If there is one thing I have learned as an art student in college and now an entrepreneur, it’s absolutely that presentation is everything.

In college, as an interior design student, you always have to do material boards and presentation boards of your concept, finish & furniture selections, and space planning at the end of the project. It didn’t matter how good your project and ideas were if your boards were not meticulously planned and executed.

I remember one project when I decided to do something a little different with my boards – trying to throw in a few artsy ideas I suppose – but it just didn’t work. In the middle of the presentation, one of the samples fell off. I cannot tell you how mortified I was, and despite the fact that my project was solid, the presentation absolutely affected the grade.

So what am I talking about? It’s the same thing with your handmade or art/craft based business. We have to convince people to make a conscious decision to go with you over cheaper, mass produced goods. Your product might be infinitely superior to something you’d see in Target, but if you present it poorly, then it will read that way.

I’m coming up on one year of being a member of the website Etsy, although I only started selling in November, and if there is one thing I have learned, it’s that the sellers who go the extra mile on their presentation are the ones who are the most successful.

One of my suppliers for my stationery line sends my cellophane so prettily packaged that every time I order it that I look forward to getting it in the mail. Think about it: Wal-Mart doesn’t even bag your purchases for you anymore; so there is huge opportunity for impact with just a little thought in the packaging.

Some sellers are probably more consistent with their packaging than I am, but my thought is that it is probably a little more fun for repeat customers to get a little bit different presentation when they order each time. For example, for the box above (which is actually a wholesale order), I used the kraft bags that my paper purchases come in and cut it up to wrap the box. Eco-friendly, budget friendly, and makes a nice presentation!

I mainly use some variation of twine, kraft paper, and white paper to create a pretty presentation for my products. I always make sure my business card is prominently displayed, and make sure that the card tells not just how to get in touch with you, but also what you do! I have opted to do a double sided card, so that all my contact information can be on one side, and the other side is more promotional in nature so it works well on packages as well.

So no matter what you do, try not to miss the branding opportunity and huge impact that can be made with simply tying an item with twine or wrapping it in inexpensive (or even reused!) paper.