How To Package A Leather Jacket For Shipping?

Are you going to send a leather jacket through the post, and you’re wondering what is the right way of packaging it for shipping? You’ve come to the right place, for we have researched this question, and we have the answer for you.

Here are the summarized easy-to-follow steps to package a leather jacket for shipping:

  1. Fold the arms towards the center.
  2. Fold the jacket horizontally from the bottom upward.
  3. Place a tissue paper sheet between the leather surfaces.
  4. Place inside a plastic wrap sheet.
  5. Place inside a box.

The steps above are summarized and are not applicable for long-term storage. Proceed to the succeeding sections to learn how to store your jacket for the long term, and read the detailed steps for packaging a leather jacket for shipping. Read on!

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How to package a leather jacket for shipping?

Leather jacket in gift box

When preparing the leather jacket for shipping, it's important to consider that you do not want to crease the jacket - so correctly folding is key - and you want to protect the jacket from any undue harm.

Correctly folding the jacket (as detailed below) and making sure to smooth it out carefully will work best. This is not a hasty job! Lining your folds with tissue paper will prevent any discoloration or scratching, for instance, if the jacket has zippers or un-hemmed edges. It will also mitigate moisture.

Finally, you'll want to use the appropriate packaging material and sized box. Wrapping the jacket in bubble wrap or placing it into a loose plastic bag should work well. This is to prevent too much moisture from outside from getting to the jacket during transit.

You'll also want a box that isn't too small -to scrunch - or too large -to shake or wrinkle- the jacket.

Note: Using a bubble mailer is a bad idea because bubble mailers have a small vertical space, especially near the edges. This means that the leather jacket will be pressed down and cause creasing.

Packaging a Leather Jacket: Step-by-Step

  1. Zip or button the leather jacket.
  2. Make sure all the pockets are empty. Anything inside the pockets can create a dent or crease on your jacket once you fold it.
  3. Place stiff cardboard or a thin foam with rounded edges inside the jacket. This is to prevent the jacket from wrinkling while in transit. The cardboard or foam should be half the length of the jacket’s torso.
  4. Pull up the collar or hood if the jacket has either of these.
  5. Lay the jacket down on a flat surface with the front zipper or buttons facing the ceiling. Smoothen the surface of the leather before you proceed.
  6. Fold the arms of the jacket in front of it with the ends of the sleeves meeting at the bottom center of the jacket. Line the fold where the sleeves are sewn to the chest part to minimize creasing.
  7. Place a layer of tissue paper sheet between the arms and the chest of the jacket and where the two arms meet.
  8. If the jacket has a hood, fold it sideward to close the opening of the hood, then fold it down towards the chest of the jacket.
  9. Fold the jacket horizontally once along the cardboard edge, lifting the bottom of the jacket upward. This is the only fold that you should do on the chest area to minimize creasing.
  10. Place another layer of tissue paper sheet between the layers of the jacket that will touch.
  11. Pack the jacket inside a plastic bag that is loose enough to hold the jacket inside. You can also use a bubble wrap bag or a plastic wrap sheet.
  12. Place your jacket inside a box that is big enough to hold the jacket. Never use a box that is too small, or it will crease the jacket. A box that is too big will cause shaking and could cause wrinkling.

How do you store leather jackets long-term?

fashion three black leather punk jacket hanging isolated on hanger

Leather jackets are so versatile that you can wear them during any season of the year. However, there are leather jackets that can be too warm to wear during the warmer months, and they are best stored until the colder months of the year.

Here are the steps on how to properly store your leather jacket long term:

Cleaning Your Leather Jacket

The first step in storing your leather jacket is to clean it first. Never store a dirty leather jacket.

Dirt can oxidize, and it will become harder or impossible to remove if you leave it on your jacket for too long. Some dirt can discolor your leather jacket or leave a noticeable stain.

Check the care label of your leather jacket for the recommended way of cleaning your leather jacket. If you don’t see any cleaning instructions on the care label or you can’t find a care label, clean it with a soft, clean cloth that is dipped in clean water.

Dip the cloth only to get it damp. Too much water can damage the leather. Rub the cloth gently in a circular motion on your jacket.

Applying Leather Conditioner

Apply some leather conditioner on your jacket before you store it. It is a good idea to apply a leather conditioner every three to six months.

