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.
What are the options for overprinting or digitally finishing existing can inventory?
Members explored digital printing as an alternative to relabelling canned inventory, but the discussion revealed limited practical experience and significant logistical challenges with the main alternative, sleeving. **Digital printing over existing cans** — Members asked about this option but no one in the group reported successful direct experience with digital overprinting cans. This remains an unproven route within the community. **Can sleeves** — **Berkshire Labels** offers sleeving services. However, members strongly cautioned against this approach despite its theoretical appeal: - Sleeving introduces severe logistical friction: cans must be sent from the bottler to a specialist sleever, then returned (typically 2 weeks turnaround), then prepped and filled. This creates two sets of logistics costs. - The economics don't work: sleeve cost (10–12p) plus application cost (10p) totals 20–22p pure additional spend, versus the savings on the can itself being negligible. - Very few manufacturers can sleeve and fill in-house, forcing inventory to move between multiple facilities. - Member verdict: "Sleeves = hell" and the process is described as money-wasted versus digital print alternatives. **Overlabelling** — One member mentioned trying this (overlabelling cans with a new label), but reported it was "not a success" and cautioned it may not deliver the desired result. The overall consensus is that neither sleeving nor overlabelling have proven reliable or cost-effective within the group's experience, and direct digital overprinting of cans remains untested.
Which suppliers offer small-run customised wooden gift boxes for spirits brands?
Members have successfully sourced small-run customised wooden gift boxes through specialist suppliers. For runs as small as 25 units: - **Wine Box Company (WBC)** — www.wbc.co.uk — noted as having no minimum order requirement, making them suitable for small-batch orders. - **Custom engraving service** — Members have also used independent engravers who will work on boxes you've already purchased and send to them, offering flexibility if you source blanks elsewhere. When approaching suppliers for small quantities, be clear about your run size upfront (e.g., 25 units) to confirm they can accommodate. Members recommend checking lead times before committing.
Where can I find suppliers for custom pump heads and tap handles for alcoholic beverage dispensing?
Members have identified two key suppliers for custom pump heads and tap handles: - **Smith & Matthias** — has made custom pump heads for branded venues (example cited: Camden location) - **taphandles.com** — supplies custom tap handles and pump heads, ships to Europe as well as the UK When sourcing, check whether suppliers can handle the level of customisation and intricacy you need, as this affects lead time and cost.