pipemakersforum.com

How do you guys package the pipes you sell?

I know some people use pouches/bags and some use wooden boxes.

Do you make them yourselves or buy them? Currently hand stitching some drawstring pouches (PITA) and am looking for a better method for packaging pipes.

I make custom velvet pipe pouches. I hate doing it. Sewing velvet really stinks. But, they look really nice. A better way is to pay someone else to make them for you. There's a gal that makes leather pouches for a lot of the pros for somewhere aroung $10/pouch. I have her business card somewhere. I'll have to see if I can dig it up unless someone posts it first. I've seen her exhibit at many of the pipe shows.

I outsource the pipe sock making to my wife. She uses ultrasuede and 550 cord per my specifications.

KurtHuhn wrote:I outsource the pipe sock making to my wife. She uses ultrasuede and 550 cord per my specifications.

Funny you say that. My girlfriend just knitted me one. It actually came out really well and she said she would make them for me.

I use bubble wrap. It's a pipe fer chrissakes.

I like to use cheap packing peanuts from some third world country that shall remain nameless (it rhymes with "anada" and begins with a "C"). They add to the flavor

Andrew,
You forgot to tell them about the kitchen towel and twist ties. When I recieved my PITH from you I HAD to reuse your packaging and pass it along to the poor guy that "won" my pipe. Sorry if that was a trade secret.

fuchi_jeg wrote:Andrew,
You forgot to tell them about the kitchen towel and twist ties. When I recieved my PITH from you I HAD to reuse your packaging and pass it along to the poor guy that "won" my pipe. Sorry if that was a trade secret.

ALL MY SECRETS HAVE BEEN LAID BARE!!!

That "towel" as you call it was blessed by some guy who almost became a saint... almost. Apparently there was an incident involving seedy circus folk that took him out of the running. Anyway, none of that matters now. Fuchi spilled the beans.

You gotta admit, those twist ties were prrretty awesome. They were white. They matched the towel.

I'm not knocking anything. It just wasn't what I expected. That did t keep me from sending the same peanuts, towel, twist ties (which did match the towel. And peanuts ), and even the same box to the next guy. Saved me about $20 in packaging as well. I propose that we include this system as a must in the next PITH. Sure it will take 8 months to get to the last guy, but he will be ready to ship when his name comes up (next year). BTW did I tell you how much I enjoy the pipe ?

I know you're not knocking it... it was an amazing towel .

I must say that, as a consumer, if I were looking to commission a pipe by one of you fine artisans, my final decision would have little to do with the size of your sock. In fact, if the presentation were too fancy, I might try and negotiate a price without the fancy packaging.

That said, when it comes time to take delivery and having paid a very fair but nonetheless shocking amount of money, I would expect the protective covering provided to be consistent with the quality of care you exhibit in your pipework.

So leather, velour is great but pillowed satin is a little over the top. Canvas might work, burlap maybe, but bubble-wrap only in magenta with metal pipes. Consumers everywhere hope this has been helpful. No easter basket confetti . . . ever.

I sourced out some satin bags...then I Dye Sublimate my signature and pipe number on the bag. I use to print them in color....which looked like poo, now I leave them white with black printing. Cost.....about $1.25 each with printing.

OregonCustom wrote:I sourced out some satin bags...then I Dye Sublimate my signature and pipe number on the bag. I use to print them in color....which looked like poo, now I leave them white with black printing. Cost.....about $1.25 each with printing.

Pics?

Don't think I've ever taken a photo of the bag.... I'll shoot one this weekend. I can't remember which bag I sent to Andrew for PITH this year, if I even did...