Choose the Right Concentrate Container in Two Weeks: What You'll Achieve
In 14 days you will stop guessing whether a "1 ml" jar holds your formula, avoid three costly reorders, and place a single correct bulk order. You'll be able to convert between ml and grams for common concentrate types, pick the right lid and material, and know when to request a physical sample before committing to 1,000 units. You'll also learn the practical checks that tell you a vendor's spec sheet is trustworthy.
Before You Start: What You Need on Hand to Measure and Order Containers
Gather these basic tools and information before you contact vendors or fill your cart. Not having them is the reason my first two orders failed.
- Digital scale accurate to 0.01 g (cost: $15–$40). I use a 0.01 g scale for small samples. Small graduated syringe or pipette for measuring ml (1 ml, 3 ml, 5 ml options — $3–$8 each). Samples of each concentrate you sell: a gram of thick paste, 1 g of soft oil, and a flaky solid (shatter-like). Thermometer that reads 0-100 C if you heat samples to measure flow (optional). Notes from previous orders: SKU numbers, vendor spec sheets, photos of product-in-container from past batches. Local packaging regs checklist: child-resistant rules, labeling, and material restrictions. Price for compliant lids varies: $0.12–$0.40 extra per unit.
Quick Win: How to Verify a Vendor in 10 Minutes
- Ask for a single free sample or a paid sample with shipping. Reputable vendors usually do a paid sample for $3–$15. Send a photo of your concentrate next to a ruler or coin, then compare in person when sample arrives. If the vendor refuses to provide a simple photo or sample, move on.
Your Complete Container Selection Roadmap: 8 Steps from Measure to Perfect Order
This is what I did after three failed orders. Follow each step, test, then lock in quantities.
Step 1 — Identify the physical state of each concentrate you sell
Classify each product as: thin oil, medium-viscosity oil, paste/budder, brittle solid, or hybrid. Each behaves differently in the same jar. Example: a CBD distillate (thin) pours; rosin (sticky) clings to walls.
Step 2 — Measure density for your core products
Use your scale and syringe: tare an empty syringe, draw 1.0 ml of product, weigh it. Repeat 3 times and average. That gives you density in g/ml. Typical ranges:
- Thin distillate oils: 0.88–0.95 g/ml Thicker oils and balms: 0.95–1.05 g/ml Dense waxes or solids when melted: 0.90–1.10 g/ml
Example measurement: I drew 1.0 ml of my rosin and recorded 0.92 g, so my rosin density ≈ 0.92 g/ml.
Step 3 — Convert target fill weights to ml using measured density
Formula: required ml = grams you want / density (g/ml). If you need a 1.0 g portion of something at 0.92 g/ml, you need about 1.09 ml of volume.
Use the table below for quick reference (values are volume needed to hold 1 gram):
Density (g/ml)Volume to hold 1 g (ml) 0.851.18 0.921.09 1.001.00 1.100.91Don't rely on a default 1 g = 1 ml assumption unless you've measured your product.
Step 4 — Match container type to product behavior
Choose material and finish with these rules of thumb:
- Sticky concentrates: glass jars with wide mouths and smooth interiors to reduce waste. Consider 5 g glass jars for 1–3 g fills so the product is easy to scoop. Oils that pour: small amber glass droppers or PET syringes; label as ml capacity with graduated marking. Crystalline/brittle products: shallow tins or rigid jars to protect structure. Silicone jars: great for tacky products during sampling, but many buyers dislike them for long-term storage. Also check local regulations—some markets ban silicone for sale containers.
Step 5 — Order physical samples, not just spec sheets
Order at least three candidate container samples. Price is normally $1–$8 per sample. Test fills, cap fit, and labeling placement. In one failed order I trusted a vendor's "1 g jar" spec without a sample — the product overflowed on first fill.
Step 6 — Test real-world fills and aging
Fill each sample with a realistic portion: do a 1 g fill, a 2 g fill, and a full-fill. Store samples at room temp and at 30 C for a week to check leakage, lid creep, or cap discoloration. Sticky products may migrate under the lid; if so, choose a liner or switch to a different cap.
Step 7 — Confirm labeling and compliance fit
Apply your final label to a filled jar and check readability, placement, and whether the label peels when oil touches it. Count on label shrinkage if you heat-shrink tamper bands. Add child-resistant cap testing if required — many vendors offer CRC lids for an extra $0.08–$0.30 per unit.
Step 8 — Place a small production run before a full bulk order
Instead of ordering 5,000 units, order 250–500. Real-world packing reveals issues spec sheets miss. This cost trades off against the expense of rework and customer returns. Example costs: a 5 g glass jar might be $0.35 each at 1,000 units, $0.50 at 250 units. That extra $0.15 per unit is cheap compared to a failed run.
