How To Pack Decorated Cookies For Shipping

I rarely take orders these days, but I have shipped hundreds (maybe thousands!) of cookies over the last 12 years. Here are my tips on how to pack decorated cookies for shipping to ensure they arrive safely.

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Can I ship cookies?

Before we talk about how to pack cookies for shipping, you might be wondering if your local laws even allow you to ship cookies to customers.

I work out of a licensed commercial kitchen which is what allows me to ship cookies, but laws differ from state to state. If you are starting a cookie business and have questions about whether or not you are allowed to ship cookies, I recommend checking out BakingFix.com run by my friend Mimi Fix. I took her class when I first started selling cookies and learned the ins and outs of having a food business from her.

Here's what you'll need:

• Cello bags (I'm using 4x6" bags for a 3-¼" cookie)
• 8" Heat Sealer
• Labels (I get my labels from UPrinting)
• Gift boxes (I use these 8x8x5" boxes and these Hinged Gift Boxes from Nashville Wraps)
• Cardboard for bottom of gift box (I covered mine in wrapping paper)
• Tissue paper
• Bubble wrap
• Shipping box (I get my shipping boxes from ULINE)
• Newsprint or other box filler
• Packing tape
• Fragile stickers

Step 1: Seal the cookies in cello bags with the heat sealer.

Step 2: Apply labels to the back of the cookies.

Step 3: Wrap 2 cookies in a sheet of tissue paper, making sure that the cookies are not touching each other.

Step 4: Assemble the gift box and place a piece of cardboard at the bottom of the box for extra support.

Step 5: Place a piece of bubble wrap in the box, followed by a piece of tissue paper.

Step 6: Layer the cookies in the box, 4 cookies per layer, with bubble wrap and tissue paper in between each layer. I pack as many as 16 cookies in an 8x8x5" box.

Step 7: Place a piece of bubble wrap on top and close the lid.

Step 8: Place a piece of newsprint in the shipping box.

Step 9: Place the gift box(es) into the shipping box and fill the space with newsprint. 

Step 10: Close the box and secure with packing tape. Place fragile stickers on the box, preferably on every side.

USPS Priority Mail is my preferred way to ship cookies. I use stamps.com and a DYMO label printer which makes the process so much easier. If you're shipping cookies frequently, it might be worth it to get a stamps.com account and a mailing label printer.

How Do You Ship Cookies and Keep Them Fresh?

The best way to ship cookies and keep them fresh is to wrap them and heat seal them in individual cello bags. I use these cello bags and this heat sealer.

How Much does it cost to ship cookies?

The cost to ship cookies is usually around $15 for a 2 pound box if you’re using USPS Priority Mail (which is what I use!). The cost varies depending on how many cookies you’re shipping and where they’re going.

I use this calculator from the USPS to figure out how much it will cost to ship cookies.

Can I mail cookies USPS?

You can mail cookies through USPS. I use it all the time! It is my preferred method because it is the least expensive and it’s (mostly) reliable.

Can baked good be mailed?

You can send almost any baked goods through the mail. It’s a good idea to make sure what you’re shipping is non-perishable and use a recipe that will not be a crumbled mess when it arrives at its destination.

Cookies are the perfect item to ship in the mail which is one of the main reasons I switched from decorating cakes to decorating cookies over a decade ago!

Mistakes to Avoid when Packing & Shipping Cookies

• Don’t use a recipe that makes a fragile cookie -
  
  For example, shortbread cookies that are made without eggs are so delicious but they tend to be very fragile. Use a cookie recipe that contains eggs so that the cookies will be sturdy enough to be shipped in the mail.
  
• Don’t forget to pack a box inside a box -
  
  When mailing your cookies, give them an extra layer of protection from breakage by placing them into a gift box first and then putting them into the shipping box surrounded with lots of newsprint, tissue paper, or bubble wrap.
  
• Don’t skimp on packaging material -
  
  When you pack your cookies, you should stuff the box with enough newsprint, bubble wrap, or tissue paper so that when you shake the box the cookies are not moving around inside.
  
• Don’t use the service that will take the longest even though it’s the cheapest -
  
  The longer your cookies spend in transit, the more chances there are for them to be damaged. USPS Priority Mail is a relatively inexpensive service and gets the cookies to their destination within 2 or 3 days.

Printable supply list and instructions on how to pack cookies for shipping

How To Pack Cookies For Shipping

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Here are my tips on how to pack cookies for shipping.

Materials

• Cello bags (I'm using 4x6" bags for a 3-¼" cookie)
• Heat Sealer
• Labels (I get my labels from UPrinting)
• Gift boxes (I use 8x8x5" boxes from Nashville Wraps)
• Cardboard for bottom of gift box (I covered mine in wrapping paper)
• Tissue paper
• Bubble wrap
• Shipping box
• Newsprint or other box filler
• Packing tape
• Fragile stickers

Instructions

1. Seal the cookies in cello bags with the heat sealer.
2. Apply labels to the back of the cookies.
3. Wrap 2 cookies in a sheet of tissue paper, making sure that the cookies are not touching each other (see this process in the video)
4. Assemble the gift box and place a piece of cardboard at the bottom of the box for extra support.
5. Place a piece of bubble wrap in the box, followed by a piece of tissue paper.
6. Layer the cookies in the box, 4 cookies per layer, with bubble wrap and tissue paper in between each layer. I pack as many as 16 cookies in an 8x8x5" box.
7. Place a piece of bubble wrap on top and close the lid.
8. Place a piece of newsprint in the shipping box.
9. Place the gift box(es) into the shipping box and fill the space with newsprint.
10. Close the box and secure with packing tape. Place fragile stickers on the box, preferably on every side.

Get more cookie tips by clicking on the images below.