The Esthetician's Shipping Materials Checklist: What You Need Before You Launch Your Online Store
So you're launching an ecommerce store for your skincare line, spa, or beauty brand, heckkkkk yes that is so exciting!
Before your first order comes through, there's one part of the process that new beauty business owners almost always underestimate: shipping.
The right shipping setup protects your product, keeps your costs predictable, and gives your customer that
"ooh, this feels premium"
moment when the package lands on their doorstep. For estheticians and beauty brands especially, packaging is part of the brand experience! It's the last touchpoint before your client uses the product you recommended to them.
Here's exactly what to have on hand before you start shipping, broken into what you need on day one and what to add as you grow.
Start Here: Your Day One Printing Setup
Every shipped order starts with two things: knowing how much it weighs and printing an accurate label. Don't worry, you don't need fancy equipment to get this right.(We've linked all the ones we recommend!)
A digital postal scale
You'll use this to weigh your pre-filled packages so you're not guessing at postage. Any scale works, but make sure it measures in both ounces and grams. Shipping costs are determined by weight and being off by even a little adds up over dozens of orders. A basic scale that goes up to 10 lbs is plenty for most skincare and beauty orders starting out.
A thermal shipping label printer
This is the single upgrade that will save you the most time and money long term.
Thermal printers don't use ink or toner, so there's no smudging and nothing to run out mid batch. A Bluetooth connected model (like the one linked) is the easiest to set up if you're new to this because you can print straight from your phone or laptop!
4x6 thermal labels
Standard 4x6 is the industry size and works across USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Pro tip: Save by buying in bulk once you know your order volume! A 500 sheet roll is a good starting point and you'll want to move up to 1,000+ once orders become more consistent.
What to Ship Products In
This is where a lot of new business owners either overspend or underspend. We find that Amazon has the best prices for bubble mailers and ULine is best for boxes. Here's the breakdown:
Bubble mailers, small (6x10)
Ideal for shipping one to three smaller skincare items like serums, cleansers, or a single treatment product. These run around $0.24 each when bought in bulk, so they're the most cost effective option for small orders.
Bubble mailers, large (8.5x11)
Use these when a client orders multiple products in one go. Amazon is consistently one of the cheapest sources for bubble mailers, and you can have some fun with them! Fun colors or branded mailers help your package stand out the moment it hits your clients's porch or mailbox.
Shipping boxes
Boxes make the most sense for larger orders, product bundles, or subscription boxes. You have a lot of room to play here (color, size, tape, tissue paper, etc) Once you're shipping larger orders, bundled skincare sets, or gift boxes regularly, consider investing in unique boxes to add that premium touch.
Making Your Packaging Feel On Brand
This is the part that helps turn a one time buyer into a repeat client and it doesn't require a huge budget! Browse some creative ways to make your package stand out below.
- Branded packing tape adds that extra touch to the outside of a box before it's even opened (We love Packlane for custom packing materials)
- Stickers are one of the most versatile branding tools you have. Use them to seal tissue paper, close a bubble mailer, or drop in as a small freebie (we love Sticker Mule and Sticker Giant for custom stickers)
- A thank you card or discount code costs almost nothing and gives clients a reason to come back. Even a simple printed card with a short note and a code for their next order makes a client feel special! Create these in Canva and print them in bulk
- Branded or colored tissue paper creates that "unboxing" feeling that makes skincare orders feel like a treat. You'll have a higher chance of your client sharing your package on their socials if you do this and we loooove free marketing!
- Custom or branded bubble mailers can help packages stand out and feel intentional. This is a great upgrade once your business grows and order volume increases
Small Touches That Go a Long Way
These aren't essential on day one, but they're worth adding as your business grows:
- A product care or usage card: especially valuable for skincare, since it tells first time customers exactly how to use what they bought (this is such a expert move!)
- A branded stamp for tissue paper, boxes, or cards: an affordable, reusable way to add an extra touch without ordering pre-printed materials every time
- Sample products: a small sample encourages customers to try something new and gives them a reason to reorder. And who doesn't love a free sample?
Don't Have Inventory Yet? Ask About Dropshipping
If you're just getting started and don't want to hold inventory of every product in your line, ask your retailer if they offer dropshipping. Some skincare lines, Face Reality and Skin Script, for example, (as of 2026) will ship orders directly to your client on your behalf. The package arrives under your business name, not the retailer, so the client still feels like they ordered from you.
They just won't get your custom packaging on that particular order.
Dropshipping works best when an order only involves products from a single brand, so it's a good option to keep in your back pocket for restocks or one off product requests.
The Bottom Line
You don't need a warehouse or a huge upfront investment to ship products professionally. Start with a scale, a thermal printer, and labels. Get some mailers and boxes that fit your order sizes. Layer in a few branded touches as you grow. That's genuinely all it takes to make your brand stand out from your very first order.
Need help setting up your Shopify store?
Get in touch! This is exactly the kind of thing we help estheticians and beauty brands figure out.
