Starting a home baking business is an exciting adventure. When I first started one thing I did was I started looking on Pinterest for packaging ideas. The right packaging not only protects your baked goods but also enhances their visual appeal and can communicate your brand's identity. But where do you start? Here’s a guide to help you find the perfect packaging for your home baking business.
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Consider the Price of Your Packaging
While building your business keep the cost low!! Unless your items are created to be gift boxes, the customer does not care as much about your packaging. For example, a cake is not going to be displayed in the box. The cake is going to be taken out of the box and the box will be thrown away.
So keep the price low while still maintaining quality. You don’t need your box falling apart and ruining your beautiful desserts.
It is very tempting to want to start off with super cute aesthetically pleasing boxes, but keep in mind either you are adding it to the cost and the customer is paying for it or it's digging into your profit.
One question I had to ask myself was if I was buying a cake would I like to know I paid an extra $10 for a cute box? My answer was no.
When to splurge on packaging
There are times when it is nice to have cute packaging. Here are times when you should consider paying more for your packaging.
It is going to be given as a gift
It is part of a special holiday menu
If it is more durable and you will be able to reuse it for delivers
Ex. I sell cookies on Etsy. For those boxes, I do spend more.
They need to go in the mail so they need to be durable
They arrive at the person who is receiving it as a gift
When to buy in bulk
I don’t recommend buying packaging in bulk until you're at least 6 months into your business. You think this won’t happen but your menu might change. I still have macaron boxes from when I thought I was going to be selling macarons consistently. (4 years ago!!)
Buy a small amount to start and as you grow your business and see your needs, then you should buy in bulk.
By waiting you can see:
Which packaging you like more
Which is more durable
What you sell the most
What sizes do you need more of
Are you delivering more desserts or having them picked up
Does Your Packaging Reflect Your Brand Identity
Packaging is an extension of your brand. Consider incorporating your logo, brand colors, and a tagline or message that reflects your business values. This helps create a memorable experience for your customers and builds brand recognition. I talk all about how to create a brand identity here.
Think about your brand character and think “Is this packaging something they would be happy with?”
How to add branding to generic packaging
The best way to add branding to your packaging is with a sticker. They are so easy to create an on-brand design on CANVA.
You can get them printed with places like:
Add a "How to care for” sticker
Another great idea is to include a sticker or a flyer with the care instructions. I talk about that more indept here.
This one from Etsy is great and you can edit it on Canva yourself!
Where to Buy Packaging
Sounds obvious and not very exciting but I still buy my packaging from Amazon. I find that I am able to get just what I need for a great price and have it arrive quickly. It is easy to try things out and return with ease when needed.
Pay attention to reviews and price per item.
When you can afford to buy in bulk and know what you need/ like then you can research packaging from other websites.
Here are some websites that offer bulk packaging.
AliexpressStarting a home baking business is an exciting adventure. When I first started one thing I did was I started looking on Pinterest for packaging ideas. The right packaging not only protects your baked goods but also enhances their visual appeal and can communicate your brand's identity. But where do you start? Here’s a guide to help you find the perfect packaging for your home baking business.
Alibaba large quantities, customizable
https://bioandchic.com/ (eco friendly)
uline
Choosing the right packaging for your home baking business is an exciting step towards starting your home baking business. By balancing functionality, aesthetics, and brand identity, you can create a delightful experience for your customers that enhances the appeal of your delicious baked goods. For more tips on starting your home baking business make sure to check out my other blog posts!