Custom Packaging for
Cannabis, CBD, Hemp and Kratom
Regulated plant-based products have specific packaging requirements that generic packaging suppliers are not built to handle. This guide covers materials, formats, compliance considerations, finishing, and why low MOQ direct-print mylar is the right choice for cannabis, CBD, hemp, and kratom brands at every stage of growth.
Get a Free Quote >Why Packaging Is a Bigger Decision in Regulated Categories
In most consumer product categories, packaging is primarily a branding and barrier decision. In cannabis, CBD, hemp, and kratom, packaging is also a compliance decision, a retail access decision, and in some markets a legal requirement. Get it wrong and you face regulatory exposure, retail rejection, or product that doesn't meet shelf life expectations.
At the same time, these categories are among the most brand-driven in consumer goods. Customers choose products based on packaging before they ever try the product. The shelf in a dispensary or wellness store is crowded, and the brand that looks most professional and intentional wins the sale. That tension between compliance requirements and brand ambition is exactly what good packaging is designed to resolve.
Direct-print custom mylar bags are the dominant format across all four of these categories for good reason: they provide the barrier properties the products require, they support full-bleed custom branding, and they are available at order quantities that make sense for regulated markets where formulations, labeling requirements, and brand positioning can change quickly.
The MOQ argument is stronger here than anywhere else. Cannabis and kratom brands face regulatory changes that can make packaging obsolete. A brand that ordered 10,000 bags before a state updated its labeling requirements is now sitting on unusable inventory. Low MOQ direct print keeps you adaptable.
Packaging by Product Format
Each product type within these categories has specific packaging requirements driven by weight, format, compliance, and retail context.
Cannabis Flower
Stand-up pouches with child-resistant zippers are the standard for eighths (3.5g), quarters, and halves. Opaque or foil-laminate construction required in most regulated markets. Smell-proof construction is expected at retail. Matte and soft touch finishes dominate the premium tier.
Pre-Rolls
Flat pouches and narrow stand-up pouches sized for single pre-rolls or multi-packs. Child-resistant closure required in regulated markets. Slim form factor makes full-bleed printing especially impactful since the entire visible surface carries branding.
Edibles and Gummies
Stand-up pouches in retail snack sizes. Child-resistant zippers standard. Opaque packaging required in most states to prevent confusion with regular candy. Design must clearly communicate cannabis content and dosage. Clear windows are regulated or prohibited in many markets.
Concentrates and Extracts
Small flat pouches or stand-up pouches for individual concentrate servings, syringes, or multi-gram packs. High-barrier film critical for preserving terpene profiles. Custom sizing important since concentrate weights vary significantly from flower formats.
CBD and Hemp Products
Wider range of formats including flower, gummies, tincture packaging, and topicals. CBD and hemp products face fewer state-level compliance requirements than cannabis but still benefit from professional packaging that communicates quality and differentiates from commodity options. Matte finish dominates the wellness positioning tier.
Kratom
Stand-up pouches for powder and capsule formats from 50g to 500g+. High-barrier film is critical for preserving alkaloid potency and preventing moisture absorption. Kratom operates in an evolving regulatory environment meaning packaging that can be updated quickly without large financial commitment is strategically important.
Compliance: What to Know Before You Order
M2OM is a packaging manufacturer, not a compliance advisor. Regulations vary by state, country, and product category and change frequently. What follows is a general orientation to the packaging-related compliance factors that affect these categories. Always verify requirements with a compliance specialist for your specific market before finalizing packaging.
Child-Resistant Closures
Child-resistant packaging is required by law for cannabis products in most regulated US states and in Canada. The CR standard requires a specific opening mechanism (typically a pinch-and-push or squeeze-and-turn action) that children under 5 cannot operate but adults can. M2OM offers CR zipper options on all standard bag formats. If you are selling cannabis in a regulated market, specify CR zippers when requesting a quote.
Opacity Requirements
Most US states require cannabis packaging to be opaque, meaning consumers cannot see the product through the packaging from the outside. This rules out clear or transparent window bags for most cannabis flower and edibles. Check your state's specific requirements. CBD, hemp, and kratom products generally have no opacity requirements, though professional opaque packaging is often the better brand choice regardless.
Label Real Estate
Cannabis and hemp products in most markets require significant label content: THC/CBD content, net weight, license numbers, universal symbols, health warnings, batch codes, and in some states QR codes. Plan your dieline with compliance label space accounted for before finalizing the design. A common mistake is designing packaging that looks great but leaves insufficient space for mandatory disclosures.
