Blog Post
Kickstarted!
Now what?
How to Fulfil a Crowdfunding Campaign Without Getting Overwhelmed
You’ve successfully launched your crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter or Indiegogo, funding is in, your community is excited, and now hundreds (or thousands) of backers are waiting to receive what you promised.
But here’s where many creators hit a wall: fulfilment.
How do you ship rewards around the world? Do you need a warehouse? Should you be thinking about customs, VAT, or packaging?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re in the right place.
At Redsky Europe, we help creators move from “funded” to “fulfilled” with a proven logistics process that scales with your campaign, keeps your backers informed, and delivers on every promise you’ve made.
- Fernando Tages Founder, Radian Technologies.
Here’s our step-by-step guide to fulfil your first crowdfunding campaign.
Step 1: Understand What You Need to Ship
How do I organise my backer rewards for fulfilment?
Start by making a clear list of every item you owe your backers.
Do some backers get bonus items or stretch goal rewards?
Are there multiple versions of your product?
Does anything need special packaging?
This is your reward list, it’s what we use to build a simple, organised shipping plan.
Pro tip: A good fulfilment partner (like us!) can help you turn this list into a clear pick-and-pack strategy that works for global shipping.
Step 2: Work with a Fulfilment Partner
What is a 3PL and do I need one for my campaign?
A 3PL (Third-Party Logistics provider) handles the hard stuff; storing, packing, and shipping your products. Instead of managing boxes in your garage or trying to ship thousands of items yourself, you work with professionals who do it every day.
Redsky Europe is a 3PL that specialises in:
• Crowdfunded product fulfilment
• Global shipping and VAT compliance
• Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaign support
• Seamless integration with platforms like BackerKit Shopify, and more
We’ve helped creators like Radian, Reekon Tools, and Wonder Machines ship thousands of products with confidence.
Step 3: Ship Us Your Inventory
When your product is ready, we’ll help you ship it directly from your manufacturer to our European fulfilment centre in Ireland. From that point forward, we handle everything, securely, efficiently, and with full visibility.
• We receive and inspect your inventory to ensure accuracy and quality
• We store your products in our warehouse, ready for on-demand fulfilment
• We organise inventory by SKU for easy pick-and-pack
• We offer barcoding and labelling services to keep your stock organised and traceable
• We build custom kits, including stretch goal add-ons, accessories, or bonus items
• We prep every package for safe, compliant, and professional delivery.
Whether you’re shipping a single item, multi-product bundles, or complex tiered rewards, our team ensures your products are packed with care and shipped on time. No chaos, just smooth, reliable fulfilment from factory floor to backer door.
Step 4: Seamless Shipping, Happy Backers
How do I actually ship my Kickstarter rewards?
Once we have your inventory and backer list, our fulfilment team takes over, handling every detail from packing to final delivery:
We pack every order with care, ensuring accuracy for each backer tier, including add-ons, stretch goals, and personalised extras
We ship globally using our trusted network of courier partners, including FedEx, UPS, DHL, DPD, An Post, and others
Our system generates tracking numbers for each shipment, so you and your backers always know where their rewards are
We manage all customs paperwork, tax declarations, and VAT compliance so your international shipping runs smoothly
Our team also handles returns and re-shipments, reducing friction if any issues arise with deliver
Our experienced customer service agents can recommend the most cost-effective and reliable shipping option for each destination helping you stay on budget without sacrificing delivery quality
Step 5: Grow Beyond the Campaign
What happens after my Kickstarter ends?
A successful crowdfunding campaign is a huge milestone but it’s just the beginning. At Redsky Europe, we don’t just help you fulfil your initial backer rewards; we’re here to support your long-term growth as you transition into a fully operational ecommerce brand.
Many of our clients stay with us well beyond their campaign, relying on our team to manage:
- Ongoing ecommerce fulfilment for platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, and more. We integrate directly for real-time order syncing
- Bulk shipments to retailers, distributors, and warehouse partners as your brand scales into wholesale
- Restocks and new product launches, with pre-order support and coordinated fulfilment for backers and customers alike
- B2B and B2C fulfilment, whether you’re shipping to individual customers or business partners, we handle both with speed and accuracy
Think of Redsky as an extension of your team ready to scale with you, adapt to new launches, and simplify logistics as your business evolves.
Whether you’re growing your DTC store or preparing for retail distribution, we’re here to keep your momentum going.
Don’t Leave Fulfilment Until the Last Minute
When should I start planning fulfilment?
Now. Seriously. Don’t wait until the end of your campaign to start thinking about logistics. Early planning means fewer surprises, lower costs, and happier backers.
We’re happy to answer questions at any stage, even before you launch.
You Focus on the Product, We’ll Handle the Shipping
Your job is to make something amazing. Our job is to get it to the people who believed in you.
Let’s talk about how we can support your campaign. Book a Call with Redsky Europe Today
FAQ
What is a CrowdFunding 3PL?
A 3PL, or Third-Party Logistics provider, is a company that receives your inventory, processes your backer orders, and ships your backer rewards.
It is important that your 3pl has experience with crowdfunded projects with supporting operations and technology. For any crowd funding project, fulfilling the commitment you made to your backers is of upmost importance
Do I need a 3PL to ship my crowdfunding rewards?
Yes, if you are shipping more than a hand full of units, you need an experienced company that can organise your inventory and fulfil your obligations to your backers.
A 3PL can save you time, money, and stress. We help creators ship to backers around the world without having to manage a warehouse or shipping operation
When should I start planning fulfilment?
The earlier you plan your fulfilment, the better your campaign outcome will be. Ideally, you should start thinking about logistics before your campaign ends, or even before it launches. Early planning helps you avoid delays, ensure smoother operations, and get a clear picture of your shipping costs. It also allows you to account for important factors like taxes, VAT, import timelines, and packaging expenses. These costs can add up quickly, so understanding them upfront means you can price your product appropriately and protect your profit margins.
Can Redsky ship globally?
Yes. Redsky Europe ships to backers in the UK, EU, US, and globally
How much does fulfilment cost?
Fulfilment costs vary based on your product size, order volume, and shipping destinations. We’ll work with you to create a custom quote that fits your campaign’s needs and budget.
As a rough guide, you can expect a 1kg order shipped from Redsky Europe to reach most European destinations in 3–5 days for around €8–€12
Can you handle special packaging or custom kits?
Absolutely, We provide tailored kitting solutions, including branded packaging, barcoding, and assembly of complex bundles. Whether you’re managing stretch goals, tiered reward levels, or unique add-ons, we ensure every backer gets exactly what they pledged for
Where is your warehouse located?
Our fulfilment centres are based in Ireland, which allows us to ship smoothly across the UK, EU, and beyond while managing VAT and customs compliance for your brand.
Can you also handle retail or ecommerce orders?
Yes. Once your campaign is fulfilled, we can continue to ship ongoing ecommerce orders and bulk shipments to retail partners, all from the same inventory.
Can I view my inventory and my order status?
Our online dashboard gives campaign owners full visibility and control in real time. Track inventory levels, monitor active orders, and make updates on the fly
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