One of the concerns of homemade-soap makers is the packaging. There are plenty of materials to consider: cardstock, plastic, cloth, etc. But just as soaps are created differently, some materials are better for product presentation than others. Stretch film is a popular wrapping material among soap startups. With the right technique, it can make your product look very enticing. In this article, we talk about the advantages of wrapping soap in stretch film. We also share some packaging techniques that will let you maximize protection while making the product look fiery on retail shelves. But first, we need to talk about the factors that will help you find the right packaging material for your soap. CONTENT What Factors Should You Consider When Looking for Your Soap Wrapping Material? Why Should You Use Stretch Film to Wrap Your Soap? How Should You Stretch-Wrap Soap? What Factors Should You Consider When Looking for Your Soap Wrapping Material? This is an important question to ask if you’re venturing into the soap business for the first time. Your soap packaging is important because: It will help protect your product. Soap may not break like glass, but chipped-off edges and contaminating odors can ward off potential buyers. It will let your product stand out. This is important if your soap has the same appearance as another. It will help you promote your brand. Good product presentation emanates professionalism and attention to detail. It will create good impressions that will keep customers buying more. There are many other reasons for being particular about your soap packaging. So ponder on the following questions to determine the best packaging material for your soap: 1. What Soapmaking Process Do You Use? The most commonly used soapmaking methods are hot processing, cold processing and melt-and-pour. Hot and cold methods start with lye and oils as ingredients. As their names imply, these methods differ by their processing temperatures. Soapmakers may include colors, scents and other additives as they mix the two basic components. Both methods yield soap with a lot of retained water, which will slowly vaporize as the product cures. If you have to wrap hot- and cold-processed soaps right away, you’d be better off using porous material like paper and muslin. They will let the water vapor out without ruining your product’s appearance. If you have only plastic wrap in stock, hold on to it until 4-6 weeks later so it does not trap the water vapor and cause “sweating.” Melt-and-pour soaps have a ready-made soap base, usually made of glycerin. Melting the soap base lets you add colorants and other additives. It also lets you create soaps of different shapes. These soaps do not have much water in them when they harden. So you can wrap them immediately in plastic. 2. Does Your Soap Have a Complicated Design? Some soapmakers make intricate designs, which are the focus of the product presentation. These soaps must be wrapped in transparent packaging, or customers will not appreciate their beauty. Learn More: Buy Stretch Wrapping Film for your shipping and packaging needs! Buy our Bubble Cushioning Wrap for superior packaging and damage protection. Shop wholesale for more discounts on newsprint packing paper roll at enKo Products. Shrink-wrapping is one way of packaging these products. Here, you wrap the soap in the appropriate plastic type and heat it with a blower, heat-shrink gun or other heating equipment. The plastic shrinks around the soap, tightening up in the process. The material is usually made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyolefin, polypropylene and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Shrink wrap typically has a high-gloss finish. An alternative to shrink-wrapping is stretch-wrapping. Here, you wrap the plastic around the soap and stretch it around the edges. You do not need another tool except for your good old cutter. Stretch film can be hazy or glossy. It is typically made of stretchable polyethylene, i. e. linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). 3. Do You Plan to Ship Your Soap Remotely? Some soapmakers choose to sell only in their neighborhoods, making thin paper and cloth acceptable for wrapping their products. But what if you plan to sell to customers out-of-state? You will then need much more durable packaging for your merchandise. One alternative is cardstock, the material for boxes. To ship boxed soaps, you will need a sturdy outer box to protect the smaller, inner ones. Before putting in the small boxes, line the outer box’s interior first with 2-3 inches of newsprint paper or bubble wrap on all sides. If you’re shipping soaps in batches, you may need to stretch-wrap entire stacks for stability. Another durable alternative is cellophane. It is a naturally-derived plastic that can give better protection than paper. You can protect set orders using cellophane as the inner wrapping and a big box as the outer packaging. Again, it would help to line the interior with newsprint paper or bubble wrap. Shrink wrap and stretch film are also good options. Both can withstand harsher conditions than biodegradable cellophane. You can use them for wrapping individual soaps and stabilizing soap stacks. If you plan to sell to distant places, packaging for shipping and creating good unboxing experiences are skills you should master. You wouldn’t want your customers disappointed when they find their orders deformed or broken on arrival. Bubble Cushioning Wrap – 12" x 36 ftwith 20 Fragile Labels SHOP NOW Newsprint Packing Paper - 8.5" x 11"[500 Sheets] SHOP NOW 4. Is the Wrapping Material Sustainable? You should always consider going green as part of your soap marketing strategy. Modern buyers are conscious of what they put