Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
How do I find and verify a specific bottle design for spirits packaging?
Finding a specific bottle design often requires working with multiple suppliers and being flexible on exact matches, as bottles are frequently sold under different names across markets. - **Bruni** — members recommend checking their Belleville bottle as a similar option to hard-to-trace designs; ask about cork vs GPI (screw-top) specifications - **Kefla** — suggested as another supplier for bottles with similar profiles to uncommon designs - **Cross-reference by specifications** — if you can't find a bottle by name, try searching by key specs: identify whether it's cork mouth or GPI (threaded), the volume (e.g. 70cl), and the general shape, then approach suppliers with those details - **Expect variation** — clients may have very specific bottle requirements that don't exactly match standard lines; be prepared to show samples or negotiate on near-matches rather than exact replicas When sourcing, having the cork/GPI specification and volume locked down first makes it much easier to track down similar bottles across European suppliers.
Where can we source glass bottles (35cl, 375ml, and used/recycled) in the UK, and what are the typical suppliers and contacts?
Members have identified a few UK suppliers for off-the-shelf bottles, though availability varies. For custom or bulk orders, China remains an option but requires careful quality control. **UK suppliers for stock bottles:** - **Chapman (AEC Chapman)** — Contact Andre at aec@aechapman.com or 020 7622 4414 (email response can be slow). Confirmed to stock 35cl bottles. - **Bruni** — Reported to have some 35cl availability. - **Stoelzle, Allied, Croxsons** — Members tried these for 35cl but reported limited help. **Custom/bulk sourcing:** - **Chinese manufacturers** — Recent pricing for a custom 500g spirits bottle (Super Flint glass) came in at $0.42 USD per piece FOB for 18,000-piece loads (40HQ container). Mold fees: $650 for sample mold, $1,500 for bulk mold. Timeline: 3 weeks for sample mold, 1 week for samples, 3 weeks for bulk mold, 2 weeks for mass production. Members noted prices have dropped significantly (containers previously $14k), making them more viable, but quality control is a major trade-off risk. **Used/de-labelled bottles:** One member asked about sourcing used, cleaned, de-labelled bottles, but the discussion did not yield confirmed suppliers—the question was raised but no concrete recommendations followed. **Caveats:** Standard UK suppliers (Stoelzle, Allied, Croxsons) may not stock every size. For 375ml specifically, no confirmed UK supplier emerged from the discussion. Chinese options require upfront mold investment and longer lead times, with potential quality issues to manage.
What are current lead times and pricing for custom bottle sourcing from China versus Europe?
Members recently compared China sourcing costs and found them more competitive than historical rates, though quality control remains a consideration. **Pricing and specifications (China FOB):** - **0.42 USD per piece** for a custom 500ml Super Flint spirits bottle (lightweight), quoted for 18,000-piece 40HQ container loads - Packing via pallet with paper dividers **Tooling and setup costs:** - **Sample mold fee: $650 USD** - **Bulk production mold fee: $1,500 USD** - Bottle drawing design: 2–3 working days **Lead times from order:** - Sample mold creation: 3 weeks - Sample marking/proofing: 1 week - Bulk production mold: 3 weeks - Mass production run: 2 weeks **Market context:** Members noted that China pricing has become significantly more attractive recently—historically container tooling could cost $14k, making small runs unviable. Current pricing appears more accessible. However, **the main trade-off flagged is potential quality control issues**, requiring careful vetting of suppliers and thorough sampling before committing to bulk orders.
Where can I source PET 5cl bottles, particularly with custom colours?
For small-format 5cl PET bottles with custom colour options, members have successfully used **Embaco** (www.embaco.com). They offer custom colours and tops — one member recently received a quote for blue bottles with pink tops. The supplier was reported as helpful and responsive to inquiries. This appears to be the go-to option for this size and customisation level within the community.