What are the most common sizes for custom food, tea, coffee, and candle tins? In short, there’s no single universal custom tins size. Still, manufacturers and brands typically choose from a well-established set of sizes that align with product mass/volume, retail shelf space, shipping economics, and end-user convenience. We provide size recommendations based on three core data points: product mass or volume, required shelf space, and packaging economics, including palletizing and case packing.
Common Sizes, Capacities, and Uses of Custom Tins in Food Packaging
Food packaging tends to follow a predictable size range, as product form and typical portion size dictate capacity and desired appearance. For snacks and candies, small gift or sample custom tins typically measure approximately 63-76 mm (2.5-3.0 in) in diameter and 25-45 mm in height, holding approximately 25-80 grams (1-3 oz), making them ideal for candy or small snack portions. For everyday cookie platters or small group gift jars, the market favors tins with diameters of 120-150 mm (4.7-5.9 inches) and heights of 45-70 mm, holding 150-350 grams.
Meanwhile, larger share tins typically measure 180–230 mm (7.1–9.1 inches) in diameter and 50–80 mm in height, holding approximately 350–900 grams depending on packing density. These sizes are suitable because they match standard product weight tiers, optimize the filling and sealing process, prevent denting due to their rounded profile, and fit well on retail shelves. Furthermore, for food applications, specifying a food-grade interior varnish and considering liners for oil-rich or aromatic products are crucial to preserve flavor and meet regulatory contact requirements.
Typical Size, Capacity, and Appearance Considerations for Custom Tea Tins
Tea packaging is typically specified by weight rather than volume because different tea varieties have varying densities. Therefore, tea brands choose can sizes that can easily accommodate standard retail weights while preserving aroma and appearance. For 50g loose-leaf tea, a typical custom can has a diameter of approximately 70-75mm (2.75-2.95 inches) and a height of 60-70mm. A 100g retail can typically have a diameter of 78-85mm and a height of 72-85mm. Larger 150-250g cans, typically 95-110mm in diameter and 90-120mm in height, are used for bulk or sample collections.
Square tea bags are also available for those who prefer loose-leaf tea. When designing tea bags, allow 5-10mm of headspace to accommodate aroma inserts or resealable liners and to avoid crushing delicate tea leaves during the filling process. On the other hand, many high-end brands combine thin, one-way valve inner bags with decorative custom tin cans to preserve tea freshness without sacrificing the luxurious metal look. Because tea belongs to the premium category, surface treatments and tight-fitting lids (slip-on or screw-on) are typical features of tea packaging.
Typical Sizes, Roast Characteristics, and Practical Packaging Options in Coffee Packaging
Coffee packaging is standardized to standard retail weights—125g, 250g, 500g, and 1kg. The geometry of the custom tin body reflects the coffee’s density and freshness management. 125g small-portion coffee sample cans typically measure 70-78mm in diameter and 65-80mm in height, while the more common 250g (8.8oz) retail cans usually measure 82-88mm in diameter and 95-110mm in height, striking a balance between shelf presence and ease of handling. Larger 500g tins typically come in sizes of 90-98mm in diameter and 140-180mm in height, while 1kg tins are wider or taller, approximately 100-120mm in diameter and 200-250mm in height.
Because coffee degasses and oxidizes, most roasters use a hybrid approach: a one-way degassing inner bag placed inside a custom tin printed with a coffee image. This approach preserves the coffee’s freshness while also creating a visually appealing metallic appearance. Additionally, sealing lids—screw caps or snap-on caps with gaskets—are popular for their resealability by the end user.
Candle Tin Packaging Diameter, Height, Wick Type, and Thermal Considerations
Burn pool dynamics and wick selection primarily influence candle jar dimensions, so designers must select a diameter and height that can reliably support the intended wick and wax combination. Travel-size or sample-size candle tins typically have a diameter of 45-55 mm (1.8-2.2 inches) and a height of 25-40 mm. Standard single-wick candle jars usually have a diameter of 65-76 mm (2.6-3.0 inches) and a height of 40-60 mm, making them suitable for candles weighing 4-8 ounces (113-227 grams).
Medium-sized candle tins, which offer a wider range of fragrances, typically have a diameter of 89-100 mm and a height of 45-75 mm, suitable for candles weighing 8-12 ounces. Large multi-wick candle jars can have a diameter of 110-130 mm and a height of 60-90 mm. Designers must consider the effective burn diameter, as this determines the size of the wick; an 80 mm burn diameter typically requires a medium-sized cotton or wooden wick. Therefore, for safety and ease of handling, thicker walls reduce external surface temperatures and enhance perceived quality, while internal coatings must be heat-resistant and flavor-compatible. Lids may also be magnetic, screw-on, or slide-on.
Design, Manufacturing, and Volume Considerations
When planning mass-produced custom tins, it’s important to balance design goals with manufacturing realities, as materials, specifications, tooling, and decoration all impact minimum order quantities, costs, and lead times. Tinplate and aluminum are the primary substrates. For small food and tea jars, gauges of 0.18–0.30 mm are typical, while coffee and candle jars, which require greater rigidity, typically use gauges of 0.20–0.35 mm. Higher gauges increase structural strength and perceived value, but also increase material and shipping costs.
Custom tooling for specific diameters, embossing, or offset-printed packaging incurs minimum order quantities—typical minimum order quantities for printed cans range from 3,000 to 5,000 units per SKU. Lead times are typically 4-8 weeks after tool approval, with an additional 2-4 weeks for tool development. Decorative options include full-wrap offset printing, digital printing, embossing, and more, each adding complexity and often increasing the minimum order quantity. Furthermore, embossing and scratch-resistant varnishes are standard for high-end tea and candle lines. From a logistical perspective, carton shipping and palletizing should be planned well in advance.
Choosing the Right Custom Tins
Selecting the right custom tin for food, tea, coffee, and candles is a complex exercise that balances product weight, retail presentation, and manufacturing economics. First, select a size that corresponds to standard product weight classes (25g, 50g, 100g, 250g, 500g, 1kg), then choose a geometry that complies with retail shelf requirements, shipping restrictions, and user ergonomics. It’s also necessary to consider practical manufacturing choices, such as material specifications, lid styles, minimum order quantities, and lead times, and plan for trimming and palletizing to protect the finished product during bulk shipping.
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