My new packaging

[earlene]

Re: labeling requirements in the US as Carolyn mentioned. Just in case you are interested. Soaps can be classified as only soap, or as a cosmetic, or as a drug, or as a cosmetic and a drug. When the latter two, there are specific labeling requirements. The best source I think for clarity of labeling requirements is Marie Gale's book, Soap and Cosmetic Labeling. But since she bases her book on the regulations of the Federal Government, you can peruse the Federal Regs as well.

Marie Gale's website on Soap & Cosmetic labeling: https://www.mariegale.com/soap-and-cosmetic-labeling-book/
Marie Gale's labeling Quick Guide FAQ's: https://www.mariegale.com/quick-labeling-faq/

Here are links to the FDA site (USA) regarding labeling requirements.

Summary of Labeling Requirements: https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/Labeling/Regulations/ucm126438.htm

Cosmetic labeling guide (pertains to some soaps, depending on claim or customer perception): https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/Labeling/Regulations/ucm126444.htm

Small Business & Homemade Cosmetics Fact Sheet : https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ResourcesForYou/Industry/ucm388736.htm

Some say that if you sell your soap and say it is only soap, that it can be sold without a label. However, that's not entirely true in all cases. If public perception believes that pine tar soap is medicinal, then no matter what you say, you need to label it as if it were a drug because you cannot know that your customers won't be buying it for medicinal use. Meeting the labeling requirement as such protects you as a business owner.

Additionally, fragrances and especially some Essential Oils should be listed because there are safety precautions that are important for those who would be affected. It is important to buy from a reputable vendor who lists safe usage rates in soap and to follow those, as well as to list the possibly problematic ones on your labels.

Examples of some essential oils cautions by vendors:
See these sites for cautions on EOs they sell that should not be used by pregnant women:

https://www.rockymountainsoap.com/pages/pregnancy-and-essential-oils
http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.co...ke-articles/Essential-Oils-And-Pregnancy.aspx

This is not an entirely exhaustive listing. Just a few references that may help when it comes to labeling.

 

[penelopejane]

Here is the link to the little wrapping jig/machine that someone created. I may devise something similar to speed up the process. It’s pretty cool! Credit given to Tyars Media for the idea...don’t know them but I like their idea!

When you are thinking of packaging you have to take into consideration time and money.
This method looks great but it requires a sticker ($$) and a bit more paper than I use to wrap the same soap. I use a horizontal cigar band stuck together with glue to label and hold my wrapping together. But I use a lot less paper. Paper is the most expensive part for me as I make my own labels.

So knowing the width of the paper you are going to use and playing with wrapping your soap to efficiently use the paper is really worthwhile. The time taken to wrap the soap is important as well.

 

[MadTeddyBear]

It does work pretty well. Made one this afternoon with wood I had leftover from making a cutter and some plastic cuttings mats from the dollar store. It does only work on my bars with pretty specific dimensions so it would end up taking a full sheet of printer paper with a lot of being trimmed/wasted. But it was really easy to use and I could wrap bars quicker and more consistently with it.

 

[loriag]

That is a very cool wrapping tool. Thanks for sharing.

 

[redhead1226]

Re: labeling requirements in the US as Carolyn mentioned. Just in case you are interested. Soaps can be classified as only soap, or as a cosmetic, or as a drug, or as a cosmetic and a drug. When the latter two, there are specific labeling requirements. The best source I think for clarity of labeling requirements is Marie Gale's book, Soap and Cosmetic Labeling. But since she bases her book on the regulations of the Federal Government, you can peruse the Federal Regs as well.

Marie Gale's website on Soap & Cosmetic labeling: https://www.mariegale.com/soap-and-cosmetic-labeling-book/
Marie Gale's labeling Quick Guide FAQ's: https://www.mariegale.com/quick-labeling-faq/

Here are links to the FDA site (USA) regarding labeling requirements.

