We’ve all heard that “presentation is everything” and when you’re a cottage baker, it is SO IMPORTANT! Home bakeries are in a unique position to set themselves apart, show how professional their businesses are while showcasing their amazing goods. Today I’m sharing all my top picks to elevate your cookie packaging to ensure it makes a great first impression. After all, if you’ve spent hours creating these beautiful works of art, PLEASE take the time to package them accordingly to WOW your customers!
How Much to Spend on Packaging?
You don’t have to spend a lot to have professional, quality packaging. I will tell you I strive for a healthy balance of beautiful packaging without breaking the bank. I’m naturally very fiscally conservative and this transfers to my customer’s perspective. Pricing is a HUGE component of being a successful cottage baker. You are running a business and have to make smart decisions regarding every dollar you spend. I do everything I can to keep prices fair and competitive for my customers while paying myself fairly. If I can present my goods beautifully with a very small margin going to packaging, I’ve done my job well. My customers don’t want to pay for packaging, and I want to respect the money they are spending.
You will find bakers at both ends of the spectrum on this. Some don’t want to spend hardly any money on packaging, but it shows in the presentation and will ultimately cost you sales. When customers purchase food items, they need to look professional and sanitary. If your packaging is lacking in these areas, it will be a turn-off. Do yourself a favor and spend a realistic amount to showcase your talent. The recommendations I’m sharing for cookie packaging today will hit the mark for presentation while letting you keep your hard-earned profit.
Other bakers really want that high-end feel and spend BIG bucks on their packaging. I’m talking custom-made, colored, embossed boxes, tissue paper, giant ribbons and more. Now, I firmly believe in “to each their own” and if high-end packaging is what you love, live it up! You just have to remember that someone is paying for your packaging – you or your customers. If you choose to spend a lot on packaging, your profit margins will be lower, or you need to increase your prices, which may deter sales. But maybe your business is the sweet spot with affluent clientele willing to consistently pay the higher prices for what they see as a higher-end product. In which case, rock on with your fancy self!
Cookie Packaging Recommendations
Every business has to decide what packaging is best for their business, their customers and their bottom line. Here are some of my FAVORITE go-to packaging products!
Individual Cookie Bags
We individually package almost ALL of our cookies. Especially in the last couple years of Covid, individually packaged products ensure the best level of cleanliness and freshness.
If you are just starting your business or prefer self-sealing bags, these are my favorite self-sealing bags. We’ve literally used thousands of these and have tried many different brands but always come back to these. I love the 1.4 mil thickness; we’ve had other brands that are thinner, and they stick to your icing. BOO. We always keep these two sizes in stock, but this company has a long list of other sizes for unique needs.
- 4 x 6 Cookie Bags – for cookies 3″ or smaller
- 5 x 7 Cookie Bags – for cookies 3.5″ and larger
Now if you want the ultimate in freshness for your cookies, I definitely recommend heat sealing. It’s easy, quick and does keep your cookies softer for longer compared to self-sealing bags which are not airtight. Here is the heat sealer we have, which is undoubtably the most popular among cookiers, along with recommended bags.
- Heat Sealer – a cookier fave!
- 4 x 6 Cookie Bags
- 5 x 7 Cookie Bags
Boxes
I think cookies present beautifully in a bakery box with a window. These are my favorites that we always keep in stock!
- 12 x 5.5 x 2.5 White Cookie Box – these are perfect when packaging a few large cookies or up to a dozen average-sized cookies. These are also perfect for a dozen cake pops! We commonly add some paper shred for nice presentation.
- 12 x 12 x 3 White Cookie Box – there aren’t enough words to convey how much I LOVE these boxes. Seriously, they are such high-quality in look and feel. We use these when packaging cookie platters and they showcase beautifully.
- 8 x 8 x 2.5 White Cookie Box – when you’re looking for a square box, these are perfect!
- 8 x 6 x 2.5 White Cookie Box – a favorite among cookiers!
- 6 x 6 x 3 White Cookie Box – we don’t use boxes this small very often, but they are beautiful when you’re looking for a smaller size!
I do want to add that BRP Box Shop is also a VERY popular source for cookie boxes and packaging! They have a TON of different configurations, colors, styles, anything you can think of! They also always have free shipping to the lower 48 states, which is a huge perk! Admittedly, I’ve never purchased boxes from BRP, but I know other cookiers love them. I have always found what I was looking for elsewhere for a better price, but I do think they have good deals depending on what you are looking for. I also find their site a bit overwhelming because there are just SO many options! But if you’re looking for something unique, I recommend it!
Cookie Packaging Accessories
Grease Resistant Cookie Cards (backers): Many Cookiers like these cookie backers, especially if they are individually bagging cookies that won’t be put into a box. These grease free cookie cards provide structure to your bag and keep the cookies in place. Many cookiers buy the 12 x 12′ size and cut to size as needed.
Paper Shred: A commonly used filler that can add up in price if you’re not shopping around! Many cookiers stop at Dollar Tree for their range of colors and cheap price. It’s an easy option if you’re not using a lot of paper shred. But if you’re using a large volume, Dollar Tree is not going to be your most cost-effective option. At $1.25 for 1.8oz, that makes 10lbs of paper shred from Dollar Tree $111.25 plus tax. At Staples, you can get 10lbs of white or Kraft brown paper shred for $51 (at the time of this writing). That’s $60 to keep in your bank account!
Ribbon or Stretch Loops: These add a pretty, finished touch to your packaging and you can pick up ribbon or stretch loops for cheap at Walmart, Amazon, ClearBags.com and others.
Labeling: Don’t forget about cute labeling, not only to stay in compliance with Cottage Laws, but to promote your business. You can design cute tags on Canva and we have also designed cute labels on Avery.com and then print them ourselves. There is also an endless amount of adorable designs on Etsy!
Cookie Packaging Goals
I can’t underscore this enough; if you are running a business, you need to take the time to find the best deals on your packaging! It can make the difference of hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year. And even more importantly, it represents you and your business!
I hope this post all about cookie packaging is helpful! This is another chance to show your personality and signature style!
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