The same sauce in a glass bottle or a stand-up pouch makes two very different products: different unit cost, different shipping cost, different feel in the shopper’s hand. Here is what to weigh for each common format.
Bottles
Bottles suit liquid products such as fish sauce, dipping sauces and BBQ sauce. Glass feels premium but is heavy and breakable in transit. Plastic is lighter and cheaper, and works well for e-commerce and restaurants.
Jars
Jars suit thicker or chunky products such as garlic-chilli sauce, satay and dipping salts. The wide mouth makes them easy to use. Glass jars are a common choice for gift and premium ranges.
Cans
Metal cans protect the product well from light and air, which suits hotpot seasonings, concentrated bases and regional specialities that need a long shelf life. Cans are also robust over long distances, so many brands choose them for export.
Stand-up pouches and bulk pouches
Stand-up pouches are light and save warehouse space and freight, a good fit for marinades and single-use sauces. Large pouches or jerry cans are the economical choice for restaurants and kitchens using product in volume.
Sachets
Sachets work for meal kits, combos, promotions and trial packs. The cost per unit of product is usually higher, but they make it easy for customers to try something new.
Three questions to decide quickly
- Where will it sell? Supermarket shelves need standout packs; restaurants need large, economical formats; online needs light, breakage-resistant packaging.
- How long must it last? Export and long-distance distribution usually call for more protective packaging.
- What is the target price? Packaging can be a significant share of unit cost, so balance it against your selling price.
One formula can go into several formats: bottles for retail, large pouches for restaurants, sachets for kits. At Cicook you can choose jars, bottles, cans, pouches, sachets or bulk, with labels printed to your design. Contact Cicook for advice on the right format for your product and channel.
Compiled and edited by the Cicook editorial team from the sources listed under References. For information only; please check the original documents before making business decisions.