How to find a co-packer: a step-by-step guide for small brands

Step 1: Get your product ready to be quoted

Co-packers quote from specifics. Before you reach out:

• Settle the formula, or know exactly what's still changing. Have it written by weight, not by cups and spoons.
• Measure what matters for your product: pH and water activity for sauces and shelf-stable foods, Brix and CO2 for drinks, moisture for dry goods.
• Know your safety classification. Acidified foods, low-acid canned foods and juices have specific federal rules and filings. A process authority (many university food science programs offer this) can tell you what applies and set your scheduled process.
• Know your shelf life target, and whether you have data for it. See shelf life testing quotes.

If you aren't there yet, look for co-packers that offer product development, and say so up front.

Step 2: Decide what you want the co-packer to do

• Turnkey: the plant sources ingredients and packaging, makes and packs the product. Simpler, and the unit price is higher.
• Tolling: you supply some or all ingredients and packaging; the plant charges to make and pack. Lower unit price, but you carry inventory and coordination.
• Extras: formulation help, storage, labeling, kitting, shipping to distributors.

Step 3: Define package and volumes

Write down the exact package (container, size, closure, label, case pack) and your numbers: first run size, expected reorder size and frequency, number of SKUs, and where it ships. Plant minimums are the biggest filter. Larger plants generally only take larger runs, and smaller plants take smaller ones.

Step 4: Write a one-page brief

Send every plant the same brief. A good brief covers:

Our free RFQ Builder can help you write it.

Step 5: Build a long list

Places small brands find co-packers:

• University food science and extension programs, which often know regional plants
• State departments of agriculture and state food or "made in" programs
• Your packaging and ingredient suppliers, who know which plants run their products
• Trade shows and industry associations for your category
• Co-packer directories and marketplaces
• Other founders in your category

Aim for a list of plants that run your process and package, not just your product category.

Step 6: Send the brief and compare quotes line by line

Ask for a line-item quote in a fixed unit: per-unit or per-case fee, ingredients and packaging (if turnkey), setup and new-product fees, changeover or batch fees, lab fees, storage, and deposit and payment terms. Put the quotes in one table before you look at the bottom line. Gaps in what's included are where small brands get surprised.

Step 7: Vet your top two or three

Questions worth asking each finalist:

• Can you make my product the way I need it made (process, ingredients, particulates, package)?
• What's your minimum for a first run, and for reorders?
• How far ahead do I book, and how do you handle rush or seasonal demand?
• Can you provide the certifications I need?
• What food safety system do you run (a Preventive Controls or HACCP plan), and can I see your most recent inspection or third-party audit report?
• Who files required FDA process documents, and under whose registration?
• How do you control allergens and changeovers?
• Who sources and stores my ingredients, packaging and finished goods?
• Do you require product liability insurance, and should the plant be named as additional insured?
• Can you grow with me if volume rises?
• Can I talk to a current client and tour the facility?

Step 8: Run a pilot and put it in a contract

Attend the first run if you can. Before you scale, get a written agreement covering product specifications and tolerances, quality checks and records you'll receive, pricing and how it can change, minimums and scheduling, ownership and confidentiality of your formula, handling of rejected product, recall responsibilities, and insurance.

Co-packer vs. co-manufacturer

The terms overlap, and plants use them loosely. Generally, a co-packer (contract packer) packages and labels a product, and often makes it too. A co-manufacturer (co-man) emphasizes making the product, often with more formulation or process development involvement. In practice, ask each plant exactly which steps it handles rather than relying on the label.

How PostRequest helps

PostRequest handles steps 5 and 6 for you. Describe your product once; our agents shortlist co-packers that match your process and package, email each one your brief from a PostRequest address, follow up once, and send you a side-by-side comparison of price, minimums, lead time, and terms. Plants don't see your name or company until you choose to connect. During early access, a person on our team reviews every comparison before it reaches you. Timing depends on how quickly plants reply.