Moving from making a few jars at home to producing something you can sell is an exciting step. It can also leave you wondering how much packaging you actually need.

Do you buy one case? Six cases? A pallet?

The sensible answer for most growing makers is simple: start with what you can realistically use, learn how quickly you get through it, and increase your order quantities as your sales become more predictable.

You do not have to jump straight from a small batch to a warehouse full of glass jars.


How many glass jars should you order when starting out?

For a first commercial batch, starting with a case can make good sense.

It gives you enough jars to put your production process through its paces without tying up too much money or storage space in packaging.

That first case can also teach you quite a lot.

You may discover that a different jar size works better for your product, that your label needs adjusting, or that filling and closing takes longer than expected. You might find one size sells much faster than another.

It is much easier to make those changes when you have ordered sensibly rather than committing to a much larger quantity too early.

At Bottle Company South, we supply makers at different stages, from first batches through to established businesses ordering by the pallet.


When should you reorder your jars?

The best time to reorder is before you are staring at your last empty case with orders waiting to be filled.

Once you have completed a few production runs, keep a simple note of how many jars you are using each week or month.

For example, if you are regularly filling two cases a month, you can start planning your next order based on that rate rather than guessing.

Remember to allow for busy periods too. Christmas, farmers' markets, food festivals, wholesale orders and new stockists can suddenly increase the number of jars you need.

A useful habit is to ask yourself three questions:

  • How many jars are we using in a normal month?
  • Is there anything coming up that could increase demand?
  • How much storage space do we actually have?

That last question matters. A cheaper unit price is not much help if you have nowhere sensible to keep the extra glass.


When does it make sense to move up to several cases?

As sales become more consistent, ordering several cases at a time can make life easier.

You spend less time placing repeat orders, you have more packaging ready for production days, and you can plan batches with greater confidence.

This is often the point where a maker starts to feel like a proper production business rather than someone constantly buying packaging for the next batch.

There is no need to rush it, though.

If your sales are still changing from month to month, keeping orders closer to what you know you can use may be the better option. Once you are repeatedly getting through the same jar, lid and size combination, increasing the quantity becomes much easier to justify.


Can I collect glass jars from Bottle Company South?

Yes. If you are ordering 6 or more cases, warehouse collection from our Keynsham base can be arranged in advance.

Please contact us before travelling to collect.

We are a working warehouse, so we need notice to make sure your order is picked and ready for you.

For growing producers in and around Bristol, Bath and the surrounding area, collection can be a useful option once orders reach that sort of size.


When should you start thinking about pallet quantities?

A pallet starts to make sense when you have moved beyond wondering whether you will use the jars and are instead wondering how quickly you will use them.

Perhaps you have regular wholesale customers. Maybe your production schedule is fixed several weeks ahead. You may be supplying shops, hospitality businesses or larger markets and events.

At that stage, it is worth speaking to us about the quantities you need rather than simply adding more and more cases to an online order.

Tell us what jar you are using, roughly how many you need and how often you expect to order. We can talk through the options with you.

That conversation can be useful before you reach pallet quantities too. If you need more than the pack sizes listed on the website, give us a call and ask.


Do I need an account to order glass jars?

No account is required to place an order.

That means a new maker can order packaging without having to go through an account-opening process first. If you already know which jars and lids you need, you can order through the website.

If you are not sure, call or email us.

It is often easier to spend a few minutes talking through what you are filling, the size you are considering and the sort of quantities you expect to use than to buy the wrong packaging and discover the problem afterwards.


Grow your jar orders when your business grows

Going commercial does not mean you need to buy everything in bulk from day one.

Start with a case if that suits your first production runs. Keep an eye on how quickly you use your jars. Reorder before stocks become uncomfortable, and move up to several cases when your sales justify it.

When you reach 6 or more cases, you can also speak to us about arranging collection from Keynsham.

And when regular case orders start turning into bigger requirements, give us a call. We supply glass jars and bottles from first cases through to pallet quantities, so you can increase your packaging orders when the business is ready for it.

Not sure what quantity makes sense for your next run? Get in touch with the Bottle Company South team by phone or email and talk it through with us.