Supplement packaging is an extremely important topic for supplement brands and supplement manufacturers. The right packaging can help you retain old customers, attract new customers, and help your brand stand out. The wrong packaging, on the other hand, could be a real turn-off for your customers, causing them to look elsewhere to fulfill their supplement needs. 

Your supplement packaging should be a strategic decision, tailored to your target market and your unique objectives. If your market is older, you might consider special easy-open packaging options. If you’re selling gummy supplements, you might consider transparent packaging. If you’re interested in expanding your market, you might consider single-use pill pouches, stick packs, or liquid shots to offer smaller samples that require less investment. 

In this article, you’ll learn all about your supplement packaging options for various supplement formats, including key considerations for different markets and the general pros and cons of each type of packaging. 

 

 

Supplement packaging for pills (capsules, tablets, and softgels) 

Packaging options for pills like tablets, capsules, and softgels generally include bottles or jars (made of plastic or glass), blister packs, and, a relatively new packaging option – pill pouches. When choosing packaging for pills, there are a couple of key points to consider. 

First and foremost, you should consider the sensitivity of your pills. Could they withstand crashing around in a bottle or would the crashing cause them to break apart? Are they highly sensitive to oxygen or moisture? If your pills are sensitive, blister packaging may be your best option. 

You should also consider how you intend for your target market to take your supplements. If your supplements are meant to be taken daily, blister packs can help your customers stay compliant. If you want to give out a small sample, pill pouches could be a good option. 

Sustainability is also a major point to consider when choosing supplement packaging. Blister packs and pill pouches take up less space in a landfill, making both options more sustainable than plastic bottles. 

 

Bottles for pills

 

Pill bottles supplement packaging

Benefits 

  • Bottles look great on a shelf. 
  • Plastic bottles are durable. 
  • Plastic bottle production is generally quite cheap.
  • Bottles offer many options in terms of opening which you can choose based on your market. 

Disadvantages

  • Plastic bottles are less sustainable. 
  • Glass bottles can break. 
  • Bottles are not the best option for supplements that are highly sensitive to movement, oxygen or moisture.  

 

Blister packs for pills

 

Benefits 

  • Blister packs are a sustainable option.
  • They’re great for sensitive pills. 
  • They help consumers stay compliant. 
  • They’re convenient for travel.

Disadvantages 

  • It takes some additional time to produce cold-pressed, foil-foil blister packs.
  • Most blister packs come in cardboard boxes which aren’t always the most durable. 

 

Pill pouches for pills 

Pill pouches supplement packaging

Benefits 

  • Pill pouches are a sustainable option. 
  • They’re great for offering samples. 
  • They make great impulse items. 
  • They’re convenient for travel.

Disadvantages 

  • They’re not very durable. 

 

 

Supplement packaging for powders

Packaging options for powders usually include canisters, pouch packaging, and stick packs. Once again, each option has its own unique set of benefits and disadvantages. 

As far as multiple-dose packaging is concerned (canisters vs. pouch packaging), canisters are the more durable option. They are less likely to puncture than pouches and also generally close easier, which is important for keeping many supplement powders fresh and long-lasting. That being said, pouches are more convenient to travel with and are also much more sustainable since they take up much less space in landfills.

For single-use powder packaging, stick packs are the way to go. Stick packs provide a way for you to offer samples of your powders to consumers and also serve as perfect impulse items.

 

Canisters for powders

 

Protein powder supplement packaging

Benefits

  • Canisters are the most durable option. 
  • They look great on a shelf. 
  • They are generally easier to close, meaning powders stay fresher for longer.

Disadvantages

  • They’re difficult to travel with. 
  • They’re generally less sustainable.

 

Pouch packaging for powders

 

Benefits 

  • Pouch packaging is a sustainable option. 
  • It’s more convenient for travel. 
  • Pouches take up less space, which often makes it easier for consumers to store them at home. 

Disadvantages

  • They’re not as durable as canisters. 
  • They don’t guarantee the same long-lasting freshness that canisters do. 

 

Single-use stick packs for powders

Stick packs supplement packaging

Source: https://www.vitalproteins.com/

Benefits 

  • Stick packs are a sustainable option. 
  • They’re great for offering samples. 
  • They make great impulse items. 
  • They’re convenient for travel.

Disadvantages 

  • They’re not very durable. 

 

 

Supplement packaging for liquids 

There are many supplement packaging options for liquid supplements, including options for both single-dose and multiple-dose liquids. 

