut the paper in strips...


I line up the soap and start folding to size...


Rotate...


Crease...


 Cut..


Remove and crease again... EXTRA crease... I love sharp lines... (please excuse the thumb bruise)



Tape up the bottom...

Check out my super-duper automatic tape-cutter!  This was a Christmas present from my daughter and I use it almost every day.  It takes any size tape-roll and cuts the peices automatically to the size I want.


Fold the ends like gift wrapping...


Tape them...






Cut the cigar bands...








crease, crease, crease...




Stick ingredient label sticker on bottom to hold cigar band together...




Would love to see how you all go about your packaging!  Hope you have enjoyed the series on my processes.

xo
Jen

38 comments:

Tierra Verde Handmade Soap said...

Jen, I love,love,love the attention to detail on your packaging. It looks pretty labor intensive though, but thinking about mine-it is also. I guess someday when we are raking in the $$ we can move to beautiful boxes like our friend Amy! ;-)) Great packaging my friend!

HeirloomNaturalSoap said...

It's no wonder they look fantastic -mine have NEVER looked so fine! (That's why I finally caved to the box-thing) Your labels are so crisp and bright -just beautiful. :)

Two Blooms Design Studio said...

Lovely, your cigar band and wrapping is very detailed. The cigar band is great by the way as you can see your log on either side. I like the tape dispenser too.

Michelle

Holly said...

I love your packaging. It's so crisp and easy on the eyes!

ASBloom said...

Lovely!

Kenia said...

Great looking soaps and gr great looking packaging. I wish I could stick to one size bar of soap....I get to experimenting and then I have to change all of my packaging. One day I'll get it together.

Bobbins and Balms said...

love the attention to detail and crisp creases.

Jennifer Young said...

Michele (Tierra Verde), Thank you so much. Your compliment means a lot coming from you because I ADORE your packaging. Yes, my packaging is very labour intensive. I have fantasized about bags, boxes and other things that would make it easier but I just haven't found an option that I like as much as my current packaging. It took me so long to find something that I really like. I usually do packaging as I watch TV with my family. I spend several hours a week packaging. I must admit I kind of like it doing it though... xoxo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Becky, Thank you so much. I am so pleased that you like them. I haven't tweeked this packaging in about 8 months. I think it is here to stay for a while. I remember (I think it was) you asking on your blog (but it may have been Joanna from Product Body?) how important we thought packaging was. I think if you are looking to make money from your product, packaging and branding is VERY important. If it is just a hobby, it is not that important. Can you post about your latest packaging? I am interested to see what you are doing lately... xo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Michelle (Two Blooms), Thank you Michelle. The two sided thing is important for me because I do everything on my packaging in both English and Spanish. I struggled along designing in MS Word for a while until I discoverd a inexpensive programme called Serif Page Plus. I downloaded the free trial and worked with that for about 6 months before buying the full version. It does all my cream packaging designs as well (round). xoxo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Holly, Thank you thank you!! xo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

ASBloom, Thank you very much! xo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Kenia, I remember each stage of this wonderful passion of ours.... I remember my first soap, my first delivery of Coconut Oil (previously gooey all-olive Oil soaps), each new mould, new sizes, new recipes, new colours, discoveries... and finally getting some of the basics settled like logo, packaging, size, basic recipes and scents... which i am thrilled about. But like you, I never stop experimenting. I tried a completly different size recently for my shampoo bars and didn't like it. Cheers to experimenting and new discoveries!! xo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Bobbins & Balms, Thank you! I sharp lines and creases in packaging makes a big difference. Glad you like it!! xo Jen

Donna OShaughnessy said...

Jen, I am humbled by your packaging. If I had a bar of yours I would NEVER unwrap it but I would end up sleeping with it I'm afraid. My packaging ? Hmmm. I might have to do a post about "How lazy soapers wrap" Yes, I think I will.

Jennifer Young said...

Donna, Hmmm... then would that be your comfort soap? No no, they are for using! Not looking at!! Please do post about your packaging. Can't wait... xo Jen

Nitya said...

I am sure you must spend a lot of time packing your soaps. The lines are so crisp and clean. I am still brainstorming on the packing. Till now I used to cling wrap them, but I want something more beautiful and also something in paper or cardboard or organza bags or or or.... :)

Jennifer Young said...

