a complete list of my suppliers + resources

hey fam!! here is that illustrious supply list i mentioned a little while ago — this is the full list of my packaging supplies, where i get my stickers made, where i get my print paper, the whole kit and caboodle.

first things first: research + thought process 

when it comes to researching for new packaging supplies, it basically comes down to extensive hours spent googling versions of the term “recycled such and such” or sometimes asking input from twitter. i’m trying really hard to be as zero waste as possible — i find that as a small business owner with control over all my operations, it’s a little easier to make every process as eco-friendly as possible. 

i’m tying to phase out plastic in all forms - the eco plastic i use for my prints is only commercially compostable and most places do not have commercial composting programs unfortunately :( so the eco plastic is a bit moot because of that. i’m planning on replacing the plastic sleeves with glassine envelopes, but ones that are large enough for prints are pricey! so i will probably end up transitioning to wrapping the prints in glassine sheets — they protect the art from water and things and are fully recyclable. the only thing is that wrapping up the prints in the glassine paper takes a bit of extra time, but i think it’s an exchange that is important to make. 

so when i think about how to make my packaging/business practices more sustainable, i think about every step of the process and how i can cut down on waste across the board. i use glassine envelopes instead of plastic because they still protect the product from damage like plastic sleeves, but are fully recyclable. i use 100% recycled products wherever possible to minimize my use of virgin fibers. my shipping labels are even zero-waste — the liners are fully recyclable as are the labels themselves. there is some waste that is unavoidable (the strips from the self-seal kraft packages, empty sticker sheets, etc.) but it is very important to me to cut back on waste wherever it is possible.

i found these websites and sources through LOTS of relentless googling (i spend hours and hours on this kind of research) as well as asking other online art sellers on twitter and instagram for their fave eco-friendly shipping sources. eco-friendly stuff is often a touch more expensive than standard supplies, but it is super duper worth it in my opinion.

onto the list!

mailers & envelopes:

• 6"x8" mailers for domestic stickers orders: https://www.ecoenclose.com/shop/mailers/rigid-mailers-self-seal/
— note: uline also has rigid mailers that are made from 80% recycled content which can be found here: https://www.uline.com/BL_1656/Self-Seal-Kraft-Stay-Flats

• A1 envelope for print orders: https://www.lilmailers.com/buy-packaging/envelope/dvd-mailers/
— i would also recommend the A194 for prints, if you don't want the fit to be super snug

• 6"x9" padded paper mailers for handmade items like pins & keychains: https://www.ecoenclose.com/shop/mailers/padded-mailers/

• recycled A7 envelopes in milkweed genesis for intl sticker orders: https://www.jampaper.com/Envelopes/RecycledEnvelopes

• zero-waste shipping labels: https://www.ecoenclose.com/4-x-6-zero-waste-direct-thermal-label-regular-250-labels-single-roll/

• label printer: https://www.rollo.com/product/rollo-printer/ — label roll holder: https://www.rollo.com/product/hybrid-label-holder/

packaging supplies:

• recycled baker's twine: https://www.guided.com/collections/bakers-twine

• glassine bags for packaging stickers: https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-8549/Bakery-Supplies/Flat-Glassine-Bags-4-1-2-x-6-3-4

• eco-clear plastic bags for packaging prints and sticker packs (i'm working on phasing these out as they're only commercially compostable): https://www.clearbags.com/4-5-8-x-6-3-8-flap-premium-eco-clear-bags-100-pieces-gc4x6xl.html and https://www.clearbags.com/5-15-16-x-8-3-4-flap-premium-eco-clear-bags-100-pieces-gc59.html

• glassine sheets for wrapping up prints: https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-19307/Specialty-Paper/Glassine-Paper-Sheets-12-x-12

• 100% recycled custom tissue paper for wrapping orders: https://www.noissue.co/

• 100% recycled regular tissue paper!! (thank you cecile!) https://www.nashvillewraps.com/tissue-paper/gift-tissue-paper/p-45/ct3aq 

• washi tape (i tend to just pick up washi tape whenever i step into a stationery shop but if i'm ordering online this is where i go): https://mt-tape.us/collections/solids

• muslin bags for packaging pins and keychains: https://www.michaels.com/celebrate-it--occasions--muslin-favor-bag--12-pack/10217739.html
— very similar also available from uline: https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-870/Burlap-and-Cloth-Bags/Cloth-Parts-Bags-3-x-4

stickers & print stuff:

• my sticker sheets and die-cut stickers: https://www.vinyldisorder.com/
— a lot of people use sticker mule for die-cut stickers but their CEO is a super trump supporter and a big donor and i think that it's important to vote with your dollars SO i was on the hunt for a sticker company that has a similar thick sticker material to sticker mule without all the bigotry, and i found vinyl disorder!! their prices and customer service are completely unmatched in my opinion. their website is aggressive looking and a little hard to navigate, but it's worth it. i also love stickerapp, but they are definitely a little bit more expensive, and their sticker material is a little thinner than i personally prefer 

• thank you inserts and business cards: https://moo.com/
— i also plan on designing little round stickers for closing orders, which i also plan on ordering from moo (or noissue, we'll see where i can get the best price)

• A4 paper for art prints (i print two on each sheet and then cut them in half — i would use normal 5x7 or 8x10 paper, but A5 is the perfect print size in my opinion, so i scoured the net till i found a US supplier for it): https://www.photopaperdirect.us/ppd-inkjet-white-velvet-etching-giclee-paper-65lb-270gsm-a4-8-27-x-11-69-inch/
— the "bartya" one is also lovely if you like a satin sheen on your prints, but i prefer a completely matte finish and the velvet etching one has a more detailed finish i find

• i use an EPSON XP-15000 to print all my prints at home, btw! but i've heard great things about https://catprint.com/ for ordering prints online

and i think that is everything! please let me know if you have any questions, or if there is anything i missed, and i'll be happy to add it on. i hope this helps y'all out!