on their bodies, so they are big on eco-friendly products. Besides that, caring for the environment also protects your facility in the long run. Green products must be wrapped in sustainable packaging. Local sellers prefer paper, cloth and cellophane. But these materials may not hold up during long, bumpy journeys or after extended storage. Your best option, in this case, is a plastic material that is recyclable and meets the government’s safety standards. Polyethylene and polypropylene are examples. Again, your soap packaging is essential for making your product stand out in retail stores. The sooner you figure out your packaging strategy, the sooner you can market your soap. Why Should You Use Stretch Film to Wrap Your Soap? Stretch-wrapping soap is a method recommended by many soapmaking experts. Here’s why: Durable Allows You to Showcase Soap Design Does Not Require Extra Tools Won’t Give Your Soap a Plastic Smell Environmentally Friendly Option Affordable 1. Stretch Wrap Is Durable Soap easily gets damaged when left bare or placed inside the wrong packaging material. It will not hold up long when customers pick it up repeatedly to smell or examine it, and neither will it endure long-distance transport. Unlike paper and cloth, stretch wrap does not puncture or break easily. It can protect your soap from rough handling and during shipment. Unlike bioplastics, it does not degrade easily when left exposed to air. With stretch wrap, you can keep your product in storage for years and retain its original quality. 2. Stretch Wrap Allows You to Showcase Your Soap Design Most consumers base their purchasing decisions on visual appeal. Stretch wrap is transparent, making it perfect for wrapping intricately-designed soaps. The clear film will not distort your product’s colors, which are vital to aesthetics. Meanwhile, for soaps with simpler designs, stretch wrap allows customers to examine the contents more closely. They may want to look for hints of inferior quality, counterfeiting, etc. Meticulous buyers highly appreciate stretch wrap’s transparency. Compared to shrink-wrapping, stretch-wrapping will not distort the edges of your soap, which heating can do. The heat can also trigger sweating, which can reduce your product’s shelf appeal. 3. Stretch Wrapping Does Not Require Extra Tools Compared to shrink-wrapping, stretch wrapping is more cost-effective. It does not require extra equipment or electricity. The cling of stretch wrap makes it easy to maneuver and seal even without additional tools. 4. Stretch Wrap Won’t Give Your Soap a Plastic Smell When you use shrink wrap, the plastic gives off a distinct smell on heating. The odor can rub off on the soap, mask the product’s original scent and turn off sensitive customers. By comparison, stretch wrap will not leave your soap smelling funny when customers reach for it. 5. Stretch Wrap is an Environmentally Friendly Option When you need durable packaging for your soap, stretch wrap is one of your most eco-friendly options. Stretch wrap does not require electricity, so its carbon footprint is less than that of shrink film. It is lightweight, so it is easy to ship. This also lessens its carbon footprint. Stretch wrap is safe to recycle, unlike plastics like PVC. Stretch wrap does not leach harmful chemicals on your soap’s surface. In contrast, heating PVC-made shrink wrap can loosen up vinyl chloride particles, which are toxic. Vinyl chloride is included in the Prop 65 list for its cancer risk. So if you’re looking for a win-win solution for your out-of-state customers, stretch wrap is your best bet. 6. Stretch Wrap Is Affordable Micro-business owners depend on cling wrap sold in large retail stores. That kind of film breaks easily when stretched and is expensive in the long run. A good alternative is enKo Products’ hand stretch wrap, which is thicker and more affordable. You may use it for packaging individual soaps or securing large stacks. So when you think about it, stretch wrap is a superior option for packaging soap. You must consider it when you make your next batch. Get High-Quality Stretch Film Wrap at 10% OFF! 18″ Hand Stretch Film Wrap SHOP NOW 5″ Mini Roll Stretch Film Wrap SHOP NOW How Should You Stretch-Wrap Soap? Here are the steps to stretch-wrapping soap neatly and securely: If you’re using thin stretch film, trim it with a size three times the widest side of your soap. If the plastic is thick, cut only a small piece–about twice the widest side of your soap–and pre-stretch it before using. If your soap has a complex design, put it on a flat surface face up. Put the stretch wrap on top of it, making sure that the soap is at the center. If the soap is flat, it is easier to put it face down on top and at the center of the plastic. Stretch the film evenly around the soap and pull its edges under the bottom surface. You may trim any excess plastic but do so cleanly on all corners. Pull the film’s edges together, twisting to create a seal. The tacky surface will keep it closed. Use your professionally-designed enKo Products sheet label to secure the seal. It’s that simple. Now get ready to wow your customers with your soap! Conclusion In summary, you may consider various materials for soap packaging. But after examining the different factors impacting product presentation, you will find that stretch wrap is one of your best options. Stretch wrap has the following advantages: Durability Transparency Cost-effectiveness Eco-friendliness Affordability And it will not leave a plastic smell on your soap. Lastly, we showed a quick guide for stretch-wrapping and labeling your soap. With these tips, you can impress your customers and expect good returns on your investment. 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