Co-packing can look opaque from the outside. In practice it follows a clear sequence, and knowing what happens at each stage helps you prepare the right information and avoid delays. Here is how a project runs at COPACK Canada, with general guidance on what to have ready at each step.
On this page
Consultation
Your product, audience and packaging needs.
Have ready: your recipe by weight, any lab results, target retail channels, where you’ll sell (which affects licensing), and the certificates your buyers expect. Read step 1
Product Preparation
Raw materials handled with strict quality and hygiene controls.
Packaging lead times are often the longest in the project, especially for printed film, so lock down your label and format early. Read step 2
Packaging Execution
Accurate, consistent filling and sealing.
Your format choice matters here: stand up pouches, lay flat pouches, quad seal bags, roll stock, bottles or jars each behave differently on a line. Read step 3
Labeling
Professional labels to your specification.
Labels carry Canada’s mandatory information and, where traceability rules apply, a lot code that identifies when and where the product was made. Read step 4
Quality Assurance
Every batch inspected.
Agree up front which checks matter most for your product, such as fill weight, seal integrity, label accuracy and lot code legibility. Read step 5
On-Time Delivery
Freight and shipping to market.
Inventory management and warehousing are available if you’d rather not hold stock yourself. Read step 6
Before step 1: request a quote
Everything starts with your request. Our free quote form asks what your product is, the type of packaging required, the certificates you need, whether you need us to source ingredients or packaging, and your volume requirement. If you’re still pricing out the project, read co-packing costs and MOQs first.
Step 1: Consultation
We work with you to understand your product requirements, target audience, and packaging needs. This is where the specification takes shape: recipe and ingredient specifications, target shelf life and storage, container and size, label content, and run volume. For sauces and other liquids it helps to bring pH and water activity results; for snacks, details on fragility, fat content and allergens.
Have ready: your recipe by weight, any lab results, target retail channels, where you’ll sell (which affects licensing), and the certificates your buyers expect.
Step 2: Sourcing and product preparation
Raw materials are carefully handled with strict quality and hygiene controls. If you’ve asked us to source ingredients or packaging, this is when materials are ordered and received; otherwise we receive what you supply. Packaging lead times are often the longest in the project, especially for printed film, so lock down your label and format early. Our packaging sourcing service covers films, pouches, tubes and tubs.
Step 3: Packaging execution
We ensure that your products are packaged accurately and consistently, with flexible packaging and resealable bags among the options. Filling and sealing is where your format choice matters: stand up pouches, lay flat pouches, quad seal bags, roll stock, bottles or jars each behave differently on a line. Compare them in the packaging formats guide.
Step 4: Labeling
Enhance your product’s shelf appeal with professional labeling that meets your specifications. Labels carry Canada’s mandatory information, such as the common name, net quantity, ingredients and allergens, Nutrition Facts, and bilingual text, and where traceability rules apply, a lot code that identifies when and where the product was made. We can assist with label compliance, especially for food products.
Step 5: Quality assurance
Every batch is inspected to ensure it meets our high standards and your expectations. As general guidance, agree up front which checks matter most for your product, such as fill weight, seal integrity, label accuracy and lot code legibility, and which records you’d like to receive with each run.
Step 6: On-time delivery
We focus on fast turnaround times so your products reach the market without delay, with reliable freight and shipping services. Inventory management and warehousing are available if you’d rather not hold stock yourself.
Who does what: your side and ours
Responsibilities depend on the options you choose in your quote request. As a general outline:
| Task | You | COPACK Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Recipe and product specification | Provide the recipe and approve the spec | Work through requirements in consultation |
| Ingredients | Supply them, or ask us to source | Source on request; handle with quality and hygiene controls |
| Packaging | Supply it, or ask us to source | Source films, pouches, tubes and tubs on request |
| Label content and artwork | Approve final label | Professional labeling and label compliance support |
| Production, filling and sealing | — | Accurate, consistent packaging execution |
| Quality checks | Agree what matters most | Inspect every batch |
| Storage and shipping | Tell us where product goes | Inventory management, warehousing, freight and shipping |
What affects the timeline?
Every project is different, so we don’t publish standard lead times, but the same factors usually decide how quickly a first run happens: how complete your specification is, whether packaging is stock or custom printed (printed film typically takes longest), whether ingredients must be sourced, how many SKUs you launch with, and whether label artwork needs revisions. Repeat runs are faster because the specification, packaging and label are already settled.
Tips for a smooth first run
- Finalize your label before ordering printed packaging.
- Launch with fewer SKUs to reduce changeovers.
- Ask for a sample run before full production.
- Agree what a lot code means and where it’s printed.
- Confirm who holds which licence if you’ll sell across provinces; see how to choose a co-packer in Canada.
Ready to start? Request a free quote or call 647-494-7229.
Process FAQ
How do I start the co-packing process?
Request a free quote with details about your product, packaging, certificates, sourcing needs and volume, or call 647-494-7229.
Can you source ingredients and packaging?
Yes. You can supply your own or ask us to source ingredients, packaging, or both.
Do you inspect every batch?
Yes. Every batch is inspected to ensure it meets our high standards and your expectations.
Do you ship finished products?
Yes. We offer reliable freight and shipping services, along with inventory management and warehousing.