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A reader recently emailed me asking if it is okay to reuse a shipping box (meaning a box that she received a product from another company in) to ship a product to her customer.
Can You Reuse Shipping Boxes in Your Craft Business?
You should have an ample supply of boxes on hand for your orders, but I know that every once in a while I have to ship a larger order or a larger product and might not have a box I need.
I think that it is okay to reuse boxes once in a while to ship items to customers. The recycled boxes should be in great condition and free from other branding. I am a member of Amazon Prime and I receive a lot of shipments in the mail. When reusing boxes, I remove any mention of the previous company – including Amazon’s branded tape. I then add a sticker that I created by doing a Print and Cut on my Silhouette Cameo that says, “This box has been recycled. Please consider reusing it.”
I’m happy to share my stickers with Cutting for Business readers!
Instructions for Free Printable Recycled Box Stickers
- Grab some Silhouette Printable White Sticker paper from Amazon.com.
- Download the free recycled box stickers file.
- Open the file in Silhouette Studio.
- Print the file.
- Load the printed sticker sheet onto your mat with the small black box in the upper left hand corner of your mat.
- Load your mat.
- Select the cut settings for “White Sticker Paper” (Blade: 2, Speed 8, Thickness:14) and cut them out.
Need more shipping help? Find it here.
Since 2015, Christine Schinagl has been helping crafters start and run craft businesses through her blog, Cutting for Business. As a Silhouette and Cricut crafter herself, she has a unique take on what works and what doesn’t work in the craft business world. She also enjoys teaching other crafters how to create digital SVG designs, available through the Design with Me series.
Linda
Thursday 15th of February 2018
When I reuse boxes, I turn them inside out and re-tape the sides. The logo of the company I received the box from disappears!
Christine
Tuesday 20th of February 2018
Thanks for sharing!
Kristin
Wednesday 25th of January 2017
Where do you like to order boxes from for the stash you regularly have on hand?
Christine
Thursday 26th of January 2017
I usually use Uline.
Lori
Sunday 16th of October 2016
Cute sticker. I always reuse boxes. There is enough rubbish in the world and I don't want to add anymore to it if I can!
Christine
Monday 17th of October 2016
I completely agree!
Maria
Tuesday 8th of September 2015
Hi, loved this sticker. Wanted to ask you, what's the best way to cover up the print on the cardboard boxes so we can reuse them to our customers?
Christine
Wednesday 9th of September 2015
Hi Maria! Glad you liked the Print and Cut sticker! I use a thick Sharpie marker and make a solid line through any markings on the box.