If you will store your leather jacket for six months, it is a good idea to apply leather conditioner before storing your jacket, then apply leather conditioner again when you take it out of storage to use it.

Leather conditioner will keep the leather on your jacket well moisturized, preventing it from drying and cracking. A leather conditioner can even prevent some stains.

Different leather conditioners can have different application instructions. Read the label carefully and follow the instructions.

If you decide to apply some leather conditioner while you’re using your leather jacket, just keep in mind that you should always clean your jacket first.

Leather Honey leather conditioner is available on Amazon. Check it out through this link.

Hanging Your Leather Jacket

variety of leather jackets closeup

Hang your jacket on a wooden clothes hanger. Hanging your leather jacket this way prevents wrinkling.

Wooden clothes hangers are ideal because they can retain their shape while supporting the weight of your leather jacket. Plastic and wire clothes hangers can bend under the weight of your leather jacket and will not be able to provide the long-term support that your jacket needs.

Hang your jacket where it is not exposed to direct sunlight. Occasional exposure to the sun is fine, but if you’re storing your jacket long-term, you do not want it to get regular sun exposure. Too much sun exposure will fade the color of your jacket that is exposed, while the rest of the jacket will retain its color.

Additionally, do not store your leather jacket where it is too hot, like in the attic. Too much sun and heat will dry the leather and cause it to crack.

Too much moisture in the air is also not good for your leather jacket because this can cause mildew growth. Use a dehumidifier to normalize the humidity in the room or closet where you will hang your jacket.

Keeping Other Clothes Separate

Always keep other clothes separate from your leather jacket. Your jacket can absorb the dye from other clothes and get discolored.

You can use an old light-colored bedsheet and wrap it around your leather jacket. An old bedsheet is ideal because it will allow the leather to breathe while it is in storage, and keep your leather jacket away from other clothes.

Never use a plastic bag to keep your jacket separate from your other clothes. Plastic will not allow the leather to breathe.

Why do leather jackets crack?

Leather is a natural textile that is made from animal hide. It is strong, smooth, soft, and comfortable. This makes it the perfect material for outerwear like jackets and coats.

However, leather is not perfect. And one of its imperfections is cracking.

Leather contains thousands of pores because it is made from the hide of an animal. These pores constantly release and absorb moisture from the air.

Unfortunately, if leather loses too much of its moisture, it will start to develop cracks on its surface. Regular leather conditioning of your jacket will help keep it moisturized and prevent cracking.

Never store your jacket in plastic bags because this can make it harder for your jacket to absorb moisture from the air, and this can lead to drying.

Do leather jackets peel?

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A well-maintained leather jacket can last for decades. Additionally, leather jackets look better as it ages.

If your leather jacket is not kept moisturized, the leather on your jacket will dry. Dry leather will eventually crack and peel.

Why is my leather jacket turning white?

Leather jackets often turn white because of fatty spue. Fatty spue is considered a leather defect that is common in leather goods—not just leather jackets. It is caused by fatty acids that have a high melting temperature.

The leather can sweat these fatty acids when the temperature rises and then stay on the surface of the leather once the temperature drops. Fatty spue is often mistaken as mold.

One way to test if the white marks on your leather jacket are mold or fatty spue is to use a hairdryer on the area. The warm air will cause fatty spue to disappear while mold will remain on the leather surface despite the warm air from the hairdryer.

How to clean fatty spue?

Preventing fatty spue is not possible since it comes from leather. Thus, the only thing that you can do is clean it off once it appears.

Here are the simple steps to clean fatty spue:

  1. Mix a solution of 1:10 leather and fur wash concentrate and water.
  2. Use a clean cloth to apply a thin layer of the solution to the affected areas.
  3. Let the leather jacket dry. Use a hairdryer to improve the results.
  4. Once your leather jacket is dry, apply a color lock and waterproofing oil on your jacket using a clean cloth. It can prevent fatty spue from forming once more.

Conclusion

Packaging a leather jacket for shipping can be seen as excessive by some. However, proper care while packing a leather jacket will surely be appreciated and welcomed by the receiver.

If you enjoyed reading this article, you might find the articles below equally enjoyable to read:

Can You Store Clothes In A Cardboard Box?

How To Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh In Storage Bins?