7 Best Pre-Roll Packaging Companies for Cannabis Brands

Whether you’re already in the industry or looking to break into new markets, there’s no denying that pre-rolls are one of the fastest-moving SKUs in cannabis retail. 

But as pre-rolls become more popular, consumers grow more discerning. Proper packaging is one of the many ways you can stand out – it can help you preserve the freshness, shelf life, and general desirability of your pre-rolls. 

Even more, the process in which you package as a manufacturer can greatly affect your compliance standing, labor requirements (and costs), throughput, and reject rates. 

That makes packaging decisions that much more important when setting up or reconfiguring your production workflows. Packaging decisions that work at low volume often fail at scale. 

While many cannabis packaging companies exist, very few specialize in pre-rolls – that’s why you have to be careful when choosing a packaging partner.

In this guide, we’ll help you make that decision. From labor expectations to volume and ROI, we’ll cover every aspect of pre-roll packaging companies and how they’ll affect your bottom line. 

A Quick Look: Best Pre-Roll Packaging Options

Company	Best For	Packaging Focus	Customization Level	Scale Fit
GPA Global Cannabis	Large MSOs and national brands with predictable, high-volume SKU velocity	Child-resistant cartons, pre-roll multipacks, compliant outer packaging for multi-state distribution	Medium–High (program-based customization with standardized scalability)	Enterprise / High-volume automated
AEG Packaging	Brands needing engineered, structurally differentiated packaging for retail impact	Fully custom folding cartons, inserts, engineered specialty formats	Very High (structural + material engineering, in-house prototyping)	Low–Mid volume scaling to Enterprise
Cannabrand Solutions	Brands launching new SKUs or executing rebrands that need packaging + creative under one roof	Pre-built formats with visual customization and bundled branding services	Medium (design-flexible, format-controlled)	Early-stage to Mid-size
Kynd Packaging	Boutique or design-forward brands prioritizing consumer presentation	Tins, tubes, cartons, paper-based options with guided format selection	Medium (hands-on structural and material guidance)	Low to Mid-volume
KacePack	Brands prioritizing moisture control, resealing, and product preservation	Resealable pre-roll packaging, individually sealed multipack systems	Medium (function-focused customization)	Low to Mid-volume; selective scaling
Crativ Packaging	Sustainability-focused brands emphasizing recycled materials	PCR plastic pre-roll cases, side-opening protective formats	Low–Medium (material-focused, narrower format range)	Low to Mid-volume
KushCo Holdings	Operators prioritizing standardized, compliant, high-volume supply reliability	Child-resistant tubes, bulk-ready compliant formats	Low (catalog-based, ready-to-order formats)	Mid-size to Enterprise, semi- to fully automated

How We Evaluated Pre-Roll Packaging Companies

Before we begin, let’s set expectations on how we evaluated the pre-roll packaging companies in this guide. First and foremost, we favored companies that specialize in pre-rolls (as opposed to having a more general focus).

We then treated compliance as a baseline requirement rather than a differentiator. To operate legally and responsibly in this industry, safety is of utmost importance. Features like child resistance, opacity where required, and label readiness were at the top of mind for rating. 

From there, real-world functioning was considered. We evaluated how packaging performs in real production environments, including during filling, handling, storage, and transport. 

Since every operation differs in terms of volume and scale, we considered operational fit. This is an individual company’s ability to span from early-stage brands to high-volume MSOs, which is ranked slightly lower since it won’t affect every manufacturer. 

Because a pre-roll brand is only as good as a consumer’s experience, we prioritized suppliers that support consistent supply and repeatability as volumes increase, for ultimate scalability. 

And lastly, we assessed how each pre-roll packaging choice affects downstream workflows, including packing speed, labor, and reject rates. 

Best Pre-Roll Packaging Companies

Without further ado, here are the best pre-roll packaging companies to consider based on the evaluation factors we just covered:

1. GPA Global Cannabis

GPA Global Cannabis is the cannabis-focused division of a global packaging manufacturer. They primarily serve large MSOs and national brands with predictable, high-volume packaging demand. 

If you operate at a high-production stage with semi-automated or fully automated lines and consistent SKU velocity, GPA might be a good fit, as they’re generally best suited for long-term packaging programs rather than short runs or rapidly changing formats. 

They provide fully customized packaging as well as standardized formats you can adapt to your operations, including child-resistant cartons, pre-roll multipacks, and compliant outer packaging designed for multi-state distribution. 