Hi Nitya, thank you. I do spend a lot of time packaging. But I kind of enjoy it. I would love to see photos of some of your attempts at packaging? Looking forward to your next experiment. xo Jen

Patti said...

Stunning packaging and photography! Love it!

Jennifer Young said...

Milla, Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed the post! xo Jen

Jaboning said...

This cute and simple packaging fits ur soaps!

roxta said...

Simple and beautiful! xx

Soaps and Bubbles said...

Beautiful; haha I wrap my soaps with backing paper aswel. I noticed it keeps the soap nicely and the baking paper is slightly oily and great for the soap :D

Jennifer Young said...

Soaps and Bubbles, Yes I really like the look of the baking paper... the only thing is sticking it... sometimes the tape doesn't hold and I have to get an extra strength tape. xo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Roxta, Thank you!! xo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Jaboning, Thank you so much! xo Jen

Ihopemysoaplooksasgoodasyours said...

Nice packaging! May I ask what weight of paper you use for the bands?

Jennifer Young said...

Hi ihopemysoaplooksasgoodasyours, Wow that is a long name! I have tried with different paper weights. I don't like the basic 90grams but 120 was too stiff so I think I am somewhere in between now. Thanks for commenting! xo Jen

ihopemysoaplooksasgoodasyours said...

Thanks Jennifer. Does the baking paper allow the fragrance of the soap to seep out so the customer can still smell it?

Jennifer Young said...

ihopemysoaploosasgoodasyours, Yes I really like the baking paper. It is very slightly see-through so that you can slightly see the colour and also can lightly smell the soap through the paper, however, wrapping the soap entirely helps keep the EO scent longer I think. I had previously toyed with the idea of packaging with a little peek-through hole. I still like the idea, however, I try to do everything possible to conserve the scent as long as I can. I think fully wrapping helps. I have no idea if yoursoapslookasgoodasmine, can you send me photos? naturalmentemediterraneo@yahoo.com xoxo Jen

ihopemysoaplooksasgoodasyours said...

Thanks again Jennifer. I don't currently make soap but I'm wanting to start offering it and just want to do it the right way from the beginning. I like the way your soap is packaged, it's the nicest I've seen, and have heard that when selling at craft shows or fairs the soaps the customers can see and smell sell the best. I did see on some of your photos where it looks like you've placed a sample of the soap next to the packages ones. I think that's a great idea and probably something I'd like to do and when they choose the soap give them one that's packaged. I'm too impatient however to make CP soap and am leaning toward M&P.

Jennifer Young said...

ihmslagay, Thanks again! I really appreciate your comment. I tried SO many different packaging ideas before I came to this one. Yes I put out a sample of each soap type that the customers can pick up, touch and sniff. Also wanted to let you know that it is difficult to glue/tape the baking paper... you need a very sticky tape. Sometimes it pops open when doesn't look too professional. You are right... you need a lot of patience for CP, but it is so worth the waiting. Send me pix when you get making or send me a blog link if you set up a blog! xo jen xo

STC said...

I've been trying to figure out what type of paper to use to get this effect. I found brown paper to be too stiff and wax paper did not look bad but I will look into trying the baking sheets to see if thats the best bet. I want to hand wrap soaps in from of the customer's eyes as I intend to display my soaps in large cookie jars for an inviting visual effect. Thanks for being so inspiring.

Mabel said...

I love how detailed and pretty your packaging looks. Very informative as well.

I tried baking paper and it's too slippery for the tape that I have so am using tissue wrapping paper (the kind they use to wrap bags, clothing, etc). You can still see through the paper and it keeps the scent in although not very smooth and easy to tear! :)

Jennifer Young said...

Thanks for the comment Mabel! yes, it was a challenge to find tape that worked for me, EXTRA stickly tape but I found it. Tissue paper sounds like a nice idea too, as you can do different colours!! Post photos!! xo Jen

terri said...

This is old post but i love the look --what tape is this in the picture as having hard time sticking anything to my paper!!! Thanks.

Nobel Quran said...

I read your blog from Packaging Boxes I am interested because of good information shared actually I belong to UK and I find Soap Box Packaging.

Craig Martin said...

This is difficult to make, I personally think anyone who is an expert can do this all without mistake, else everyone will have difficulty in making this. Soap Packaging Boxes