The stick pack manufacturing process.
Know the steps.
Make your
next move.
A finished blend or a formula still to develop. Start with what you have, understand what comes next, and know what needs to be confirmed along the way.
You bring the product direction.
We help connect the work.
YOUR RUN, ESTIMATED8 g fill
Put a number to your next run.
Estimated starter tollingUSD
7,500 sticks · 8 g each$0.73 / stick
7,500 sticks at 8 grams: $5,500, $0.73 per stick.Tolling only · one formula / flavor.
You supply ingredients and packaging.
Starter runs
Volume pricing Above 25,000
Enter a whole number from 7,500 to 100,000 sticks.
Tolling only · 8 g fill. Includes blending, filling and retail packout. You supply ingredients and packaging. Materials and additional services cost extra. Displayed prices are rounded estimates.
What does this estimate include?
Blending, filling/sealing and retail packout for one formula or flavor at your selected 8 g fill. Estimate any quantity from 7,500 to 100,000 sticks; volume pricing begins above 25,000. You supply suitable ingredients, stick film and retail packaging. Powder analysis, blank-stick samples, formulation, sourcing, testing, freight and taxes are excluded. Configure your full quote to add SKUs / flavors at $400 for each one after the first. Your complete quote confirms the scope.
Tolling only. Ingredients, packaging, and selected services are separate. Default 8 g is a pricing reference.
- 01The brief
- 02The scope
- 03Preparation
- 04Materials
- 05Readiness
- 06The run
Online estimates start at 7,500 sticks and cover 1–12 g complete fills. Smaller runs and other fills need a custom quote.
01 / YOUR STARTING POINT
Start where
you actually are.
A powder ready to review and a recipe still to develop have different next steps. Pick the starting point closest to yours.
START WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
A finished powder. A new format.
Bring the blend specification, complete fill weight, and the run you have in mind. We review the powder and packaging together, then define what needs to happen before filling.
Explore powder analysis- Confirm the blend, available documentation, and who supplies it.
- Agree stick dimensions, film, artwork, and retail format.
- Decide whether a separately scoped powder evaluation would help.
A finished blend does not automatically need reformulation. Optional powder analysis uses materials you supply; it is not a laboratory testing panel.
START WITH THE PRODUCT BRIEF
A clear idea. A recipe to develop.
Tell us who the product is for, the ingredients you want, the flavor direction, and your target serving and budget. We confirm the development scope before bench work begins.
Explore custom formulation- Agree one formula/flavor, targets, deliverables, and upfront payment.
- Taste physical samples and give specific feedback within the agreed scope.
- Complete the formula before confirming production materials and readiness.
Formulation is $3,500 per formula/flavor for one agreed scope. You own the completed formula and receive supporting bench documentation. Third-party ingredient technology rights remain separate.
This choice changes the guidance below. It does not add services or change your estimate.
02 / FROM CONVERSATION TO FINISHED STICKS
Six stages.
A clear next move.
See what you bring, what we coordinate, and what gets confirmed along the way.
Change your starting point ↑DIRECTION
Start with the product.
We do not need you to arrive with every answer. We do need a clear picture of the product, what already exists, and what you want the finished sticks to look like.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDHave a supplier making your powder? Share its specifications and the available documentation. Tell us whether it arrives blended or as separate ingredients.
- You provide
- Formula status, complete grams per stick, total stick quantity, flavor split, sticks per retail pack, budget, and target timing.
- StickPax coordinates
- A review of your starting point and the services that match the actual work.
- Before moving forward
- What is ready, what is missing, and the next information needed for a useful quote.
SCOPE
Know what the quote covers.
Start with manufacturing labor, then identify materials and any additional work. A useful quote makes both the included costs and unresolved items visible.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDThe online tolling estimate assumes customer-supplied ingredients and packaging, with one SKU. Each additional manufacturing SKU/flavor adds $400.
- You provide
- Your preferred run, the quantities by flavor, supply responsibilities, and any testing or documentation requirements.