If you are prioritizing supply chain stability, regional consistency, and scalable sourcing, they are a strong candidate. However, if you are in a low- to mid-production stage, running manual lines, or frequently testing new SKUs, they may not be the best fit due to reduced flexibility and higher program commitments.

2. AEG Packaging

AEG Packaging provides custom packaging solutions with an emphasis on structural design and engineered formats rather than surface-level branding alone. They design and manufacture folding cartons, inserts, and specialty packaging using a range of materials, finishes, and construction methods. 

AEG positions themselves around tailored, engineered solutions rather than stock formats, which makes them a solid option if you want packaging that protects your SKU and differentiates your pre-rolls at retail.

Their in-house prototyping capabilities allow you to review and test physical samples before committing to full production. If you’re at low- to mid-production volume, operating manual or semi-automated lines, or frequently launching new or premium SKUs, AEG may be the best fit because flexibility and iteration matter more than pure throughput at this stage. 

However, if you are running high-volume, fully automated lines, highly customized formats may introduce added complexity that affects speed, consistency, and scaling efficiency – and calls for a different packaging provider.

3. Cannabrand Solutions

Cannabrand Solutions provides packaging along with in-house branding and design services, which can simplify coordination if you are launching a new pre-roll line or executing a rebrand. 

They offer pre-built packaging formats that allow visual customization while helping you manage upfront costs. If you are in a low- to mid-production stage and running manual or semi-automated lines, Cannabrand’s accessible order quantities and bundled services may be best for you because flexibility and capital efficiency are critical.

By handling packaging and creative direction together, they reduce the need to manage multiple vendors. However, as you scale into higher production volumes with more SKUs and increasing automation, highly varied packaging formats can complicate standardization and line efficiency. 

If you plan to grow into fully automated production, you will need disciplined branding systems and SOPs to maintain operational consistency.

4. Kynd Packaging

If you are looking for a boutique packaging partner, Kynd Packaging may fit your needs. They work with cannabis brands that prioritize presentation and consumer experience as part of their positioning. 

They offer multiple pre-roll packaging formats, including tins, tubes, cartons, and paper-based options, which can support both visual differentiation and reduced plastic use depending on the material you select.

They operate as a hands-on packaging provider, offering guidance through format, material, and structural decisions rather than only supplying commodity packaging. If your production is low- to medium-volume, you’re running manual or semi-automated lines, or refining your brand identity, Kynd may be best for you because flexibility and design input are bigger priorities than pure throughput.

However, if you are operating high-volume, fully automated lines, you may have more success with a packaging partner that focuses on standardization over boutique-level customization.

5. KacePack

KacePack is a pre-roll packaging manufacturer you may consider if product preservation is your top priority. They are known for resealable packaging formats designed to help maintain freshness and moisture control in pre-rolls. 

If you are focused on protecting flower quality from the production line to the consumer, they offer solutions that allow resealing of internal wraps and individually sealed pre-rolls within a multipack. This lets your customers open one unit without exposing the others to oxygen and environmental changes.

If you are operating at a low- to mid-production stage using manual or semi-automated workflows, they may be best for you because enhanced sealing features can reinforce product integrity and consumer experience. 

However, if you are scaling into high-volume, fully automated production, additional sealing steps may introduce workflow complexity and reduce overall throughput efficiency.

6. Crativ Packaging

Crativ Packaging manufactures cannabis packaging using post-consumer recycled plastics rather than virgin materials, positioning sustainability as a core material choice. 

If you are building an environmentally focused brand, they may align with your values by offering recycled-content packaging with durable construction. 

They are widely recognized for their side-opening plastic pre-roll cases, which provide a consistent, protective form factor commonly used for single or small multipack SKUs.

If you are in a low- to mid-production stage and running manual or semi-automated lines, they may be best for you if sustainability is central to your brand positioning. However, if you operate high-volume, fully automated production with diverse SKU formats, their narrower range of form factors may limit your flexibility compared to broader packaging suppliers.

7. KushCo Holdings

KushCo Holdings is a large supplier of compliant cannabis packaging, including child-resistant pre-roll tubes and bulk packaging formats. If availability, standardized sizing, and supply reliability are high on your list of priorities, KushCo checks the boxes because they position themselves as a high-volume packaging source rather than a boutique design firm. Their catalog centers on compliant, ready-to-order formats that support operational consistency.

If you are running mid- to high-production volumes, especially with semi-automated or fully automated filling lines, they may be best for you because standardized tube sizes simplify filling, labeling, and case packing. 

