"You can spend two years perfecting a high-bioavailability, clinically-backed formula, but if it lives in a bulky 120 count bottle or 400g tub, its biggest competitor isn't another brand, it’s the "Kitchen Counter Graveyard."
In this article:
- What is a stick pack?
- How are stick packs used in packaging?
- What are the benefits of using stick packs for powdered supplements?
- Products suitable for stick pack manufacturing
- What to look for in stick pack contract manufacturers
- How Rain Nutrience can help your stick pack manufacturing
- Stick pack manufacturing Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a Stick Pack Manufacturer
Most supplements don’t fail because of the formula. They fail because they never leave the kitchen.
"You can spend two years perfecting a high-bioavailability, clinically-backed formula, but if it lives in a bulky 120 count bottle or 400g tub, its biggest competitor isn't another brand, it’s the "Kitchen Counter Graveyard."
Julian Cibotaru, Product Development Manager, Rain Nutrience
Consumers in 2026 don’t build habits at home, they build them in motion at the gym, at their desk or on the commute. Supplement format has become inseparable from the product, and for a growing number of supplement brands, that means choosing a specialist stick pack manufacturer has moved from a ‘nice to have’ to a strategic necessity.
At Rain Nutrience, as stick pack contract manufacturers, we have invested heavily in stick pack machinery to support this market shift.
In this article, we outline how we support nutraceutical brands in the shift to stick pack manufacturing and the key questions nutraceutical brands should be asking when they chose their stick pack manufacturer.
What is a stick pack?
Stick packs are elongated, narrow tubes between 10mm-300mm wide, designed to deliver a single dose of powder or liquid in a ready-to-use format. The contents of each stick pack may range from 1g for precise nootropics products to ~30g for electrolyte of protein servings.
How are Stick Packs used in Packaging?
Stick packs are often sold in a branded box or carton containing multiple packs. The outer packaging carries branding and nutritional information, while the individual stick packs inside deliver the product.
Logistically, stick packs offer a lightweight, flat and uniform product while reducing the storage space required for consumers and shipping costs for supplement brands shifting away from bottles or tubs.
What are the benefits of using stick packs for powdered supplements?
We have already outlined how stick packs' compact, single-serve design is ideal for the modern consumer who may not want to carry a tub and shaker bottle while on-the-go. Other benefits of stick packs include:
- Cost: The precise dose within each stick pack eliminates the need for unnecessary bulking agents or excipients. This means less raw materials are required to package a product, lowering both production costs.
- Shipping: The compact size of stick packs means more units can fit into each shipment, reducing your shipping costs and optimising the supply chain. They are often packaged in slim, flat-format boxes that can fit through a standard letterbox.
- Sustainability: This compact design reduces the packaging footprint compared to larger tubs or bottles, meaning more units can be delivered in each shipment.
Products suitable for stick pack manufacturing
Stick packs are becoming a natural fit for any supplement where single-serve dosing, portability and precision matter. After reviewing the briefs we have received in 2026 we found that brands looking to shift into stick pack contract packaging are specialising in:
- Collagen powders
- Electrolyte blends
- Creatine and performance products
- Functional wellness formulations
What to look for in Stick Pack Contract Manufacturers
Certifications
Choosing a reliable, certified manufacturing partner is essential for protecting the quality and safety of your products. But how can you be confident you have selected the right partner? A poor choice at this stage could create significant costs for your business.
We suggest checking for recognised industry accreditations, including:
- BRC Graded facilities
- Sedex membership
- RIBUS partnership
Rain Nutrience holds all of these industry accreditations, along with many more quality certifications, demonstrating our commitment to excellence and food safety standards.
Our clients can trust the quality of their products because we work to the highest manufacturing standards, helping reduce the risk of damage to their reputation in the market.
A Proven Track Record
Rain has built a strong portfolio of successful clients through years of stick pack manufacturing experience. This proven record demonstrates our ability to take products from concept through to market successfully. You can be confident that your brand’s vision is in capable hands.
Visit our testimonials to see what our clients say.
Production Capacity and Flexibility: Your stick pack contract manufacturers should be able to scale production in line with your requirements, while remaining flexible enough to respond to changes in demand or product specifications.
Transparent Communication and Timelines: Clear, regular communication is vital. Make sure your co-manufacturer provides realistic timelines and progress updates so you stay informed throughout production.
How Rain can Help your Stick Pack Manufacturing
Rain Nutrience are UK-based nutraceutical contract manufacturers with over 20 years of experience producing supplements, nutraceutical blends, and functional nutrition products for brands across the UK and internationally.
At Rain Nutrience we have invested in our stick pack manufacturing capabilities to help brands meet this specific market shift in consumer behaviour. That investment convers:
- Stick pack manufacturing: Precise filling from 1g to 30g and clean tear finishes. We have the capability to handle complex blends and active ingredients.
- Format Consultation: Speak to our formulation experts to discuss dose weight, shelf life and logistics constraints to shape your formula.
- Co-packing and packaging materials: We handle powder products of all types with the precision, consistency, and food-safe standards your business demands.
- Private label and own label: Our highly experienced team and collaborative way of working enables us to offer the highest flexibility in our product development.
If you are looking for a stick pack manufacturer or stick pack contract packaging support in the UK, contact Rain Nutrience to speak with a member of our team.
Stick Pack Manufacturing Frequently Asked Questions
What are stick pack supplements?
Stick pack supplements are single-serve sachets designed to deliver a single dose of powder or liquid in a ready-to-use format. They come as an elongated, narrow tube and are a natural fit for supplements where single-serve dosing, portability and precision matter.
Benefits of single-serve powder supplements
Single-serve powder supplements are ideal for the modern consumer who may not want to carry a tub and shaker bottle while on the go. For brands, the compact, lightweight nature of stick packs means fewer raw materials are required to package a product compared with tubs or bottles.
How do stick pack supplements compare to capsules?
Stick packs are often better suited to powder products where consumers want a single dose in a ready-to-use format. Unlike a bottle or tub, they offer a lightweight, flat and uniform product that can be used in motion at the gym, at a desk or on the commute.
Can I order custom stick pack supplements for my brand?
Yes. Rain Nutrience has invested in stick pack manufacturing capabilities to help brands meet the shift in consumer behaviour. Our support includes precise filling from 1g to 30g, format consultation around dose weight, shelf life and logistics constraints, and the capability to handle complex blends and active ingredients.
Manufacturers offering private label stick pack solutions
Manufacturers offering private label stick pack solutions should have experience in stick pack manufacturing, co-packing and packaging materials, quality accreditations and flexible product development. Rain Nutrience offers private label and own label support, with a highly experienced team and collaborative way of working.
Related reading:
- Contract manufacturing: A Beginner's Guide to UK Contract Manufacturers
- Private label: A Beginner's Guide to Private Label Supplements
- Ingredient manufacturing: Nutraceutical Ingredients
- Formats: Sachet Packaging and Manufacturing
Written by Julian Cibotaru
Product Development Manager, Rain Nutrience
Julian leads product development at Rain Nutrience, specialising in the formulation of electrolyte supplements and functional nutrition products. He works closely with brands to create tailored solutions for sports recovery, hydration, and everyday wellness.