- StickPax coordinates
- Itemized manufacturing, packaging allowances, separately quoted ingredient sourcing when requested for 25,000+ total sticks, and separately selected services.
- Before moving forward
- The reviewed scope, exclusions, payment terms, and required inputs before the applicable work starts.
OPTIONAL PREPARATION
Do the preparation your product needs.
Creating a recipe and evaluating supplied powder are different jobs. Neither is automatically added because you need packaging or ingredient sourcing.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDOptional powder analysis is $750 for one blend, including one evaluation round and preproduction samples in blank sticks. Materials must come from you. Additional testing is separate.
- You provide
- An agreed development brief and required materials, or your own blend/ingredients for a separately selected powder analysis.
- StickPax coordinates
- The agreed formulation and sample-feedback work, or the supplied-blend evaluation and blank-stick samples.
- Before moving forward
- The completed formula or evaluation outcome, open questions, and any additional work needed before proceeding.
MATERIALS
Make the components fit the plan.
Powder weight alone does not determine stick dimensions. Confirm the actual blend, film requirements, artwork, and retail format before ordering new stock or sending materials.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDShare what you already own before buying more. Existing powder or film still needs review against the actual manufacturing setup.
- You provide
- Approved ingredient or blend specifications, available documentation, final artwork, and the components you agreed to supply.
- StickPax coordinates
- Packaging purchasing, material quantities, and receiving instructions; separately quoted ingredient sourcing at 25,000+ total sticks only. Below that, you supply all production ingredients and flavors.
- Before moving forward
- Who supplies each component, approved specifications and artwork, purchasing requirements, and where materials should go.
REVIEW
Agree the run before it runs.
A quote, a payment, or a checked planning list is not production approval on its own. The commercial and manufacturing requirements need to be ready together.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDA supplied blend still needs its material and packaging requirements confirmed. Tell us early about required tests, documents, or retailer specifications.
- You provide
- Required approvals, agreed payments, material information, and answers to any outstanding project questions.
- StickPax coordinates
- Review of the formula version, ingredients, packaging, artwork, agreed checks, and the production handoff.
- Before moving forward
- The applicable requirements are satisfied and the actual production schedule is confirmed for the project.
PRODUCTION & SHIPPING
Bring the finished format together.
The agreed scope moves through blending when needed, stick filling and sealing, and retail packout. We coordinate the project through the agreed finished-goods release and shipping arrangements.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDYour selected quantity is individual sticks across the order. Retail box or pouch counts follow the agreed sticks per pack and flavor split.
- You provide
- Confirmed packout instructions, flavor assortment, delivery details, and any project-specific shipping requirements.
- StickPax coordinates
- Manufacturing communication, agreed packout, release requirements, and shipment arrangements.
- Before moving forward
- Finished format, required release steps, final shipping details, and the remaining manufacturing balance, typically due at shipping.
DIRECTION
Start with the product.
We do not need you to arrive with every answer. We do need a clear picture of the product, what already exists, and what you want the finished sticks to look like.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDHave a supplier making your powder? Share its specifications and the available documentation. Tell us whether it arrives blended or as separate ingredients.
- You provide
- Formula status, complete grams per stick, total stick quantity, flavor split, sticks per retail pack, budget, and target timing.
- StickPax coordinates
- A review of your starting point and the services that match the actual work.
- Before moving forward
- What is ready, what is missing, and the next information needed for a useful quote.
SCOPE
Know what the quote covers.
Start with manufacturing labor, then identify materials and any additional work. A useful quote makes both the included costs and unresolved items visible.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDThe online tolling estimate assumes customer-supplied ingredients and packaging, with one SKU. Each additional manufacturing SKU/flavor adds $400.
- You provide
- Your preferred run, the quantities by flavor, supply responsibilities, and any testing or documentation requirements.
- StickPax coordinates
- Itemized manufacturing, packaging allowances, separately quoted ingredient sourcing when requested for 25,000+ total sticks, and separately selected services.
