Ultimate Pottery Packaging Guide: Minimize Breakage & Ensure Safe Delivery

Updated at: 14/02/2025

The delicate nature of pottery demands meticulous care, especially when it comes to shipping. A chipped or broken piece can represent not only a financial loss but also the heartbreak of losing a handcrafted treasure. Whether you're a seasoned potter selling your creations online or a studio carefully sending pieces to a gallery, ensuring safe delivery is paramount. The wrong packaging can lead to costly replacements and dissatisfied customers, while the right approach safeguards your work and your reputation. Losing a sale due to breakage is a preventable loss, and the investment in proper packaging is minimal compared to the potential damage.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the packaging process, from selecting the right materials to implementing effective cushioning techniques. We'll cover everything you need to know to minimize breakage and ensure your pottery arrives at its destination in perfect condition, ready to be admired and enjoyed. Prepare to learn the ultimate strategies for protecting your precious creations during shipping and confidently send your work anywhere in the world.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
Safety Guidelines
  • Always use enough cushioning material (bubble wrap, packing peanuts, foam) to completely surround the pottery item, leaving no space for movement during transit.
  • Select a sturdy box that is significantly larger than the pottery piece. A box that's too small increases the risk of damage.
  • Clearly label the package as "Fragile" and "Handle with Care" on all sides to alert handlers to the delicate nature of the contents.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • Prepare packaging materials
    • Weigh and measure each box, recording information on the outside. Complete online order details and print labels.
    Final steps: Weigh and measure each box, recording information on the outside. Complete online order details and print labels.Final steps: Weigh and measure each box, recording information on the outside. Complete online order details and print labels.
    Preparation

  2. Wrapping Individual Items

    • Layer foam around the pot, focusing on delicate areas (rim). Add another foam layer if needed, then wrap with bubble wrap. Ensure no pot is felt through the wrapping.
    • Wrap with additional foam layers, ensuring double protection of the handle.
    • Use thick folded foam under and around the bowl, focusing on rim and foot ring protection. Wrap in bubble wrap.
    • For small jars, pack with lid in place and added foam. For larger pieces, pack lid and body separately, filling voids with packing materials.
    Pack lidded forms: For small jars, pack with lid in place and added foam. For larger pieces, pack lid and body separately, filling voids with packing materials.Pack lidded forms: For small jars, pack with lid in place and added foam. For larger pieces, pack lid and body separately, filling voids with packing materials.Pack lidded forms: For small jars, pack with lid in place and added foam. For larger pieces, pack lid and body separately, filling voids with packing materials.Pack lidded forms: For small jars, pack with lid in place and added foam. For larger pieces, pack lid and body separately, filling voids with packing materials.
    Wrapping Individual Items

  3. Packing into Boxes

    • Place biodegradable chips at the bottom. Add business card. Position wrapped pot centrally, surrounded by more chips. Press down firmly to eliminate rattling.
    • Line boxes with extra cardboard for added strength, especially for long distances.
    • Stack bowls with foam between each, ensuring no rattling. Wrap the stack and pack centrally in a box.
    Pack multiple bowls: Stack bowls with foam between each, ensuring no rattling. Wrap the stack and pack centrally in a box.Pack multiple bowls: Stack bowls with foam between each, ensuring no rattling. Wrap the stack and pack centrally in a box.Pack multiple bowls: Stack bowls with foam between each, ensuring no rattling. Wrap the stack and pack centrally in a box.
    Packing into Boxes

  4. Securing and Labeling

    • Tape securely around the box, reinforcing edges and corners, especially for long-distance shipments.
    • Add labels and customs documentation
    • Pack mugs handle-to-handle to save space and potentially use a smaller box.
    • Weigh and measure each box, recording information on the outside. Complete online order details and print labels.
    Final steps: Weigh and measure each box, recording information on the outside. Complete online order details and print labels.Final steps: Weigh and measure each box, recording information on the outside. Complete online order details and print labels.Final steps: Weigh and measure each box, recording information on the outside. Complete online order details and print labels.Final steps: Weigh and measure each box, recording information on the outside. Complete online order details and print labels.
    Securing and Labeling

Read more: Upcycling Padded Envelopes: A Trash-to-Treasure Craft Project

Tips

  • Eliminate rattling: This is crucial for preventing breakage during transit. Pack tightly to prevent any movement.
  • Even wrapping: Ensure even distribution of packing materials to avoid thin spots that could expose delicate parts of the pottery.
  • Full boxes: Tightly packed boxes are much stronger and less prone to crushing.
  • Keep spares: Something will eventually break despite careful packing. Keep extra pieces on hand to replace damaged items.
  • Corner-to-corner wrapping: This technique uses less tape and concentrates wrapping material where needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Insufficient cushioning material

Reason: Inadequate packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or other cushioning can leave pottery vulnerable to impacts during transit, leading to chips, cracks, or breakage.
Solution: Use ample cushioning material to completely surround the pottery item, ensuring it's immobile within the box.

2. Improper box selection

Reason: Using a box that's too small or too large, or one made of flimsy cardboard, increases the risk of damage during shipping. A poorly fitting box allows the item to shift and collide with the sides.
Solution: Choose a sturdy box slightly larger than the pottery item, and use additional fillers to prevent movement.

FAQs

What's the best way to pack fragile pottery items?
Use multiple layers of cushioning materials like bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or air pillows. Ensure the item is snugly surrounded and won't shift during transit. Consider a sturdy box slightly larger than the item to allow for ample cushioning.
How can I prevent breakage during shipping?
Besides proper cushioning, choose a strong, double-walled cardboard box. Reinforce the box with extra tape, especially along the seams and edges. Clearly label the package as 'Fragile' and 'Handle with Care'. Consider using insurance for added protection in case of damage.