The Best Way to Ship: Clothes

So you have your own online clothing boutique. Revenue in the online apparel market is predicted to grow to $607 billion by the end of this year. It’s a great train to be aboard. But to get the most out of your profit margins, you need to make the most out of your shipping. In this blog, you’ll find the best way to ship your clothing so you can save money. And of course, keep your customers happy.

How to Package Clothes for Shipping

Knowing the best way to pack your clothes for shipping is crucial. It can save you a ton of money and make sure your items always arrive in good shape. Neither you or your buyers want damaged or wrinkled garments!

Packing your clothes well is also key to creating a great unboxing experience for your customers.

Follow the tips below to ace packing your clothing products. 👇

Packing single items for shipping - jeans and t-shirts

What shipping supplies will I need to ship a single item of clothing?

Generally, regular poly mailers are perfect for shipping single and small items of clothing. For example, a pair of jeans, or one t-shirt or hoodie.

Before you put it in your mailer, however, you’re going to need to pop your item in a garment bag. This will protect the clothing from rain and getting damaged. You could also use tissue paper.

You’ll also need tape and, of course, your shipping label!

How to pack a shirt, jumper or hoodie:

Step 1 - Place your garment face down. Fold the sleeves backwards and then, fold it lengthways 3 times.

Step 2 - Put your item in a garment bag or wrap it in tissue paper to protect it. Seal it with tape.

Step 3 - Pop your product into the poly mailer.

Step 4 - Add your shipping label.

How to pack a pair of pants or jeans:

Step 1 - Fold the pant legs so they lie on top of each other. After that, fold from the knees to the pockets. Then, fold them in half again.

Step 2 - Put the pants or jeans in a garment bag or wrap them in tissue for protection. Seal with tape.

Step 3 - Pop your product into the poly mailer.

Step 4 - Add your shipping label.

Packing multiple items - jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, or jackets

What shipping supplies will I need to ship multiple items of clothing?

If you're shipping multiple items to the same place, it’s best to use a cardboard box. Or a corrugated box if you’re shipping long distance.

You can also use padded mailers for shipping a few items of clothing. They’re sturdy enough and prevent wrinkling.

Whether you’re using a box or mailer, you’ll need to make sure it’s the right size.

If it’s too big, you’ll end up paying more than you need to ship your clothing. But if it’s too small, your products can wrinkle, or the box could burst in transit.

Again, you’ll need garment bags to seal each item. As well as packing tape and obviously, your shipping label!

How to pack multiple shirts, hoodies, or jackets:

Step 1 - Place your garment face down. Fold the sleeves backwards and then, fold it lengthways 3 times.

Step 2 - Put each item in a garment bag or wrap it in tissue paper to protect it. Seal it with tape.

Step 3 - Stack your shirts and place them in the box or mailer, making best use of the space. Be sure your packaging leaves a little room to stop wrinkling.

Step 4 - Seal the box or mailer with packing tape.

Step 5 - Add your shipping label.

How to pack multiple pairs of pants or jeans:

Step 1 - Fold the pant legs so they lie on top of each other. After that, fold from the knees to the pockets. Then, fold them in half again.

Step 2 - Put each pair of pants or jeans in a garment bag or wrap them in tissue for protection. Seal with tape.

Step 3 - Stack the jeans or pants and place them in a mailer or box, making best use of the space. Be sure your packaging leaves a little room to stop wrinkling.

Step 4 - Seal the box or mailer with packing tape.

Step 5 - Add your shipping label.

Packing delicate clothes for shipping

What shipping supplies will I need to ship delicate clothes?

If you’re shipping more delicate clothing, padded mailers are a must use. The material protects buttons and beadings from catching, and stops the fabric being damaged.

However, if you’re shipping a few delicate items, you may need a box.

In this case, you can add biodegradable packing peanuts to stop the clothes sliding around while in transit. It may add a little weight, but it’s better to be safe for clothing that’s more likely to get damaged.

Of course, whether you use a box or mailer, you’re going to need to use tissue paper to wrap delicate garments.

Oh, and make sure there’s a little breathing space in your box or mailer. You don’t want your clothes getting squished!

How to pack delicate clothing:

Step 1 - Put your clothing in the box or mailer. Be sure to wrap it with tissue paper.

Step 2 - Add any materials to cushion and protect the delicate clothing. E.g. biodegradable packing peanuts.

Step 3 - Add your shipping label.