Resealability
Many regulated markets require cannabis packaging to be resealable after first opening. All M2OM stand-up pouches include a resealable zipper as standard. For products in markets with resealability requirements, ensure the zipper specification is noted when ordering.
Kratom Regulatory Status
Kratom is legal at the federal level in the US but banned or restricted in several states. The FDA has issued warnings about kratom and the regulatory environment is evolving. Packaging for kratom should avoid explicit health claims and should include clearly visible disclaimers where applicable. The ability to update packaging quickly without large financial commitment is particularly important in this category.
Low MOQ is your compliance hedge. Running 300 to 500 units rather than 5,000 means a labeling law change or state-specific requirement update costs you hundreds in unusable packaging instead of thousands. In regulated categories this is not a minor consideration.
Direct Print vs Label: Why It Matters More Here
The direct print vs label distinction matters in every category but it matters more in cannabis, hemp, CBD, and kratom for a specific reason: these products are held and inspected by customers far more carefully than most consumer goods. A dispensary customer turns the bag over, reads every panel, and handles the packaging for 30 to 60 seconds before deciding. A label edge, a bubbling sticker, or a misaligned adhesive reads as low-quality at exactly the moment you need to communicate professionalism.
Direct Print on Film
Label on Stock Bag
Finish Recommendations by Category
The finish on your bag signals brand positioning before a customer reads anything. In regulated categories where premium positioning drives price tolerance, finish is one of the highest-leverage design decisions you make.
Soft Touch + Spot Gloss
The combination that defines top-shelf cannabis packaging. The soft touch base communicates quality at first touch. Spot gloss on the logo creates contrast and visual hierarchy without adding color. Used by virtually every premium dispensary brand worth referencing.
Matte + Spot Gloss
Clean, professional, and cost-effective. Matte reads premium in this category across all price tiers. Spot gloss on the logo or product name adds dimension without adding cost of soft touch. The most common finish combination across established cannabis brands.
Matte
CBD and hemp wellness brands typically position toward clinical, clean, or natural aesthetics. Matte finish supports all three. It photographs without glare, reads as premium without being aggressive, and works across both retail and direct-to-consumer channels.
Matte or Soft Touch
Hemp flower competes directly with cannabis flower visually at retail. Matching the finish sophistication of the cannabis shelf is important for premium positioning. Soft touch at the same price point as premium cannabis packaging helps hemp flower brands compete on shelf presence.
Matte or Gloss
Kratom brands range from commodity bulk suppliers to premium wellness-positioned brands. Commodity brands default to gloss for cost and familiarity. Premium-positioned kratom brands have adopted matte and soft touch finishes as the category matures. The finish signals which tier you're competing in.
Spot Holographic
Collab drops, seasonal strains, special releases. Spot holographic on the logo or a design element against a matte base signals this is different from your standard line. Works across cannabis, hemp, and CBD for any packaging meant to stand out from the existing product range.
Sizing Reference
Standard bag sizes used across cannabis, CBD, hemp, and kratom. Sizes listed are the finished bag dimensions (width x height). Gusset depth adds fill capacity beyond the flat dimensions.
| Size | Format | Common Fill Weight | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2" x 4" | Flat pouch | 0.5 to 1g | Single pre-rolls, concentrate samples |
| 3.5" x 5" | Flat / Stand-up | 3.5g (eighths), 1 to 2g concentrate | Cannabis eighths, pre-roll 3-packs, CBD samples |
| 4" x 6" | Stand-up | 7g (quarters), 10 to 25mg edibles | Cannabis quarters, edible pouches, CBD gummies |
| 5" x 8" | Stand-up | 14 to 28g flower, 50 to 100g kratom | Halves and ounces, small kratom servings, CBD flower |
| 7" x 10" | Stand-up | 100 to 250g kratom, bulk hemp | Mid-size kratom packs, bulk CBD flower, hemp tea |
| 10" x 14" | Stand-up | 250 to 500g kratom, bulk hemp | Large kratom bags, wholesale hemp, bulk CBD |
Why Low MOQ Matters More in Regulated Categories
Across general CPG, the argument for low MOQ is primarily about capital efficiency and flexibility. In cannabis, CBD, hemp, and kratom, there are additional reasons that make short-run digital printing the strategically correct choice at virtually every stage of growth.
