Glass Jar vs. Mylar Bag: Which Cannabis Packaging Is Right for Your Brand?
Choosing between packaging types is a critical decision for cannabis brands. This one choice carries a lot of weight; it impacts your overall product cost, customer reception of your brand, product quality, and scalability.
As a leading supplier of wholesale and customer cannabis packaging, Vertical Supply knows how impactful the decision between packaging types is. This guide explores the benefits of glass jars vs. Mylar bags for cannabis packaging.
Why Cannabis Packaging Matters So Much
Without hyperbole, the right kind of cannabis packaging can be a make-or-break decision for a cannabis brand. If a brand chooses a cheap route to save money, it can quickly establish a reputation for subpar products and disappointing customer experiences.
On the other hand, the right packaging preserves the flower (or other cannabis product) for the customer so well that opening it becomes a memorable and exciting experience.
Mylar Bags
Mylar bags are made of speciality polylester, laid in layers. The inner layer is made of food-grade plastic, while the middle layer is a barrier made of aluminum or metalized film, and the outer layer is a durable, heat-resistant layer. These bags provide protection against light, moisture, and oxygen.
Vertical Supply offers customization on mylar bags so you can easily add resealable zippers, child-resistant closures, and branding.
Glass Jars
A classic and timeless way to store weed, glass jars offer an insulated, reliable airtight seal that keeps flower fresh and aromatic.
Comparing Mylar Bags vs Glass Jars for Cannabis Packaging
Humidity and Freshness Retention
- Glass jars have airtight lids that offer premium humidity control and freshness retention for cannabis flower and other products. These work best for odor control and long-term seal.
- Mylar bags have heat seals and zippers that are most effective for short term use. They offer excellent odor control and light protection while also being durable.
Shelf Presentation
- Glass jars are eye-catching, particularly for top-shelf flower with trichomes and color that will catch customer attention.
- Mylar bags offer many customization options so you can create highly branded packages that are instantly recognizable.
Premium Perception
- Glass jars instantly offer the perception of premium products with a sleek, clean look.
- Mylar bags
Compliance Differences by State
- Glass jars offer child-resistant lid options
- Mylar bags can be customized with child-resistant zippers and tamper-evident seals
Sustainability
- Glass jars are reusable and recyclable, creating a great opportunity for a dispensary or brand-led recycling program.
- Some mylar bags can be recycled, depending on what they’re made of.
Cost Per Unit
- Glass jars are a larger investment up-front, with added weight that increases shipping costs.
- Mylar bags are a highly cost-effective option, particularly when ordered in bulk.
| Mylar Bags | Glass Jars | |
| Freshness Retention | Great | Top-tier |
| Odor Prevention | Good | Great |
| Shelf Presentation | Good | Great |
| Premium Perception | Less so | Yes |
| Compliance | Complaint options available | Complaint options available |
| Cost | Most cost-effective | Bigger investment |
| Customization | Yes | Less surface area for branding |
Best Packaging for Cannabis Products by Type
Flower
Keeping flower fresh during shipping and while on a dispensary shelf is crucial to the success of cannabis companies – no consumer wants dry flower that crumbles in a grinder.
Glass jars are the industry standard for flower preservation. But when shipping bulk quantities of flower, thick mylar provides an advantage of not adding extra weight like glass does while still preserving freshness and terpene profiles.
Prerolls
Glass doob tubes are the best way to keep prerolls and blunts fresh between rolling the product and when the customer finally lights it up.
Aluminum tins offer another airtight packaging option that is slightly lighter than glass. Plastic should be avoided here.
Concentrates
Once again, glass jars offer unbeatable preservation powers, keeping a concentrate potent and flavorful from the moment it leaves the packaging line until a customer opens it for the first time (and the second, and third…)
Many concentrates customers are particularly discerning about product quality. Since packaging has a major impact on how fresh, flavorful, and potent a concentrate is, investing in quality packaging goes a long way towards building positive product experiences and repeat customers.
Plastic concentrate packages are lighter than glass but typically priced about the same per unit.
Edibles
Mylar bags are a popular choice for edibles, particularly for gummies, single pieces of chocolate, and candy. These bags are light, easy to transport, and offer an airtight seal against oxygen. Aluminum tins offer another good option and can be more memorable for a brand in a sea of mylar bags.
Key Takeaways
- Branded packaging may be the first impression a customer has of a cannabis company
- Both mylar bags and glass jars are popular packaging options for cannabis.
- Glass jars are better suited for flower, pre-rolls, and concentrates.
- Mylar bags are preferred for edibles and bulk flower.
- Proper packaging selection improves shelf life, freshness, and consumer trust.
FAQ
- Why do dispensaries use Mylar bags?
Mylar bags are a popular form of cannabis packaging because they’re cost-effective, lightweight, and easily designable. They also offer great odor control.
- How long will Mylar bags last?
Mylar bags work best for short-term storage for cannabis flower and are most effective within 6 months.
- Are Mylar bags better than glass jars?
Mylar bags and glass jars are both useful for specific types of cannabis products. Glass jars are reusable, airtight, and insulated. Mylar bags are durable, cost-effective, and easily customizable.
Versatile, High-Performance Cannabis Packaging at Prices You’ll Love
Whether you need glass jars or mylar bags, wholesale orders or customized requests, Vertical Supply Co is here to help you get it right. Our team helps you find the right kinds of cannabis packaging, create visually striking designs, and adhere to state-level compliance requirements.
Ready for packaging that works as hard as your product does? Partner with Vertical Supply to create reliable, compliant, thoughtful packaging that tells your story and keeps your product fresh.