Summary of Labeling Requirements: https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/Labeling/Regulations/ucm126438.htm

Cosmetic labeling guide (pertains to some soaps, depending on claim or customer perception): https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/Labeling/Regulations/ucm126444.htm

Small Business & Homemade Cosmetics Fact Sheet : https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ResourcesForYou/Industry/ucm388736.htm

Some say that if you sell your soap and say it is only soap, that it can be sold without a label. However, that's not entirely true in all cases. If public perception believes that pine tar soap is medicinal, then no matter what you say, you need to label it as if it were a drug because you cannot know that your customers won't be buying it for medicinal use. Meeting the labeling requirement as such protects you as a business owner.

Additionally, fragrances and especially some Essential Oils should be listed because there are safety precautions that are important for those who would be affected. It is important to buy from a reputable vendor who lists safe usage rates in soap and to follow those, as well as to list the possibly problematic ones on your labels.

Examples of some essential oils cautions by vendors:
See these sites for cautions on EOs they sell that should not be used by pregnant women:

https://www.rockymountainsoap.com/pages/pregnancy-and-essential-oils
http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.co...ke-articles/Essential-Oils-And-Pregnancy.aspx

This is not an entirely exhaustive listing. Just a few references that may help when it comes to labeling.

Thank you for all the work you put into this. Very informative.

 

[Meena]

Ask and you shall receive! I mocked up two more. The one in the middle (green) is scanned and printed as one sheet rather than a wrap and separate label.
View attachment 36317

ooooh, charcoal and kelp? so curious as to what that one looks like.

 

[DWinMadison]

Keeping in log form and cutting as you go, really only works for M&P soap. CP will get to hard to cut in a short time

It is pretty slick, she sells a very nice one on in her Etsy Store
https://www.etsy.com/listing/599058...wrapping-tool-soap?ref=shop_home_feat_2&bes=1

Mega awesome. Between molds, cutters and now a wrapping jig, I can’t get out of my wood shop long enough to make any soap!!!

 

[DirtyKnuckles]

Sir, your label really shrieks "professional". I see lots of powerful stimuli in it, especially the imagery the name provides. While not "bull of the woods"/Duluth Trading Company/logger dive bar, it's pretty woodsy for guys like me. And definitely tony enough that you'd expect to see it in Aspen Colorado gift shops! Just looking at the label makes me anticipate a high value item with a commensurate price. And ain't that what the marketers wanna do for you?

LOL. No, no, no. I meant that figuratively....like something you might see there or Crabtree and Evelyn. (Are those even still things? I can’t remember the last time I walked into a mall.)

Dang! I remember Crabtree and Evelyn...wish I could get their Hungary Water again. One of the few scents other than woodsmoke and fresh rain that I care to wear.

 

[DWinMadison]

Sir, your label really shrieks "professional". I see lots of powerful stimuli in it, especially the imagery the name provides. While not "bull of the woods"/Duluth Trading Company/logger dive bar, it's pretty woodsy for guys like me. And definitely tony enough that you'd expect to see it in Aspen Colorado gift shops! Just looking at the label makes me anticipate a high value item with a commensurate price. And ain't that what the marketers wanna do for you?


Dang! I remember Crabtree and Evelyn...wish I could get their Hungary Water again. One of the few scents other than woodsmoke and fresh rain that I care to wear.

Here you go...Have at it, and send me some!
https://thebeautygypsy.com/queen-of-hungary-water/
Very interesting reading btw

 

[Katina Grimm]

I like it! Are you planning on having different papers, or just one? I like the one you are using, but wonder if it will always be available.

I love the look! Very beautiful and finished looking. I do though like to see the soap too....im still in process how I want mine to look. Thank you for sharing!!
I also had the question as well in regards to the paper. Where do you buy your paper from?

 

[DWinMadison]

So, I was pondering the multi-soap set discussed above and wondering how you could package them without a ton of added expense. That got me thinking about how I could package some sets of three soaps that I need to gift to my Mom-in-law and a friend of hers who are celebrating birthdays. I was looking around my garage and spied a pallet. I decided to make simple rustic boxes perfectly sized to hold 3 of my soaps. Pallets are ubiquitous and free! Weather was too nasty to do shop work, so that’s a project for next weekend.