Wait - where do I get my packaging supplies? 👉 You can actually get free shipping supplies from USPS or UPS. Another cheap option is PackagingSupplies.com. Or, if you’re an eco-warrior - check out our blog on where to find eco-friendly supplies.

What’s the Cheapest Way to Ship Clothes?

Items under 1lb

If you’re looking for a cheap way to ship clothes below 1lb, look no further than USPS First Class. This is usually best for sending single or light-weight items of clothing.

With USPS First Class Service, packages normally arrive within 2-5 business days. So it’s not super speedy. But for small sellers on a budget, it’s perfect. Plus, it offers tracking for small packages.

Items over 1lb

If you're shipping clothing that weighs over 1lb, services like USPS Priority Mail or UPS® Ground will be the cheapest choice. This will be the case when you’re shipping heavier clothes or multiple items.

That being said, UPS applies additional surcharges, as well as dimensional weight to each package. This means it can often be more costly than USPS Priority Mail for small packages.

However, Ship.com users can access up to 77% off UPS® Ground. So ultimately, by using Ship.com, UPS Ground could end up being the cheaper option. We’ll just leave that thought there… 😉

USPS Flat-Rate Shipping - when to use it and how

Sometimes, USPS flat-rate shipping can be the most affordable option for shipping clothes. For instance, when you're shipping heavier items like jeans.

Why? Because a single rate will be given on the size of the box rather than its weight. And the smaller the box, the lower the rate.

Flat-Rate shipping is also great to use if you’re shipping longer distances. Usually, the further away you ship from where you are, the higher the price. This is because of the USPS’s zone system.

But with flat-rate shipping, you’re offered a single rate regardless of distance. So, for sending clothing further afield, this can work out cheaper!

5 of the Best Ways to Save Money When Shipping Clothes

1. Use the smallest packaging you can

The smaller the package, the lower the shipping rate. You don’t want to just use any package you can find. If it’s not the right fit, you’ll basically be paying for air. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

2. Make sure you weigh your packages right

If you don’t weigh your packages properly, you’ll end up paying for weight you’re not using. So measure right and check it twice!

3. Don’t add lots of packaging and cushioning (unless you need to)

More packaging means more weight. More weight equals higher shipping costs. Only use extra packing materials if you’re shipping delicate clothing.

4. If it’s going to the same place, ship items in the same package

We’ve all done it. A customer orders 3 items and you ship them in 3 separate boxes. The problem is - that costs a lot. It’s also not great for the environment.

So, if you’re shipping a handful of clothing to the same address, ship it all in the same package. You’ll save tons on shipping costs. And you’ll save the planet along the way.

Need an easy way to combine multiple orders going to the same address? 👉 Ship.com’s batch order function allows you to quickly combine orders going to the same place and print one shipping label. Easy-peasy. 😀

5. Use a shipping platform and get BIG discounts on rates

Shipping software platforms have access to HUGE discounts with popular shipping carriers. So you can get the cheapest rates without having to search for them.

At Ship.com, users can access the highest USPS and UPS discounts around. That includes up to 77% off UPS Ground. If you’re looking for ways to ship clothes on the cheap, shipping software gives you a huge advantage.

Do I Need to get Additional Shipping Insurance if I’m Shipping Clothing?

If you’re shipping with UPS

With UPS, shipping insurance is included for packages with a declared value of up to $100. So if the total value of the clothing in your package is below $100, you won’t need to buy extra insurance. But if the cost of the items in a package is over $100, you will.

If you’re shipping with USPS

USPS Priority Mail also includes insurance for a declared value of up to $100. However, for USPS’s other services, you’ll need to buy insurance for each package. And if you use Priority Mail and your items are over $100 in value, you’ll need extra insurance.

Shipping often? Then it’s super important you understand shipping insurance! 👉 Check out our guide to shipping insurance here.

Conclusion - Shipping Clothes Well = Lots of Saved Money and Satisfied Customers

Knowing how to pack your clothes properly will save you money on each shipment. As will knowing the cheapest shipping options for the clothes you're sending. In the long run, this adds up to a lot of $ saved.

To add to that, you’ll have satisfied customers. Packing your items with care sets the foundation for a great unboxing experience. Plus, your buyers won’t have any nasty surprises like missing buttons or crinkled clothing!

Also, you won’t have to deal with damaged clothing and an unhappy customer. This way, you avoid the extra costs of replacing and resending your produ