How to ship clothes and shoes

Clothing, along with electronics, was the undisputed protagonist of Italians’ online preferences in 2021 and trainers remain the second most desired category of the year. (Idealo e-commerce report 2021)

This positive trend had already started in 2020 when the online clothing market recorded a 22% increase compared to 2019, rising from 3.3 to 3.9 billion euros, as shown by a research by the Politecnico di Milano. What does all this mean? That in an ever-expanding market with increasing competition, it is increasingly important to differentiate and stand out. One of the ways to do this is through packaging.

Do you have a company that produces luxury shoes and need to ship them safely to your customers? Do you have a branded clothing e-commerce business and are looking for the best solutions for shipping your garments? Do you have clothes in your wardrobe that you no longer use and would like to resell them on apps or sites that give your wardrobe a second life? In this guide from RAJA you will find all the useful information and the perfect packaging materials for your needs.

Boxes and envelopes for clothing and shoes

Our aim is to help you disentangle the different types of packaging that exist (boxes, wrapping paper, envelopes, etc.) and compose your package as safely and easily as possible.

Remember that the choice of packaging should be made primarily on the basis of the type of item to be sent. Each product has its own packaging. By choosing the right one, you save time, avoid over-packaging and, consequently, reduce waste.

There is another aspect that you must take into account when shipping shoes and clothing: possible break-in attempts during transport.

When calculating the costs of securing your shipments, you must first take into account the value of the goods but also the break-in rates. For traders and distributors these can be very important indicators! Furthermore, you must never forget that theft hides additional costs: in addition to having lost your goods, you will have to bear the costs of a new shipment. But the biggest bill will surely be presented to you by the customer with his dissatisfaction or negative review!

How to pack clothes for shipping

The most unpleasant and annoying thing for a customer anxiously awaiting the arrival of the purchased item is to see it arrive damaged, packed with little care or, even worse, not to see it arrive at all because it was stolen or tampered with during transport. How to make shipping safer and ensure that the customer’s expectations are met when unwrapping the long-awaited purchase?

Carefully select the courier to whom you entrust the shipment. The product we are shipping has value for the person who bought it, but also for those who want to convey seriousness and attention to detail. This is why it is not only important to consider the cost, but also to assess an insurance policy that protects against theft or loss and that the delivery time is in line with that communicated on your e-commerce.
Choose the right packaging. Although clothes are not fragile products, and therefore at risk of breakage, it is good to remember that during transport they are exposed not only to shocks, but also to changes in temperature and humidity. For this reason, it is certainly advisable to opt for bags and envelopes specially designed for transport and suitable boxes:
- Variable height boxes: with one box model you can get up to 3 different heights. This way it is the box that adapts to the contents, allowing you to use less filler.
- Shipping boxes: success is assured with classic shipping boxes.
- Coloured mailing envelopes: these envelopes have a special iridescent effect. Lightweight and flexible, they adapt to your products.

- Shipping envelopesmade of 100% recycled plastic: high-performance yet environmentally friendly packaging

- Box with lid: elegant, environmentally friendly, durable and easy to open will impress your customers.

- Clothes cover envelopes in roll form: Practical and easy to use as they are delivered in pre-cut rolls, they are the ideal solution for protecting clothes from dust and external contaminants.

Choose the fillerthat best enhances your garments: If you are looking for a WOW effect for your customers, we recommend paying attention to the filler. Two green alternatives that will certainly not go unnoticed are Geami WrapPak paper or RAJA coloured tissue paper.

Safety precautions. When dealing with clothing products, all the more so if they are of prestigious brands, it is important to prepare shipments as safely as possible, in addition to securing the shipment with the courier. How do you do this? By using our advice on anti-theft systems, which we have discussed in detail in this article.

How to ship a pair of shoes

As anticipated, trainers remain among the most desired items by Italians and more and more are buying them online. But not only that, the positive trend concerns all footwear: sandals, boots, elegant shoes, made in Italy shoes, pumps…

To ship a pair of shoes correctly, you can choose from envelopes and boxes that allow you to protect and present your footwear in the best possible way.

Shipping envelope: light and space-saving allow you to save on shipping costs.
Shoe size appropriate box: how to find the most suitable box? Try our ‘Find your boxes‘ tool. Simply enter the measurements of your original shoe box or, if not available, the dimensions of your shoes and you will automatically get a list of boxes that can best fit your product.
Filling materials and protection: as in the case of clothing, also for shoes, using the right filling and protection material is essential to enhance and protect your products. If you send the original box of your shoes inside an envelope, you will not need it.

Don’t underestimate the importance of easy returns

One last tip that applies to both shoes and clothing? If you want to make your customer’s life easier, make their return easy! Choose easy return packaging, there are several types to choose from depending on the type of product being shipped.

Some examples:

Sack envelopes for shipping and return

Self-assembling one-wave cardboard box for shipping and returns

Padded paper envelope for shipping and return