Supplement carton
18pt SBS200 minimum · 10 to 14 business daysA supplement carton is a folding carton sized for a capsule or tablet bottle, on 18pt SBS with a straight tuck or crash lock base and a back panel laid out for the supplement facts label. We produce them from 200 units in 10 to 14 business days after proof, for 60 to 120 count bottles, usually 2 by 2 by 3.5 to 3 by 3 by 5.5 inches.
When to choose it, and when not to
Choose a supplement carton when the bottle sells on a shelf, in a subscription box, or online where the listing photo needs a printed pack behind it. A carton gives you three more panels than a bottle label, which is where the supplement facts, the directions and the disclaimer fit without being squeezed. It also protects a glass bottle inside a mailer and stops a plastic bottle scuffing. This is packaging guidance, not legal advice; reserve panel space for the text your regulator requires.
Choose a supplement pouch if the product is a powder or a gummy sold by weight, since a pouch with a zipper reseals and a carton does not. Choose a seal end carton if the retailer wants a tamper evident closure on the outer pack in addition to the bottle seal.
Specifications
| Board | 18pt SBS, 20pt for glass bottles over 4 ounces |
|---|---|
| Offset CMYK, one color, Pantone match | |
| Finish | Matte or gloss aqueous, soft-touch or gloss lamination, spot UV, foil |
| Closure | Straight tuck end, or crash lock base for glass |
| Insert | Optional paperboard collar or platform for glass |
| Facts panel | Back panel reserved for supplement facts, ingredients and disclaimer |
| Minimum | 200 units |
| Lead time | 10 to 14 business days after proof |
| Ships | Flat, glued, in bundles of 50 |
| Sizes we run | 2 x 2 x 3.5 in 2.25 x 2.25 x 4 in 2.5 x 2.5 x 4.5 in 3 x 3 x 5.5 in any size from 1.5 x 1.5 x 2.5 to 6 x 6 x 10 in |
Materials that suit it
Questions people ask
What size carton fits a 60 count bottle?
A standard 60 count 150 cc packer bottle is about 2 inches across and 3.5 inches tall with the cap, so it fits a 2.25 by 2.25 by 4 inch carton. A 120 count 250 cc bottle is about 2.5 by 4.5. Bottle molds vary by supplier, so send us the bottle or its drawing and we size the carton to it with a finger of clearance.
Where does the supplement facts panel go?
On the back panel, in a zone we reserve on the dieline before you place artwork. Directions and the disclaimer go beside it or on a side panel. Type down to about 0.06 in cap height stays legible on offset. We lay out the zones; the wording and what you may claim are between you and your regulator, not us.
Does a plastic bottle need an insert?
No. A plastic packer bottle sits fine in a straight tuck carton on 18pt with a finger of clearance. A glass bottle over 4 ounces should have a crash lock base so the weight sits on board, and a paperboard collar if it ships inside a mailer. Glass amber bottles for liquid supplements are the usual case for that.
Which finish suits a supplement brand?
Gloss lamination for bright, clinical color on a white carton. Matte aqueous for a natural or plant based brand on white or kraft. Soft-touch for a premium or beauty-from-within line. All three take a spot UV logo. Gloss shows fingerprints least on a retail shelf, which is why chain pharmacies are full of it.
Can I run different SKUs on one order?
Yes. If the carton size is the same and only the artwork changes, we can run several SKUs in one order from 200 units each. A line of five supplements in the same bottle is the common case. Each SKU gets its own proof and dieline check. Different carton sizes are separate orders because the die changes.
How is the supplement carton different from the supplement pouch?
The carton is a folding box around a bottle, 18pt SBS with a straight tuck or a crash lock base for glass and a back panel for the supplement facts. It adds shelf presence; the bottle does the barrier work. The supplement pouch is the container: a foil laminate stand up or flat bottom bag with a resealable zipper, for powders, capsules and gummies sold by weight. The carton starts at 200 units in 10 to 14 business days after proof; the pouch at 200 units in 10 to 14 business days. Bottled products suit the carton; bulk powders and refills suit the pouch.
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Ready to price your supplement carton?
Send the size and quantity for a quote and a dieline, usually within one business day. Your digital proof follows, usually within one business day of your artwork. Design help and the Swatch Book of materials are free.