For multiple-dose options, supplements brands can choose either bottles or liquid droppers. With bottles, consumers are typically instructed to swallow one or two tablespoons of the contents of the bottle. With liquid droppers, consumers are usually instructed to drop one or two drops of the liquid vitamin under their tongues.  

Single-dose options include small shot bottles and squeeze packs. Both have certain advantages and disadvantages for consumers. 

 

Multiple-dose bottles for liquids

Source: https://www.scdprobiotics.com/

 

Benefits 

  • Multiple-dose bottles are the preferred option for multivitamins in liquid form. 
  • Plastic bottles are more durable than liquid droppers. (Most liquid droppers are made of glass). 
  • Overdosing is less likely than with liquid droppers. 

 

Disadvantages 

  • They’re not a good option for bad-tasting liquid supplements, since consumers have to swallow up to two tablespoons. 
  • They can be messier than liquid droppers. 
  • They require more steps to use (opening, pouring, drinking, and closing) than liquid droppers, making them less convenient for consumers. 

 

 

Multiple-dose liquid droppers

Source: https://www.yoybuy.com/

Benefits 

  • Liquid droppers are the preferred option for pure vitamins in liquid form
  • They’re a better choice for bad tasting vitamins, as consumption only requires two drops. 
  • They’re a clean and convenient choice. 

Disadvantages 

  • It’s difficult to dose with droppers. (Dropping too much can lead to an overdose.) 
  • Liquid droppers are typically made of glass, making them less durable and harder to transport than plastic bottles. 

 

 

Single-dose shot bottles for liquids 

Liquid vitamins single shots

Benefits 

  • They’re great for offering samples. 
  • They make great impulse items. 
  • They’re easy to drink. 
  • They look great on the shelf.  

Disadvantages 

  • They’re not the most sustainable option. 
  • They’re inconvenient to store when buying more than one. 
  • They take up a lot of space and are, therefore, inconvenient to travel with. 

 

Single-dose squeeze packs for liquids

Source: https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/

Benefits 

  • They’re great for offering samples.
  • They make great impulse items. 
  • They’re a sustainable option. 
  • They’re convenient to store when buying more than one. 
  • They’re convenient for travel. 

Disadvantages 

  • Not everyone likes to drink through a squeeze bottle. 

 

 

Supplement packaging for gummies 

Gummy supplements are a rising trend in the supplement industry. They’re easy to take, taste good, and are highly customizable in terms of shapes, colors, and flavors. In terms of packaging gummies, the most important thing to keep in mind is the advantage of transparent packaging. If you spent time creating fun shapes and enticing colors, you’ll want to show them off. 

There are two primary types of supplement packaging for gummies – bottles and pouches. Bottles are the preferred type of packaging for gummies mostly for their durability, but pouches are also a great option. Pouches are great for selling small samples of your gummies. They’re also more convenient for travelers and make great impulse items. 

 

Bottles for gummies 

Benefits 

  • They’re the standard, preferred packaging for gummy vitamins
  • They’re durable and will protect your gummies.
  • They look great on the shelf. 

Disadvantages

  • They’re bulky and hard to travel with. 
  • They’re less sustainable. 

 

Pill pouches for gummies 

Benefits 

  • They’re great for offering samples. 
  • They make great impulse items. 
  • They’re a sustainable option. 
  • They’re convenient to store when buying more than one. 
  • They’re convenient for travel. 

Disadvantages 

  • They’re not very durable. 

 

 

Conclusions: Choosing supplement packaging 

There is a lot to keep in mind when choosing supplement packaging, but with a little help, choosing packaging can be a fun and exciting process! 

One of the best ways to ensure that you’re choosing the right packaging for your supplements is by choosing a supplement manufacturer that also handles your packaging and supplement label design. That way, you can get tips and advice from experts who not only understand packaging options but also understand the industry, your exact product, and the needs of your customers. 

Generation Nutra offers many kinds of supplement packaging options, including multiple-dose pouch packaging, blister packaging, bottles, pill pouches, and more. 

Here are some additional benefits of building your supplement brand with Generation Nutra: 

  1. Thousands of raw materials to choose from so you can create unique and personalized formulas.
  2. Advice in terms of formulation.
  3. Various packaging formats to choose from so you can customize your product. 
  4. A team of in-house graphic designers to help you design custom labels for your brand. 
  5. Advice and guidance to help you market and sell your product.

 

 

Ask Generation Nutra what we can do for you.

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