Handmade Soap Packaging Guide (for Selling Online)

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Handmade soap has gained a TON of popularity in recent years, and this packaging guide will give you ideas on how to present YOURS to make an unforgettable impression on your customers!

When selling in person or at a boutique, artisan soap is usually left unpackaged so that it can be smelled and handled a bit. When selling online, however, soap is generally packaged to prevent damage during shipping or for gifting reasons.

Get ready to take some notes on packaging and unboxing ideas that will make your soap business stand out from the rest!

This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.

Handmade Soap Target Market

Before we approach any packaging ideas, make sure you have a strong understanding of your target market to guide your business branding decisions.

Putting the time into really nailing down your target market will help you make solid decisions in every single aspect of your soap and its packaging:

• The type of soap bars you create
• The type of container you choose
• Your handmade soap label designs
• The outer packaging and included promo for a memorable unboxing experience

I urge you not to skip this step.

Knowing your target market is not just key for deciding your handmade soap packaging, but for the entire foundation of your overall business and ongoing success.

Handmade Soap Recipes to Make and Sell Online

Once you have your target market fully mapped out, you need to decide which types of soap they will be the most inclined to purchase.

There are several directions you can go with your product ideas:

• All-natural bars that are scented with essential oils and colored only with clays and ground plant materials
• Brightly colored bars scented with fragrance oils
• Function-specific bars, such as shaving soap, gardeners soap, and shampoo bars

If you aren’t sure which type(s) of soap is right for your product line, ask your audience (if you already have a following on a social network) or friends and family (if they are representative of your target market).

While I’m not a die-hard soaper like some of you reading this article, I did my fair share of cold process soaping (this was before I couldn’t handle the thought of my babies and lye in the house at the same time, ha)!

Types of Handmade Soap Containers

After deciding which type of soap(s) you will be adding to your skin care line, the first visual branding decision you need to make is the type of container to package it in (if any).

Consider the following details and your customer avatar before settling on any of your packaging:

• Is your soap usually a personal purchase or a gift idea?
• Will they be storing it before use?
• Do you have details like dried botanicals on top that need to be protected during shipping?
• Will you be including extras (such as a wooden soap tray or a shaving brush)?
• What final price point would your customer be comfortable with?
• Does your target market have a preference (or aversion) to specific materials?

Handmade Soap Boxes

Soap boxes are a very standard way to package rectangular, 4-ounce soaps.

These come in a wide variety of colors and styles with great bulk pricing. Before you fall in love with one idea, think about how you’re planning on labeling your soap, as some of the exteriors would be tricky to apply a sticker label to.

Boxless Handmade Soap Packaging

If you want to think outside the box, there are tons of ways you can package your handmade soap while still keeping it protected during shipment to your customer.

Labeling Your Handmade Soap to Sell

Handmade Soap Labeling Requirements (for Selling Online)

Selling handmade soap online versus in person may have different labeling requirements depending on your location.

For some sellers, a manufacturing address and contact information are required to appear on the label when selling your products in a retail shop or in-person event, such as a farmers market or craft fair.

When selling online, a website URL may take the place of this information, assuming that ‘said website’ has an address and contact information available.

Other labeling requirements vary based on location and government regulations; this information is your responsibility to research and comply with.

Makers in the United States can refer to the FDA Cosmetics Labeling Guide.

Marie Gale also has an easy-to-follow book called Soap and Cosmetic Labeling (How to Follow the Rules and Regs Explained in Plain English).

Handmade Soap Label Design

After you’re comfortable with the rules and regulations for your location, you can take the next step and move on to designing your soap labels!

If you haven’t already decided on visual branding details for your skin care business (based on your target market, of course), take the time to make some consistent rules for yourself before you start designing:

• Color Palette Guide for Skin Care Businesses
• How to Choose the Right Fonts for Your Skin Care Business

Once you have your business color palette, fonts, and how/when you will use each, the most approachable online graphic design tool is Canva (which is currently free to use for the basic elements).

You can also get a month of Canva Pro free here to access the entire library of images, the resize feature, and background remover.

Handmade Soap Label Templates

If you aren’t interested in designing labels on your own, you have plenty of options for assistance.

• For completely ‘hands-off’ label design, consider freelance design services from Fiverr.

• Another option is using handmade soap label templates, available individually and in bundles.

The use of label templates isn’t just for beginners – they save tons of time for even the most seasoned entrepreneurs by avoiding that ‘blank canvas syndrome’.

Templates give you a headstart to design with the right to edit different areas: colors, fonts, placements, graphic imports, etc.

Here is an example of a gridded small batch soap bar label template that kept the original design closely intact but changed the color palette and fonts:

Individual Soap Box Templates

Bundled Skin Care Label Templates

Handmade Soap Unboxing Ideas

One of the BEST parts of selling online is the opportunity to provide an ‘unboxing experience.’

This is the difference between customers leaving a review or not, recommending your soap and entire product line to a friend or family member, and even sharing your products on their social media handles.

This is your chance to bring it home and remind your customers why they shop small to begin with – let your love for your business show through in these tiny (but oh-so-impactful) details!

Get Feedback on Your Handmade Soap Packaging

Wanting to know how you can improve your handmade soap packaging?

Needing feedback on a label design or unboxing choice before purchasing?

Looking for help generating ideas for a unique target market?

Ask for input and share feedback in our private Facebook group, DIY Skin Biz Community – connect with other makers in our industry!

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