Avoid These 7 Ordering Mistakes That Waste Time and Money
- Assuming 1 g equals 1 ml. That led to my first failed order. Ordering by internal capacity while ignoring lid fit and labeling space. Skipping a physical sample because "the spec looks fine". Specs lie or omit crucial tolerances. Neglecting children's safety rules in your jurisdiction. Noncompliant returns are costly. Using silicone for long-term storage without testing aroma transfer and consumer acceptance. Not testing shipping conditions. Heat in transit can turn a stable paste into a leak if the lid fails. Buying the cheapest option without checking machining tolerances. Cheap jars often have poor threads and uneven lids.
Pro Sizing and Packaging Strategies for Different Concentrate Types
This section moves beyond the basics and helps you optimize for packaging cost, product preservation, and user experience.
Strategy: Charge-by-dose packaging
If you sell measured doses, package by mass not volume. For example, if your market sells 0.25 g doses, provide 4 x 0.25 g single-serve jars or one 1 g jar with clear break points. Single-serve blister packs cost more per unit but improve perceived value.
Strategy: Over-capacity for sticky products
Order a jar with 10-20% extra headspace for sticky products so that scooping is easier. If you regularly fill 2 g of rosin at density 0.92 g/ml, pick a jar with at least 2.2–2.4 ml inner volume to avoid overflow and mess.
Strategy: Liner and gasket choices
Never assume the stock cap seals well with oil. Request caps with PE foam liners or induction seals for liquid oils. Price impact: a standard screw cap might be $0.05; a lined CRC cap $0.20; an induction seal $0.06 per unit.
Strategy: Custom BIC lighters and accessories
If you offer promotional items or add-on merch, custom BIC lighters are widely available and often cheap in bulk. Typical pricing: $0.60–$1.20 each for 500–2,000 units depending on print complexity. Expect setup fees of $40–$120 for simple one-color prints and $150+ for full-color wraps. Use custom lighters as gift-with-purchase, not core packaging, and ensure the promotional print does not conflict with local advertising rules for regulated products.
When Orders Go Wrong: Troubleshooting Failed Container Shipments
My three failed orders taught me how to triage shipments quickly. Follow this checklist to limit fallout.
Inspect on arrival in a controlled area
Open a random sample of 10 units from each pallet immediately, not from the top of the stack. Look for broken lids, warped threads, and cap liners missing. Document with 3–5 photos per issue.
If product overflows or doesn't fit
Re-measure product density and re-check your fill volumes against the vendor's stated internal volume. Often the vendor measures to the shoulder, not to the brim. You may need a larger jar or reduce fill weight slightly.
If lids leak during shipping
Try swapping liners: add induction seals for liquids or switch to lined CRC caps. If several lids fail, request a vendor-run torque test report and ask for tighter thread tolerances.
When labels peel or smear
Use solvent-resistant inks or different label adhesives. Consider printing directly on glass for products that get oily often; glass printing adds $0.03–$0.12 per unit but saves returns.
Long-term storage problems
If the product changes consistency or migrates into the cap over weeks, conduct a 30-day accelerated aging test at 40 C to recreate the issue quickly. If migration occurs, use barrier liners or switch cap materials.
Extra: Price Examples and Practical Vendor Questions
Knowing what to ask saves time and gets better quotes. Here are real-world price ranges and suggested questions.
- 1–5 g clear glass jars: $0.20–$0.60 each at 1,000 units, $0.30–$0.80 at 250 units. Amber glass dropper bottles, 1–10 ml: $0.45–$1.20 each at 1,000 units. Child-resistant lids: add $0.08–$0.30 per unit depending on spec. Custom BIC lighters: $0.60–$1.20 each for 500–2,000 pieces. Setup $40–$150.
Questions to ask a vendor:
Can you send a filled sample with my product or a comparable oil at no more than $10 shipping? What is the internal usable volume measured to the shoulder? Can you provide CAD or a dimension drawing? What tolerance do you hold on thread dimensions and cap torque? Can I order a short production run of 250–500 to validate before committing to the full MOQ? Can you provide a packaging certificate for materials and food-contact safety, if applicable?Final Notes — Honest Reality about Getting It Right
This process is easier than it looks if you measure first and pay for a sample. It's harder than it looks if you try to save by skipping tests. The most expensive lesson is learning your product's quirks after a bulk order lands at your packing bench. Expect to spend $50–$200 to validate jars and lids properly. That sounds like www.brandmydispo.com waste until you compare it to the cost of rework, shipping returns, and angry customers.
Make the first small sample order and the small production run non-negotiable steps in your process. Once you have a working pairing of product and package, document the density, fill weight, jar internal volume, preferred cap, and label placement. That spec sheet will save you from repeating my three failed orders.