However, if you are in an early production stage or prioritizing premium finishes and structural customization, KushCo may not be the best fit. They function primarily as a dependable supply partner for operators focused on throughput, continuity, and scalable packaging workflows.

What to Consider When Choosing a Pre-Roll Packaging Company

To scale in the fast-paced cannabis industry, you have to engineer your packaging and production workflows together. When packaging is designed without regard for production flow, it creates bottlenecks, increases labor touchpoints, and limits throughput long before demand does.

So, evaluating your current operations and future growth strategies is crucial to choosing the right pre-roll packaging company for your company and its goals. 

To ensure your choice aligns with your actual operation, consider the following questions to cover the factors that’ll matter the most when selecting a packaging partner.  

• How many pre-rolls do you need to package per month? Packaging that works at 5,000 units often breaks down at 50,000. 
• How standardized are your SKUs? Highly customized formats slow packing and increase handling as volume grows, and not every company will support custom SKUs. 
• How will packaging affect packing speed and labor? Some packaging looks great but requires extra steps, limiting your throughput. 
• Can the supplier support repeat orders at scale? Consistent availability matters more than novelty once production ramps up. Check with other manufacturers who use the supplier for the best advice on keeping up with orders. 
• How does the packaging integrate with your production setup? Packaging should fit your workflow, not force workarounds.

When vetting companies, come prepared with information on your current and future operations to make the conversation as productive as possible, and have questions ready to test their readiness. 

When Packaging and Production Need to Scale Together

Finally, if you’re only exploring packaging companies and not yet evaluating production automation, it’s worth considering both in tandem. 

As volumes increase, packaging stops being a downstream task and becomes a throughput constraint if it isn’t designed to keep pace with filling. 

Full-scale pre-roll automation systems like the Hefestus AuraX are built to manage the workflow end to end, carrying pre-rolls from fill through packaging without introducing extra handoffs or slow points.

When filling and packaging are engineered as a single system, automation ensures consistent joint weight and density, which directly supports predictable fit with standardized packaging. 

That consistency eliminates rework, reduces variation, and allows packaging speed to reliably keep pace with filling speed.

Instead of juggling multiple vendors and workarounds that create bottlenecks or communication gaps, integrated systems remove packaging as a limiting factor. This allows your brand to scale to enterprise volumes without rebuilding your processes at every step, even when it’s time to introduce new SKUs.

Conclusion: Which Pre-Roll Packaging Company Is Best?

Here, you’ve learned that the operators who coordinate packaging and production together can scale faster, protect margins, and reduce operational friction. 

Even more, you learned there’s no best pre-roll packaging company. There’s the best pre-roll packaging company for your unique company and production goals: packaging decisions should support where your business is going, not just where it is today. 

In the end, the best choice for your pre-roll company will depend on your volume, SKU strategy, and growth plans. Save, share, and use this list as a guide to selecting the right pre-roll packaging company for you and your workflows. 

And if you’re improving your production even as you’re improving your packaging, contact the Hefestus team today to discuss how the AuraX pre-roll machine can help you produce more pre-rolls, more profitably. 

Best Pre-Roll Packaging: Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers to keep learning. 

What is the Best Packaging For Pre-Rolls?

The best packaging for pre-rolls is whichever format protects joint structure, controls moisture exposure, supports compliance, and fits your production workflow without creating bottlenecks. From brand to brand, packaging is selected based on material or durability, shelf-life goals, brand presentation, and compatibility with automated filling systems.

What Type of Pre-Roll Packaging is the Most Cost-Effective?

The type of pre-roll packaging that is the most cost-effective will vary depending on unit price, 

production speed, and damage or waste reduction across the supply chain. A lower material cost does not always translate into cost efficiency if packaging slows throughput or increases breakage.

Is Plastic or Paper Packaging Better for Pre-Rolls?

Plastic packaging for pre-rolls offers stronger physical protection and is more moisture-resistant than paper packaging. While paper packaging often supports sustainability positioning and lower material weight, the better option will depend on your distribution model, storage conditions, and brand priorities.

How Does Pre-roll Packaging Affect Production Efficiency?

Pre roll packaging affects production efficiency by influencing fill speed, changeover time, label application, and overall line flow. Packaging that aligns with automated output supports higher throughput and fewer interruptions.

When Should Cannabis Brands Reconsider Their Pre-Roll Packaging?

Cannabis brands should reconsider their pre-roll packaging when SKU counts increase, damage rates rise, compliance requirements change, or production volume outgrows manual handling. Packaging should evolve alongside scale, automation, and distribution expansion.