 

[Longtimesoaper]

How pretty! I love it. My labels look just awful compared to yours. Maybe this old girl needs to learn some new tricks.

 

[earlene]

So, I was pondering the multi-soap set discussed above and wondering how you could package them without a ton of added expense. That got me thinking about how I could package some sets of three soaps that I need to gift to my Mom-in-law and a friend of hers who are celebrating birthdays. I was looking around my garage and spied a pallet. I decided to make simple rustic boxes perfectly sized to hold 3 of my soaps. Pallets are ubiquitous and free! Weather was too nasty to do shop work, so that’s a project for next weekend.

I don't know if you can still do this, but when my sons were young (talking about 45 years ago now), I used to get free paper tossed out by printer companies on a regular basis. My brother who was a printer told me go out back behind the print shop and take whatever you want after it's tossed out. Now I think it's called 'theft' to take paper that's been tossed out. But I do often find various packs of decorative papers for cheap at thrift stores. Also periodically, there are some pretty good sales of decorative paper at various places and I have found some real bargains in my travels. You are lucky you can find free pallets. I don't see them free very often anymore, but you kind of need a pick-up truck to haul them so I am guessing you have such a vehicle. We don't have one, much to the surprise of my husband's co-workers. They think everyone who lives in the mid-west everyone owns a p/u truck.

 

[saponem]

Wow! It is pretty wrapping and neat.

 

[Carl]

I too think the "Full" wraps here look awesome.

But, how do you monitor the bars when they are fully covered? If something goes bad under the paper, you will never know.

 

[carolp]

Here is my new packaging. Id appreciate any feedback. I wanted something that protected the soap that was a bit more eco-friendly than shrink wrap. The fragrance still comes through the paper which is good!

View attachment 36313

I love it! Would you mind answering a couple of specific questions? What size do you buy your paper in? Does it come in a roll or sheets? And, what type of paper is it? I am afraid to make an investment in packaging material to only find it is not appropriate for the product (colors stain soap, fading, soap stains paper, etc). I am very new to my soaping endeavor and hope to learn by others mistakes! (thanks to those of you that have learned from them lol)

 

[Hendejm]

I’m sorry for not posting replies but it seems my forum access has been limited and/or severely slowed down. I am unable to access for days on end and then when I can access it slows to a crawl.

The paper is regular letter 8.5x11 sheets. I print with laser so there is no worry about any bleeding or staining. It works out very well.

As someone else has asked about checking conditions of soap - I keep one bar from each batch uncovered so I’m able to see if they develop any issues in quality.

Thanks for all the kind words and hopefully this message gets posted.

 

[Prysm]

I’m sorry for not posting replies but it seems my forum access has been limited and/or severely slowed down. I am unable to access for days on end and then when I can access it slows to a crawl.

The paper is regular letter 8.5x11 sheets. I print with laser so there is no worry about any bleeding or staining. It works out very well.

As someone else has asked about checking conditions of soap - I keep one bar from each batch uncovered so I’m able to see if they develop any issues in quality.

Thanks for all the kind words and hopefully this message gets posted.

I've done a bit of tweaking. If you still have a problem, please send me a private conversation and I'll need what type of equipment you are using, so we can trouble shoot for you.

 

[Hendejm]

I've done a bit of tweaking. If you still have a problem, please send me a private conversation and I'll need what type of equipment you are using, so we can trouble shoot for you.

You are awesome!!!!!! It’s working now. You are my forum hero! Thank you!!

 

[Kari Howie]

Here is my new packaging. Id appreciate any feedback. I wanted something that protected the soap that was a bit more eco-friendly than shrink wrap. The fragrance still comes through the paper which is good!

View attachment 36313

It’s beautiful! Where did you get the paper? And what kind is it?