Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sourcing Stick Packaging

While designs vary between simple lip balms and complex deodorant sticks, the fundamental anatomy of a propel/repel container includes four to five key components:

• • Cap (Cover): The external lid that protects the product from contamination and ensures the package remains travel-safe.
• • Barrel (Outer Shell): The main body of the container that houses the product reservoir and provides the gripping surface for branding and decoration.
• • Elevator (Platform/Piston): The internal cup or disc that sits inside the barrel. It must fit tightly against the barrel walls to prevent leakage but move smoothly to push the product upward.
• • Mechanism (Spindle/Screw): The internal threaded rod connected to the elevator. When the user turns the dial (usually at the bottom), this screw rotates, driving the elevator up or down.

Often found in deodorants and high-end balms, this piece is called a Shive, Inner Disc, or Dome Fitment. It serves three critical functions:

1. Molding the Shape: For bottom-filled products, this disc is inserted before filling. The hot liquid is poured against it, allowing the product to cool into a perfect, smooth dome shape.
2. Prevents Shrinkage: It creates an airtight seal directly on the formula's surface, preventing volatile ingredients (like alcohol or water) from evaporating and causing the product stick to shrink or pull away from the walls.
3. Hygiene & Tamper Evidence: It assures the consumer that the product has not been touched or tested prior to purchase.

Stick packaging is engineered for high-viscosity, solid, or semi-solid formulas. Based on common industry categories, here are the primary applications:

• Deodorant Sticks
  • • Standard Format: Oval or round barrels with a propel/repel (twist) mechanism.
  • • Capacity: Typically 30g – 75g (1oz – 2.5oz).
  • • Key Feature: Wide application surface designed for underarm coverage.
  • • Trend: Refillable cases with replaceable inner cartridges are growing in popularity to reduce plastic waste.
• Hair & Body Sticks
  • • Format: Often larger, wider sticks (sometimes called "jumbo" or "chubby" sticks) to cover larger skin areas quickly.
  • • Applications:
    • • Hair: Wax sticks for flyaways, styling pomades, and solid shampoo bars.
    • • Body: Anti-chafe balms, solid body butters, muscle relief balms, and body blur/shimmer sticks.
  • • Key Feature: Robust mechanisms designed to handle harder, waxier formulations without jamming.
• Lip Balm Sticks
  • • Format: Slim, pocket-sized cylindrical tubes (approx. 15mm diameter).
  • • Capacity: 4g – 7g (0.15oz – 0.25oz).
  • • Mechanism: Simple twist-up bottom.
  • • Trend: "Push-up" paperboard tubes are increasingly replacing plastic for a 100% plastic-free option.
• Sunscreen Sticks
  • • Format: Often flat, wide, or teardrop-shaped for ergonomic handling and targeted application on the face (nose, ears, forehead).
  • • Key Requirement:
    • • Airtight Seals: Many sunscreen sticks require airtight caps to prevent volatile ingredients from evaporating.
    • • Material: Must be compatible with chemical UV filters (often requiring PP or specific barrier liners).

Yes, suppliers are increasingly offering eco-conscious stick solutions:

• • Mono-Material Sticks:Traditionally, sticks used multiple plastics (PP, PE, POM) for the mechanism, making recycling difficult. New mono-material designs use a single resin (usually Polypropylene - PP) for the cap, barrel, and mechanism, making the entire unit recycle-ready.
• • Sticks made with PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled): Sticks made with 30-100% PCR plastic reduce reliance on virgin fossil fuels.
• • Refillable Sticks: Premium "keepsake" cases allow consumers to purchase simple refills.

When sourcing stick packaging, it is critical to find a partner that fits your specific needs, whether that is full-service manufacturing or specialized component sourcing.

• • Federal Package
  • • Location: Minnesota, USA
  • • Specialties: A turnkey solution for brands seeking "Made in USA" speed and quality. Federal Package is both a manufacturer of containers and a contract filler. They specialize in deodorant, lip balm, and sunscreen sticks, offering end-to-end services from R&D formulation to filling and retail-ready packaging.
• • WWP Beauty
  • • Location: Taicang, China
  • • Specialties: Ideal for brands looking for a vast library of "on-trend" stock options. WWP Beauty offers an extensive range of stock stick components, including their award-winning "Refill Revolution" multi-use face and body sticks. They are known for premium decoration capabilities and sustainable material options like PCR and bio-resins.
• • Choebe Group
  • • Location: Dongguan, China
  • • Specialties: A powerhouse for mass-market and prestige cosmetic sticks. Choebe offers a wide variety of stock molds including chubby sticks, dual-ended pens, and slim concealer sticks. They are highly capable in custom decoration, offering intricate silk screening, hot stamping, and custom coloring to elevate stock components.
• • JCOP Korea (Jeong Hun)
  • • Location: South Korea
  • • Specialties: The go-to source for K-Beauty innovation and high-quality lipstick mechanisms. JCOP specializes in precise dispensing systems for lipsticks, multi-sticks, and lip glosses. They offer an impressive library of stock molds with a focus on airtight seals and premium aesthetic finishes typical of the Korean beauty market.