- Before moving forward
- The reviewed scope, exclusions, payment terms, and required inputs before the applicable work starts.
OPTIONAL PREPARATION
Do the preparation your product needs.
Creating a recipe and evaluating supplied powder are different jobs. Neither is automatically added because you need packaging or ingredient sourcing.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDOptional powder analysis is $750 for one blend, including one evaluation round and preproduction samples in blank sticks. Materials must come from you. Additional testing is separate.
- You provide
- An agreed development brief and required materials, or your own blend/ingredients for a separately selected powder analysis.
- StickPax coordinates
- The agreed formulation and sample-feedback work, or the supplied-blend evaluation and blank-stick samples.
- Before moving forward
- The completed formula or evaluation outcome, open questions, and any additional work needed before proceeding.
MATERIALS
Make the components fit the plan.
Powder weight alone does not determine stick dimensions. Confirm the actual blend, film requirements, artwork, and retail format before ordering new stock or sending materials.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDShare what you already own before buying more. Existing powder or film still needs review against the actual manufacturing setup.
- You provide
- Approved ingredient or blend specifications, available documentation, final artwork, and the components you agreed to supply.
- StickPax coordinates
- Packaging purchasing, material quantities, and receiving instructions; separately quoted ingredient sourcing at 25,000+ total sticks only. Below that, you supply all production ingredients and flavors.
- Before moving forward
- Who supplies each component, approved specifications and artwork, purchasing requirements, and where materials should go.
REVIEW
Agree the run before it runs.
A quote, a payment, or a checked planning list is not production approval on its own. The commercial and manufacturing requirements need to be ready together.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDA supplied blend still needs its material and packaging requirements confirmed. Tell us early about required tests, documents, or retailer specifications.
- You provide
- Required approvals, agreed payments, material information, and answers to any outstanding project questions.
- StickPax coordinates
- Review of the formula version, ingredients, packaging, artwork, agreed checks, and the production handoff.
- Before moving forward
- The applicable requirements are satisfied and the actual production schedule is confirmed for the project.
PRODUCTION & SHIPPING
Bring the finished format together.
The agreed scope moves through blending when needed, stick filling and sealing, and retail packout. We coordinate the project through the agreed finished-goods release and shipping arrangements.
FOR YOUR FINISHED BLENDYour selected quantity is individual sticks across the order. Retail box or pouch counts follow the agreed sticks per pack and flavor split.
- You provide
- Confirmed packout instructions, flavor assortment, delivery details, and any project-specific shipping requirements.
- StickPax coordinates
- Manufacturing communication, agreed packout, release requirements, and shipment arrangements.
- Before moving forward
- Finished format, required release steps, final shipping details, and the remaining manufacturing balance, typically due at shipping.
A sequence to understand the work—not a fixed weekly production schedule. Some preparation can overlap; the actual scope determines what applies.
Read the manufacturing guide03 / PREPARE FOR THE CONVERSATION
Six topics.
Bring what you know.
You don’t need a perfect brief to reach out. Use this list to organize what you have and spot the questions we can work through together.
0 / 6topics prepared
Not sure about something? Leave it unchecked and bring the question to us.
For your planning only. Checks are not sent or saved and do not approve a project for production.
04 / UNDERSTAND THE COMMITMENTS
Know when work starts.
Know when you pay.
The invoice and scope apply to specific work. Development, material purchasing, and manufacturing each have their own starting requirements.
Agree the development or evaluation.
Formulation: $3,500 for one agreed formula / flavor, payable 100% upfront after scope confirmation, before development begins. This term applies to formulation only.
Powder analysis: $750 for one blend, payable 100% upfront before evaluation. Customer-supplied blend or ingredients are required.
Formulation includes physical taste samples and up to six feedback rounds within scope. Optional analysis includes one evaluation and blank-stick samples; laboratory testing is separate.
Fund the materials you need.
