From a small business that sends a large volume of delicate dishware through the mail every week...
Expert Tips for Packing & Shipping your China
Whether you’re shipping your plates for a cross country move, selling online or sending them to be upcycled into tiered trays and decor at our Brooklyn studio, follow these steps to keep your pieces safe in transit.
1. Stack Same Size Pieces & Add Cushion to Separate
Stack items of the same size and separate each individual piece of china with materials such as bubble wrap, coffee filters, foam, or even spare dishtowels. For added protection, create structure between items using a layer of cardboard or cardboard strips. Stacks should never overlap. Pro Tips: Padded mailers work great for shipping china. Save up your mailers in preparation for sending your china to be upcycled.
Eco Tip: Padded mailers work great for shipping china. Save up your mailers in preparation for sending your china to be upcycled. Click for other eco conscious and economical shipping tips using materials you probably have lying around the house!
2. Tightly Bundle Stacks Together
Bundle a stack of same or similar-size china using tape, cling wrap, or by putting the stack into a plastic bag and tying it up tightly. The goal is to reduce any opportunity for shifting/movement in transit.
3. Protect Delicate Handles (& Consider Double Boxing)
Add extra padding or reinforcement around delicate teacup handles or other protrusions. If you’re packing and shipping a larger quantity of items, consider using smaller boxes within your larger box to add structure and create separation between stacks or objects.
4. Add Cushion & Structure & Fill Any Empty Space
Add a thick layer of padding on the bottom of the box before adding your stacks or pieces of china. Create a dense nest around each piece so it’s surrounded. We recommend having at least 1 inch of padding between your china and any side of the box. If you are shipping many pieces of china inside a larger box, separate the stacks with extra cushion.
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Use soft and dense materials like packing peanuts or newspaper to fill the empty spaces between your well-protected pieces. Fill the box until you've reached the top.
5. ***THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP***
Do a SHAKE TEST
Before taping up your box, close the flaps of the box without sealing it and give the box a good SHAKE. If you hear anything move around at all, open it back up and add more "void fill" before sealing up the package. .6. Add a Fragile Label
While you should never rely on it, a fragile label certainly can’t hurt. No label? Use a permanent marker to write FRAGILE on the top and sides in bold.
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