The item will be placed in a waterproof plastic bag, with as much air removed as possible, and then shipped in a shipping bag. Please refrain from purchasing if you are concerned about imperfections such as fraying or odors, as this is a used item and has been inspected by a non-professional. The color may appear slightly different depending on the lighting. I have a cat, so I will take care when packaging, but there is a possibility that cat hair may be included. Please comment if you have any questions.