Several readers ask me every week how to package decals they made on their Silhouette or Cricut for shipping to customers. Today, I’ll show you how I package them.
Two Ways to Package Decals for Shipping
Method 1 – Put the decal in an envelope and put a stamp on it.
- Pros – This is cheap and you can offer free shipping.
- Cons – You can’t have tracking on the package. In the event that the package is lost or damaged, you will need to replace the decal at your expense.
Method 2 – A better solution to packaging decals for shipping is to use a non-bendable photo mailer and cardboard inserts.
- Pros – This is a more professional presentation to your customer.
- Cons – This method is slightly more expensive.
Things to Remember When Shipping Decals
- Be sure to put instructions in your package. If you’d like my free unbranded car decal application instructions, visit this post. Free unbranded wall decal application instructions are in this post.
- Larger decals should be shipped in a mailing tube.
- Always include a business card.
- Transfer tape or paper should already be applied.
- Layered decals should be assembled before shipping.
- Including an applicator is a good idea. For cheap applicators, a popsicle stick works.
- Consider sending a prepackaged alcohol wipe with your decal for the customer to clean the surface before application.
- You could make a “Do Not Bend” stamp with your Silhouette Mint to stamp on the outside of the package.
How do you package your decals for shipping? Let me know in the comments. Don’t forget to pin this post on Pinterest:
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I love the idea about creating a Mint stamp and using it as part of your packaging! One issue I seem to have when giving decal as gifts is that the transfer paper applied over the decal as you suggest always peels away from the backing. I end up taping the edges down (which looks so unprofessional) and quickly shoving it in an envelope. I’ve tried Silhouette transfer paper and a few varieties from Expressions Vinyl all with the same results. Have you used any brands that don’t peel when placed over the decal?
Hi Jamie! I haven’t really experienced that, but I cut the backing on the decal close to the decal itself. I use this transfer paper. Christine
I have been shipping large and small decals for 3+ years. Try a high tack, lay flat transfer tape. My favorite is R-Tape AT75, and you can purchase that at USCutter and the Sign Warehouse. I have tried every transfer tape there is, and this kind is the best. No wrinkles, stays flat, easy to work with, and works perfectly.
Thanks for sharing! I prefer not to use AT75 for customer applied decals.
Why do you prefer not to use AT75 for customer decals? Also, I looked up the transfer paper you use and noticed it’s a kraft paper color. Are you able to see through it?
Thanks!
In my opinion, most of the clear transfer papers are too sticky for inexperienced users to apply. Plus, even with instructions, many they leave the transfer tape on the decal. The transfer paper is like a huge roll of masking tape. You can slightly see through it.
Christine,
Do you use a transfer tape and a transfer paper? I am so confused. I cut my decal, weeded it and have played the tape over it to lift it up, now what do I put it on? How do I deliver it to a client? Parchment paper?
Thanks
Wendy K
You’d leave it on the paper backing that it comes on.
I’m confused by your answer. When you cut out a vinyl transfer it is already on the sticky paper, you are just weeding out the design. Once you weed out the design if you have more then one deisgn how would you ship them. Put a piece of parchment paper or tissue paper in between. I am trying to ship 10
Correct. You’d weed the design, apply transfer tape, and ship. You can stack them without anything in the middle.
Thanks! I usually leave a square around it. I will try cutting it close next time.
Awesome! Good luck!
Can I please ask why you suggest that the transfer paper be applied before postage?
Hello! You should not expect that your customer has the ability to apply transfer tape. You should make it as easy as possible for your customer to apply their decal by having it ready to go.
Hi Christine,
Thank you so much for this post. As always they are really informative & helpful! …What’s your take on shipping iron-on decals? … I haven’t shipped any yet but have made several for local customers. I’ve used wax paper but am not pleased with the residue that it leaves. Any suggestions?
Courtney
My pleasure! Swap out the wax paper for parchment paper. Parchment paper uses a silicone coating; while wax paper uses a soft wax. Hope that helps!
If you have a minute to answer this it would be greatly appreciated. I am currently working with a business and they are wanting decals made. I am having a hard time finding a way to package and them still be able to see the decal. If you have any suggestion it would be greatly appreciated.
PS: I LOVE THIS WEBSITE!!!!
Hi Michalea! I always answer all comments. 🙂 See this post for ideas – you can see my decal is packaged in a plastic bag with a topper. https://cuttingforbusiness.com/2015/07/09/easy-and-cheap-packaging-ideas-for-your-silhouette-cameo-products/
I use clear sleeves that seal to package my decals. Then my “business card” is more like a postcard with directions on the back, and a “thank you” and services I offer on the front!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi. Do you have any advice for Iron on decals? I plan to use Siser Easyweed for my cuts to sell, but what do I use to cover the sticky surface before shipping after I weed the cut?
Would parchment paper work?
Yes, it will. Read more information in this post: https://cuttingforbusiness.com/2016/07/13/free-printable-heat-transfer-vinyl-application-instructions/
I packaged all of my small decals in a notecard. It’s large enough for a trackable postage label and inserts such as instructions and an applicator. I sometimes will write a personal note. You can purchase the cards in bulk from Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. A very economical solution with a personal touch.
Thanks for sharing, Sherra!
