Begin with the right materials

Packing pottery for the post is not the same as wrapping a birthday present. A parcel travels through sorting machines, vans and doorsteps, and may be stacked under heavier boxes. The good news is that a few reliable materials and a calm, methodical approach will see most home-studio pieces arrive safely. Stock up on:

• small and large bubble wrap
• acid-free tissue paper
• double-walled cardboard boxes
• strong packing tape
• foam wrap
• cardboard corner protectors
• a good void fill such as crumpled kraft paper

Avoid using newspaper directly against glazed surfaces, as printer’s ink can transfer and mar the finish. For heavy or high-value pieces, a double-walled box is not an upgrade; it is the baseline.

Wrap every piece as if it will be dropped

Assume your parcel will receive a firm knock, because it probably will. Begin by wrapping the pot in a layer of acid-free tissue, especially if the glaze is soft, satin or unglazed. Then roll it in bubble wrap so the bubbles face outward. This keeps air pockets between the pot and the box to absorb shock. Two to three layers is sensible for most mugs and bowls; add more for thin-walled, sculptural or heavily textured pieces. Secure the wrap with tape, but do not wrap it so tightly that you stress handles or rims.

Handles, spouts and knobs need special attention. Wrap them separately with a small strip of bubble wrap, then add a folded card splint alongside the delicate part before the main wrap goes on. Lids should be removed if loose, wrapped individually and packed in their own small box. If you are sending a set, wrap every item separately. Never let pots touch each other inside the parcel, and never rely on a single layer of bubble wrap to protect a rim.

Double-boxing: the home studio standard

Double-boxing is the single most effective way to reduce breakages. Place your wrapped piece in an inner box, leaving at least five centimetres of cushioning on every side. Fill the base first, sit the piece centrally, then fill around and over it. Close the inner box and tape it. Now place that box inside a larger outer box, again with at least five centimetres of cushioning all round. The inner box should not touch the outer box at any point. If you can feel cardboard against cardboard, add more void fill.

For multiple items, make cardboard dividers to create separate compartments. Put heavier pieces at the bottom and lighter ones above, but keep the whole parcel balanced. Fill every gap so nothing can shift. A well-packed box should feel solid, not bulging, and it should not rattle when you move it. Tape all seams with strong packing tape using the H-tape method: one strip down the centre seam and one along each edge. Masking tape and washi tape are not parcel tape.

Label, seal and test your parcel

Before you seal the outer box, put a slip of paper inside with the recipient’s address and your return address. On the outside, write the address clearly in block capitals with a waterproof marker. Add your return address, and mark the parcel Fragile and This way up if orientation matters. Fragile stickers do not guarantee gentle handling, but they help.

Once sealed, give the parcel a gentle shake. If you hear or feel movement, reopen it and add more cushioning. For a final check, perform a controlled drop test from about knee height onto a firm floor. This mimics a real-world knock and will reveal weak spots. If the box dents badly or you hear a rattle, repack. For UK weather, consider wrapping the outer box in a clear polythene bag or using water-resistant tape, as damp cardboard loses strength quickly.

Choose a tracked service that suits the piece

Always use a tracked service for pottery. Tracking gives you and your customer proof that the parcel was sent, scanned and delivered, and it usually includes a signature on receipt. Choose a service with adequate compensation cover for the value of the piece, and keep your proof of posting and photographs of the packed parcel before it leaves your studio. For very high-value work, consider a specialist fine art courier.

Timing matters. Dispatch early in the week so your parcel is not sitting in a depot over the weekend. Avoid bank holidays and the busiest weeks of the year if you can. Tell your customer which tracked service you are using and pass on the tracking number as soon as you have it. Good communication does not prevent breakages, but it makes the rare problem much easier to resolve.

Special pieces need special care

Some shapes need extra thought. Mugs should have their interiors filled with crumpled tissue or bubble wrap to stop the walls being crushed, and their handles wrapped separately. Bowls should not be nested without padding; wrap each one and stack with a cushioning layer between. Plates are strongest when packed on edge rather than flat, so wrap each plate and stand it upright in a divided box. Teapots need a splint for the spout and handle, plus a separate home for the lid. Sculptural pieces may need a custom cardboard cradle or foam cut-outs. Raku, low-fired and unglazed work is especially fragile, so use extra layers and double-box without fail.

Finally, remember that packing is part of your craft. A pot that arrives whole is a pot that can be enjoyed, and a customer who receives a well-packed parcel trusts your studio all the more. Take your time, use good materials, and never let a pot rattle.