How to Order Cannabis and Regulated Product Packaging at M2OM
Request a Quote
Specify your product format, bag size, quantity, film spec, finish, and whether you need a child-resistant zipper. You get a confirmed all-in price including printing and shipping.
Confirm Compliance Requirements
Before finalizing your artwork, verify the packaging requirements for your state or market. This includes CR zipper specification, opacity requirements, label real estate needs, and any mandatory symbols or warnings.
Submit Artwork
Provide print-ready files built to your bag's dieline in AI, PDF, or high-res PNG. No dieline? We send you one. Compliance information should be incorporated into the artwork before submission.
Approve Your Proof
A digital proof shows exactly how your bag will look before production begins. Review compliance information carefully at the proof stage. Nothing moves to production until you approve.
Production and Delivery
Production runs in 7 to 10 business days from artwork approval. Your order ships free worldwide and arrives in 15 to 18 days from artwork approval.
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Custom Packaging for Cannabis, CBD, Hemp and Kratom. From 300 Units.
M2OM produces direct-print custom mylar bags for regulated plant-based brands of all sizes. Child-resistant zipper options, food-grade high-barrier film, full-bleed printing, all seven finishes including soft touch, and free worldwide shipping on every order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer child-resistant zipper options for cannabis packaging?
Yes. Child-resistant zippers are available on all M2OM stand-up pouch formats. The CR zipper requires a specific pinch-and-pull action that meets ASTM D3475 standards used in most regulated cannabis markets. Specify CR zipper when requesting a quote and it will be included in the pricing.
Can I get opaque packaging for cannabis flower?
Yes. All M2OM foil-laminate mylar bags are opaque by default because the aluminum foil middle layer blocks all light transmission. There is no visible product through the packaging. This meets the opacity requirements in every regulated US cannabis market that mandates it.
What is the minimum order for cannabis packaging?
300 to 500 units per design depending on bag size and specification. Each design is a separate run, so if you have multiple strains or SKUs you order the MOQ for each independently. There are no plate fees, setup charges, or penalties for multiple designs.
How quickly can I update my cannabis packaging if regulations change?
Because M2OM uses digital printing, there are no plates or cylinders to reproduce. A design update requires new artwork submitted to the same dieline. You can update labeling, warnings, license numbers, or any design element and reorder at the same MOQ without any additional setup cost. Total turnaround from updated artwork approval to delivery is 15 to 18 days.
Do you ship cannabis packaging to all US states?
M2OM ships packaging worldwide, including to all US states. The packaging itself is not a controlled substance and ships without restriction. M2OM produces packaging only and does not provide compliance or legal guidance for specific markets. Verifying that your packaging meets local requirements is your responsibility.
Can I get packaging for both cannabis flower and pre-rolls from the same order?
Yes. Each bag size and design is a separate production run at the MOQ. You can order a 3.5" x 5" bag for eighths and a 2" x 4" flat pouch for pre-rolls in the same quote and have both produced simultaneously. The designs can share brand elements while differing in format, size, and any product-specific compliance information.
What finish is most popular for cannabis packaging?
Matte with spot gloss is the most common finish combination across established cannabis brands. Soft touch with spot gloss defines the premium tier. Both are available at M2OM from 300 units with no additional setup cost beyond the finish upcharge. Full holographic and spot holographic are used for limited edition drops and novelty products within the category.
Do you produce packaging for kratom?
Yes. M2OM produces custom direct-print mylar bags for kratom brands across all standard powder and capsule formats. Kratom packaging is treated identically to any other CPG product. M2OM does not provide regulatory or compliance guidance specific to kratom. Verifying that your packaging and labeling meet requirements in your specific market is your responsibility.
Is there a smell-proof option for cannabis packaging?
All M2OM foil-laminate mylar bags are smell-proof by construction. The aluminum foil middle layer creates a complete barrier against volatile organic compounds, which is what produces odor transmission. A properly heat-sealed foil mylar bag with a quality zipper closure provides effective odor containment. Direct-print bags have no label edges or adhesive seams that could allow odor escape, unlike label-on-stock-bag alternatives.
Can I order cannabis packaging with a clear window?
Clear windows in cannabis packaging are prohibited or restricted in most regulated US markets because they allow product visibility through the packaging. M2OM can produce bags with window cutouts for markets where they are permitted, but most cannabis brands operating in regulated dispensary markets should use fully opaque foil construction. Confirm your state's requirements before specifying a window.