There are all kinds of considerations for emerging Cannabis business owners, especially with shifting ground at the federal level and each state trying to navigate its own terrain. While paying attention to the ongoing conversation is critical, so is doing your own diligence – reading and researching and identifying those practices that are going to keep your business at its best from the beginning.
One of the things to consider is the way you package and label your products.
How you package and label is an important part of remaining compliant, following proper chain of custody, and keeping your products traceable through their lifecycle. There are other additional benefits to carefully considering and selecting the ways in which you package and label your Cannabis. Such things as product protection, business marketing, and cost-effectiveness.
It's not too early to be thinking about your packaging and labelling options and understanding the benefits of doing these well.
SELECTING THE RIGHT PACKAGING FOR YOUR PRODUCT
With Cannabis being added to food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, and beauty products, there is a variety of forms, shapes, weights, and consistencies that your final product may come in. Not every product is going to be best suited for a bag, a bottle, or a vial.
The final form or condition your product takes should influence the type of packaging and material that is best. Consider, too, that you may have one packaging for the product itself and another for shipping. The type of packaging will also denote the labelling options – the dimensions, how much text you can be provided, if there is room for a logo or design, etc.
THE IMPORTANCE OF LABELLING
Your labeling options are even more critical than the packaging itself. Appropriate labelling will be critical in keeping you compliant and therefore out of trouble. With the adequate information provided on your label, your final product will be ready for track-and-trace if/when needed. For those labels that cannot provide all the necessary information because of size limitations – for example, consider the narrow wraparound label that might be placed on a vial – you’ll want to consider how you’ll ensure all required information still gets placed with the product and moves through the chain of custody.
The placement of the label will also be important. Both the way the label is positioned on the product and on the package (for shipping) should be considered. Are there any ways a label may be placed that skew the information provided or make it more difficult for those to read the information? What kind of material is the label made from and what about the quality of the ink? Do either have a more durable material to remain in-tact regardless of the wear-and-tear they’ll experience making its way to the end consumer?
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT PACKAGE AND LABEL
Knowing your packaging materials for your various products will help you in budgeting and being more cost-effective because you won’t be taking a one-size-fits-all approach. When it comes to the product itself, you can select the right package for the right product with cost precision.
When it comes to shipping materials, you can do away with paying for the largest parcel with the highest mailing cost for even your smallest of products. Appropriately packaging your product at the outset – vial, bag, box, tin, etc. – and then also pairing that with the right shipping materials, will have you calculating your costs with more accuracy and less overspend. Additionally, in having selected the right packaging for shipping, you’re also protecting that product in transit. The more durable and secure packaging with a custom fit to the product inside, the safer your product now is for delivery. Lastly, if you have also taken care in ensuring your labeling and packaging is nice to look at – colorful, designed well, branded to your business – than the presentation of your product goes a long way in impressing your end customer. They’ll see your product as something of quality, they’ll remember your business, and may be a repeat spender or tell all their friends (which is what you want).
Start paying attention to how you package and label.
Your business may only be emerging, but you need to consider the importance of packaging and labelling. Even if these concerns aren’t relevant until the end of the product’s lifecycle, you need to be equipped ahead of time. Start looking into your options for solid packaging and labeling solutions. Start with a conversation with us. 