Ingredients and packaging purchased by StickPax: 100% upfront before purchasing. Production ingredient sourcing is available only at 25,000+ total sticks.
Confirm specifications, quantities, artwork, and purchasing requirements first. If you supply materials, agree receiving instructions before sending them.
Confirm the manufacturing run.
Manufacturing, including additional manufacturing SKU fees: typically 50% upfront and 50% at shipping.
Payment does not replace material readiness, approvals, or the agreed checks. We confirm the applicable requirements and production schedule for your project.
Understand blendingFinal invoices confirm the actual amounts and payment schedule. Downloading an estimate does not place an order, collect payment, or reserve production.
See the complete pricing breakdownGET CLEAR BEFORE YOU START
A few things worth clearing up.
Who supplies ingredients for production?
Below 25,000 total sticks, you supply all production ingredients and the complete flavor system. Ingredient sourcing is available by separate quote at 25,000+ total sticks across all SKUs / flavors, subject to formula review and supplier requirements. Standalone bulk blending requires customer-supplied ingredients. Formulation and its sample development are unchanged, and packaging sourcing remains available below 25,000 sticks.
What do I need before I contact StickPax?
Start with your product idea or formula status, target grams per stick, total stick quantity, flavor split, and retail format. Share your budget and target timing too. You do not need every detail solved; tell us what you have and where you need help.
Can I bring powder made by another supplier?
Yes. Share the finished-blend specification, available documentation, complete fill weight, and material responsibilities. We review the powder and packaging requirements for your project. Bringing finished powder does not automatically require a new formulation.
How long will my project take?
Formulation generally takes 6–8 weeks once payment, the agreed brief, and required materials are ready. Complex blends, material availability, and feedback can extend that timeline. Manufacturing timing depends on the actual scope, material and artwork readiness, required checks, and production scheduling. We confirm project milestones rather than promise a fixed production lead time.
Will I receive samples before manufacturing?
Custom formulation includes physical taste samples and up to six sample-and-feedback rounds within scope. Optional $750 powder analysis evaluates one blend you supply and includes preproduction samples in blank sticks. These are separate services; samples are not automatically included with ingredient sourcing or packaging.
Should I buy ingredients or print packaging first?
Tell us what you already own. For new purchases, confirm the formula, quantities, ingredient and film specifications, artwork, retail format, and receiving instructions first. Powder weight alone does not establish stick dimensions.
When do I pay?
Manufacturing, including additional manufacturing SKU fees: typically 50% upfront and 50% at shipping. Ingredients and packaging purchased by StickPax: 100% upfront before purchasing. Production ingredient sourcing is available only at 25,000+ total sticks. Formulation: $3,500 for one agreed formula / flavor, payable 100% upfront after scope confirmation, before development begins. This term applies to formulation only. Powder analysis: $750 for one blend, payable 100% upfront before evaluation. Final invoices confirm the actual amounts and payment schedule.
Does completing the checklist mean my project is ready for production?
No. It is a planning aid for the information you can bring to a conversation. Your checks stay on this page only and are not sent or saved. StickPax still needs to review the actual formula, materials, packaging, approvals, and project requirements.
Does downloading a quote reserve production?
No. An online estimate is a starting point for review. Downloading it does not place an order, collect payment, send an email, or reserve production. Confirm the scope and complete the agreed commercial and manufacturing requirements with us.
Who handles each part of the project?
StickPax handles sales, marketing, brand development and project management. Our partner EnviroStar handles formulation and manufacturing in Minnesota. StickPax coordinates your brief, feedback and project updates from start to finish.
THE NEXT STEP DOESN’T NEED TO BE COMPLICATED
Bring what you have.
Let’s work out the rest.
A product idea, a finished powder, or a question about the run. Tell us where you are and we’ll help define the next step.
Configure full quote Choose your scope. Download your estimate. Send it to us.
An estimate starts the conversation. It does not place an order, collect payment, or reserve production.