Hi,
I found your post online while I was looking for packaging ideas. This might be a little off topic but I am printing and cutting motocross decals. They are thick laminated decal pieces that get shipped off to the customer and they apply the pieces to their bike. I have been cutting the pieces, weeding the excess material, rolling it up (30″ sheet) and shipping it off in a tube. The problem is when the customer unrolls the sheet the pieces are curled and are lifted off the backing paper. Is there any other method you would be aware of such as heat shrinking to cardboard and putting it in a mailer? I just don’t really know where to start with heat shrink.
Thanks for any feedback!
Hello! Two things come to mind: 1) Could you sandwich them between two rigid pieces of cardboard and ship flat? Or, 2) Could you use a bigger roll so that they weren’t rolled as tight?
Hi, Christine! Question: what are the differences between paper tape and clear transfer tape? I have actually been using clear contact paper for personal applications, and it works wonderfully. I just don’t know how it would hold up if I were to actually ship any decals, providing that as the transfer material.
It’s a personal preference. I prefer to ship with paper tape, because it is more obvious that the customer should remove it. It also comes off easier than plastic based tapes.
It is hot hot hot around my area and I am shipping large rolled vinyl south. Does heat ever damage a vinyl decal?
I’ve never heard this for a decal being mailed. I do know that prolonged exposure to heat will warp/damage vinyl.
I’m wondering the same thing. I mailed vinyl decals to a friend in LA. When she applied them, it left a sticky residue on top. I used silhouette brand transfer tape. I’m wondering what could have happened or if it was the heat. I’ve never had this problem myself.
I don’t use Silhouette brand transfer tape because I find it gooey to start with.
Hi Christine,
Is cont-tact paper ok to use?
I usually don’t recommend it. Contact paper is harder to transfer vinyl. It’s great for personal use, but that is about it.
How do you make a layered htv decal for a client without actually ironing it onto the shirt?
Layered HTV vinyl isn’t really good for mailing because they can’t be layered ahead of time. It’s a pretty big expectation for the customer to apply properly.
Crazy question but is their a card that I could put 651 sticky decal vinyl on… ok my dancing logo is 2 different color pieces so I’m wondering if I can put it on a card together and add the transfer tape and it’s done? I hope I made any sense. Sorry
You can just use the backing that comes with one of the layers and assemble the layered decal, then put transfer tape on it.
Hi Christine. Thank you so much for all of your informative posts. I purchased the Greenstar transfer tape you recommended for placing over customer decals, and I was surprised to find that it’s not see-through. Do customers have a problem with not being able to see their decal when they receive it? How can they tell what the orientation of the decal is in order to know where to place it? These may be silly questions, but I’m just making sure I got the right kind and would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thank you! 🙂
It definitely clear enough to see the orientation of the decal through it when it is applied. Yes, since it isn’t clear, customers are likely to realize they need to take it off – rather than leave it on. 🙂
Ok great! Thank you so much.
Thanks for all of your advice. I’m curious how you’d prepare a two color label for a client? Would you send the label with two pieces of transfer paper over it (to get the pieces together on one backing paper)? Thanks for any input.
Hello! No, you’d assemble the decal first on one backing paper, then place one piece of transfer tape over it and package it. You should strive to make it as easy as possible for your customer.
But how do you do that? I’m making the drink your effin water decal for someone and mailing it. The words are close together and different colors so in order to put them together to make it easier for the customers I have to put it on transfer paper take the backing off 1 color then lay the next color on the transfer paper etc.. so what do I put over the transfer paper once it’s all put together? Hope this makes sense
Correct. To ‘build’ the decal you’d layer from the bottom layer up. Then, cover it with transfer tape and mail it.
Hi there! I love this article, great information.
I was wondering what transfer tape you recommend for the shipping of decals? It may have been mentioned above and I may have just missed your recommendation.
Thanks so much,
Jenna
I use Greenstar transfer tape, but not everyone likes it. Others prefer a clear.
WOW! Thank you for this very helpful information! You answered many questions I was looking for answers to! Brenda
So happy to be able to help!
Do you burnish the decal to the transfer tape before sending to customers or is that left to the customer to do?
You’d do it.
Hello Christine,
I am designing some custom vinyl decals for a good cause. I might not distribute or ship them myself, so I will have to make them in advance. I have never kept vinyl decals longer then a couple of days before using them. How long can a vinyl decal survive before using it? I have flat strong cardboard envelops and plan to just weed the designs, put on high tack see through transfer tape, cut them out in a square shape, put them in the envelops and hand them over to the organisation. How long can they keep them before sending them? And will they still stick?
Kind regards,
Suzanne ( All the way from Belgium)
I’ve kept mine on transfer tape for months and months and never had an issue.
I’ve been selling decals online for a few months now. Shipping with USPS with no tracking so I can offer free shipping. I had a customer message me today that they haven’t received their order. Of course I told them I would remake it but I want to send it qith teacking this time so I know it gets there. Also considering switching to shipping with tracking in general. Do you know what the most economical way to ship with tracking is? When I tried doing it with tracking in the beginning it was $5-7 to ship with tracking through USPS. There must be a cheaper way to ship a decal with tracking!
A decal should ship for $2 to $4 using First Class Mail through the USPS.