Fillmore Container: Smarter Procurement for Food & Beverage Producers

Who needs this checklist?

If you're a small batch producer or manufacturer managing your own packaging supply chain, this guide is for you. It's written specifically for people buying from Fillmore Container—maybe for the first time, or maybe you've placed a few orders but feel like there's a better way.

I'm an office administrator for a mid-sized craft beverage company. I manage all our container and packaging supply ordering, roughly $30,000 annually across eight vendors. When I took over purchasing in 2020, I made a lot of mistakes. This checklist is what I wish someone had handed me before I started.

Step 1: Start with your spec, not your price target

Most people jump into ordering by searching for cheap bottles. That's backwards. You need to start with your exact product requirement. What volume of liquid? What kind of closure? Glass or plastic? Temperature range for your product? Shelf life?

Fillmore Container has a huge variety: dozens of sizes and styles. The wrong bottle might work initially, but it could cause a sealing issue down the line. I said 'I need a standard water bottle.' Fillmore heard 'narrow mouth, 500ml, plastic.' Discovered this when the bottles arrived, and our carbonated beverage wouldn't hold its fizz. We were using the same words but meaning different things.

Action item: Write down three non-negotiable specs before you even look at a price. Mouth size, material, and volume are the minimum.

Step 2: Use a Fillmore Container coupon code, but don't make it your goal

Of course you want to use a discount code. I get why people go for the cheapest option—budgets are real. But I've seen people order containers with a coupon, then realize the cap doesn't fit the machine capper. That's a hidden cost no coupon fixes.

Here's a reality check: Fillmore Container customer education is good, but you still need to ask the right questions. To be fair, their pricing is competitive for what they offer. But if you focus on the coupon first, you might compromise on the container that really works.

Tip: Search for fillmore container coupon code during the final checkout, not before you've chosen your items. Coupon codes often apply site-wide, so your best deal is usually just the standard promo anyway.

Step 3: Understand the minimum order quantity (MOQ) game

Fillmore Container does not always have a hard MOQ, but the pricing curve changes significantly. A case of 12 jars might be $18. But if you buy a pallet (144 cases), the per-unit price can drop by 40%. That's where you need to do the math.

Everything I'd read about bulk discounts said you should always buy in bulk. In practice, for our specific use case, buying 6 months of inventory created storage and cash-flow issues. The conventional wisdom is to always order as much as possible to minimize per-unit cost. My experience with 200+ orders suggests that small, frequent batches often save more money when you factor in storage, spoilage, and opportunity cost.

Step 4: Verify closure compatibility before ordering

This is the most common mistake I see. You order a beautiful glass jar. You order a decorative lid. They don't fit together. You're stuck with two products that are useless together.

I've seen this pattern many times. But when I say 'many,' I do not mean just a few—I mean consistently across 20+ orders. The issue is that there are different thread sizes, and Fillmore's catalog lists them separately. You need to check the matching closure listing. If the jar's description says 'Lug 38mm,' the lid must say 'Lug 38mm' too. Same with 'Continuous Thread (CT)' sizes.

Check: Write down the thread size of your container. Then confirm the closure's thread size matches exactly. Not 'approximately.' Exactly.

Step 5: Order a sample if you're not 100% sure

I know samples cost money. But a sample is cheaper than a full case of the wrong item. Fillmore Container does offer samples on most items. It will cost you maybe $5-10 for a single jar or lid. That's a fraction of what a case costs.

Rule of thumb: If this is the first time you're buying a specific size or style from Fillmore, order a sample. If you've bought it before and just need more, skip the sample.

Step 6: Check for custom envelope stickers and labeling options

Are you planning to label your containers? This is where a lot of first-time buyers forget to plan. Fillmore Container does not do custom printing, but they sell adhesive envelope stickers and labels. If you're in a rush, the best buy envelope for your container might be a plain white envelope from Fillmore that you print yourself. That way, you avoid waiting for a third-party printer.

But consider: if you need custom labels with your logo, you might want to use a different vendor. Fillmore has the containers and the plain labels. If you need high-end printed film, expect a longer lead time and order that ahead.

Step 7: What removes duct tape glue from your jars? (Bonus tip)

This is a weird but relevant question for anyone repurposing containers for storage. If you accidentally get duct tape residue on a jar, here's a method that works: a paste of baking soda and coconut oil (or vegetable oil). Rub it in, let it sit 5 minutes, then scrub with warm soapy water. This works better than chemical solvents and won't damage the glass surface.

I've used this on hundreds of jars. It's a trick I learned from an old warehouse manager.

Common pitfalls and checkpoints

• Pitfall #1: Assuming all 12 oz jars are same height. A wide mouth 12 oz jar is shorter than a narrow mouth 12 oz jar. This matters if you have a capping machine with fixed height.
• Pitfall #2: Forgetting to account for the cap/closure height. Your total product height includes the closure. If you're storing shelves at 8 inches, a 7.5 inch jar with a 1 inch cap won't fit.
• Pitfall #3: Invoicing errors. I said 'I need 24 cases.' They heard '24 jars.' Result: I received 2 cases. Now I always confirm order quantities in writing—and I check the invoice before I process payment. The vendor who couldn't provide proper invoicing cost us $240 in rejected expenses.

Final thoughts

Fillmore Container is a solid choice for small to medium producers. They have the variety, the pricing, and the coupon codes help. But the real savings come from ordering the right thing the first time. Use this checklist, run your order through it, and you'll avoid the headaches I dealt with when I started.

Pricing mentioned as of January 2025. Verify current pricing and coupon availability at fillmorecontainer.com.