How To Improve Your Cannabis Flower Packaging Process: Tips For Streamlining And Reducing Costs

In an industry as formative as cannabis, it’s no surprise that operators face challenges with daily operations. As is often the case, it’s the first time they’re experiencing the act of cultivating, manufacturing, or packaging themselves. Unfortunately, most early operators find out quickly that scaling is nearly impossible when facing tight margins, rising labor costs, and high compliance standards. 

However, companies that are scaling typically have one thing in common: implementing automation to streamline and reduce costs. That’s where cannabis flower packaging machines enter the conversation for cultivators and producers across the US. 

If you’re reaching the point in your business where you’re looking at the numbers and thinking…” How will I ever turn a profit?” This guide is for you. Or, if you’re seeking to start off on the right foot without facing the challenges others have to figure out for themselves…this guide is also for you. 

Here, we’ll dive deep into cannabis packaging efficiency to help you reduce cannabis packaging costs and increase your bottom line. So, keep reading as we cover the advantages of cannabis packing automation, what to look for in flower packaging equipment, and the best cannabis packaging machine to seek out for quality, reliability, and flexibility.

The Real Cost Of Manual Packaging

Even though it might seem like relying on manual labor is a cost-saving measure, considering the upfront cost for some flower packaging equipment…its hidden expenses can pile up quickly. 

For instance, labor inefficiencies, like more hands and time required to process more weight (not to mention oversight to ensure quality), quickly increase payroll costs, eating into your margins. Beyond the cost, manual labor can also lead to inconsistencies in weight and quality, common with hand-packed units. At the consumer level, this inconsistency in product can lead to dissatisfied experiences, putting your brand’s reputation and positive word of mouth at risk. 

Worse, improper handling or poor sealing can lead to product degradation, reducing terpene preservation and shortening shelf life. These are other inefficiencies that can affect quality and, therefore, consumer brand loyalty. Over time, and altogether, the perils of manual packaging affect profitability and your ability to scale. 

Why Flower Requires Specialized Packaging

Put simply, cultivators put their blood, sweat, and tears into the health and quality of their flower. But that’s not where the work should end. Post-harvest, flower requires just as much attention to retain its initial quality, especially in regards to aroma and taste, and the art of terpene preservation. 

Ultimately, because of this, flower require specialized packaging to retain their original contents of terpenes and cannabinoids. The right packaging will reduce trichome loss (maintaining potency) and its terpene profile for the utmost flavor. Operators also must select airtight containers to prevent exposure to oxygen and moisture, which can also degrade cannabinoids, dry out terpenes, and accelerate mold growth. All of which compromise quality. 

Tightly packed, low-quality bags or hard plastic containers are most well-known for damaging delicate trichomes and reducing potency and flavor. Meanwhile, specialized packaging such as glass jars, Mylar bags, or soft-touch containers is designed to preserve trichome integrity and maintain product quality from shelf to session.

How Cannabis Flower Packaging Machines Solve The Problem

As delicate as cannabis flower is, so should the machine and mechanisms that handle it during the packaging process. That’s where the best cannabis packaging machines can make all the difference for brands seeking to uphold quality standards, without rising labor costs. The most advanced cannabis flower packaging machines solve the most common packaging problems with: 

• Flower-friendly mechanisms to minimize trichome loss and preserve bud structure.
• Precision dosing technology eliminates weight inconsistencies, helping you stay compliant and avoid costly overfills.
• Advanced sealing systems lock in freshness and aroma with every pack.
• Compliance labeling integration, streamlining your operation, and reducing manual errors. 

Most importantly, however, is the drastic reduction operators see in labor costs and time thanks to cannabis packaging automation. What once took a whole team and an entire shift can now be accomplished in a fraction of the time with greater accuracy and consistency. 

By reducing waste, improving product quality, and boosting operational efficiency, cannabis packaging machines are a wise investment for brands looking to scale without compromise.

Key Features To Look For In A Cannabis Packaging Machine

Of course, like most things in the cannabis industry, not all cannabis packaging machines can be treated equally. For optimal efficiency and product quality, here are a few key features to seek out in your chosen flower packaging equipment: 

1. Modified atmosphere or vacuum sealing: These features improve oxygen reduction, and seal in freshness helping to preserve potency, aroma, and the overall shelf life of the flower inside. 
2. Custom tray or pouch solutions: Tailored packaging formats reduce movement and protect buds from compression or trichome loss during handling.
3. Compatibility with multiple container types: Most brands’ products are ever-evolving, meaning you won’t always pack the same container type. It’s key to invest in a cannabis flower packaging machine that allows for versatility. 
4. Tool-less changeover for multiple SKUs: Speaking of product variety, another key to scaling is offering multiple SKUs, and doing so efficiently. Tool-less changeover systems allow operators to easily switch between different strains or package sizes without the need for manual tools, saving time and reducing production downtime.
   

Real-World Cost Savings And ROI

Even though the industry is still emerging, there are enough markets in long-term operation to see these cannabis flower packaging machines’ advantages in action. In reality, the highest cost savings and ROI come from saving on labor, and reducing packaging waste due to increased accuracy by equipment versus workers. 

In terms of pre-rolls, a specific flower product, Forbidden Farms in Washington State, transitioned from manual pre-roll production to Hefestus’s automated systems, resulting in a 90% reduction in labor costs. Their output increased from approximately 100-120 joints per hour manually to over 1,000 joints per hour using the Hefestus machine. 

Even further, this significant boost in efficiency allowed them to expand their operations and serve as a co-packer for other brands, producing up to 600,000 pre-rolls monthly.

Why Choose Hefestus?

To turn operations from dragging and lagging to seamlessly streamlined, operators across the globe turn to Hefestus. 

• Innovative sealing tech: Equipped with advanced systems like SLB™, Hefestus delivers airtight, tamper-evident seals that preserve freshness and terpene integrity.
• Proven systems: Purpose-built for cannabis flower, Hefestus machines ensure gentle handling, precise fills, and consistent sealing at scale.
• Customizable: Modular designs adapt to your facility’s footprint and workflow, to handle multiple SKUs, weights, and beyond. 

Final Takeaway: Packaging Smarter, Not Harder

As you can see…the road to scaling and operating optimally is packaging smarter, not harder. Cannabis packaging automation is the key to turning common packaging bottlenecks into profits. By reducing labor costs and improving quality and consistency, brands can not only improve their margins but also increase brand loyalty and reputation. 

Explore Cannabis Flower Packaging Solutions by Hefestus

Now that you better understand the importance of cannabis packaging efficiency for your operation’s overall success, it’s time to explore the collection of the best cannabis packaging machins at Hefestus: the house of automation. 

Contact our team to explore flower packaging equipment solutions for your operation, or learn more about the AutoJar and AutoBag products now.