Ketchup Portion Pack | Custom Printed Single-Use Condiment Sachet with Easy-Open Notch for QSR, Hotels, Restaurants & Takeaway
The 5-Second Rule That Matters - How a Perfectly Designed Ketchup Packet Can Transform Your Customer's Experience
Take a moment and think about the last time you opened a ketchup packet. Were you successful on the first try? Did it tear in a straight line? Did any ketchup end up on your fingers? For most people, the answer is "no" to at least one of these questions. And that is a problem.
Because here is the reality: your customers are not thinking about your brand when they struggle with a packet. They are thinking about the struggle itself. They are frustrated. And that frustration attaches itself - unfairly but truly - to your restaurant, your hotel, or your takeaway service.
The good news? It does not have to be this way. QuickTear™ ketchup portion packs are engineered to open on the first try, tear cleanly every time, and deliver exactly what your customer wants - no mess, no fuss, no frustration.
This guide explains why your choice of condiment packaging matters more than you think, and how we can help you get it right.
The Hidden Cost of a Bad Packet
What Happens When a Packet Fails?
Let us walk through a scenario. A customer orders takeaway. They drive home. They unpack their food. They reach for a ketchup packet. They pull. Nothing happens. They pull harder. The packet tears at an angle. Ketchup squirts onto their hand, their fries, their container. They clean up. They eat. But the moment is ruined.
What did that cost you?
| Cost Type |
Amount |
| The packet itself |
Pennies |
| The wasted food |
Small |
| The customer's goodwill |
Priceless |
You cannot afford to lose customer goodwill over a poorly designed packet.
The Quiet Damage
Bad packets do not always cause dramatic failures. Sometimes they just cause small annoyances, repeated over and over.
- A packet that requires two hands to open
- A packet that tears crookedly, making dispensing awkward
- A packet with a notch that is hard to find
- A packet that leaks a little in the takeaway bag
Each of these is a small negative mark against your brand. Alone, they are minor. Together, over thousands of customers, they erode loyalty.
The QuickTear™ Difference
| Problem |
QuickTear™ Solution |
| Notch hard to find |
Printed arrow clearly indicates tear point |
| Won't tear on first try |
Precision-cut notch opens every time |
| Tears crookedly |
Engineered tear path stays straight |
| Ketchup squirts out |
Controlled tear size, clean opening |
| Leaks in bag |
Triple-tested seals, zero leaks |
| Ketchup tastes old |
High-barrier film preserves freshness |
Inside the QuickTear™ Packet - Engineering Excellence
The Three Critical Elements
Every great condiment packet rests on three pillars.
Pillar One: The Tear Notch
Precision is everything. Too shallow, and the packet won't tear. Too deep, and it might leak. Our notches are calculated specifically for your film thickness.
Pillar Two: The Film Structure
Your ketchup needs protection from oxygen, moisture, and light. Our multi-layer films provide that protection without adding unnecessary cost.
Pillar Three: The Heat Seal
If the seal fails, everything fails. Our heat-sealing process creates a hermetic closure that survives shipping, storage, and handling.
How the Tear Notch Works (In Plain English)
Imagine a piece of paper with a small cut on the edge. Pull from that cut, and the paper tears easily along a straight line. That is exactly how our tear notch works.
The notch creates a stress concentration point. When your customer pulls, the force focuses at the notch, and the film tears in a controlled, predictable direction.
No notch? The film would stretch and resist - frustrating your customer.
Poor notch? The tear might wander - causing ketchup to come out the wrong way.
Right notch? Perfect tear, every time.
Types of Tear Notches We Offer
| Type |
Manufacturing Method |
Tear Quality |
Best Use Case |
| Standard V-notch |
Precision die cut |
Excellent |
Most ketchup packets |
| Laser score |
Laser ablation |
Superior |
Premium products, cleanest tear |
| Double notch |
Two precision cuts |
Superior |
Large packets (15ml+) |
| Reinforced notch |
Die cut + score |
Excellent |
Extra-durable films |
Film Science - Keeping Your Ketchup Fresh
What Happens to Ketchup Over Time
Fresh ketchup is bright red, thick, and flavorful. Old ketchup is darker, thinner, and less vibrant. The difference? Exposure to oxygen and moisture over time.
| Time |
Effect on Ketchup |
| 0-3 months |
Fresh, bright red, good flavor |
| 3-6 months |
Slight darkening, still good |
| 6-9 months |
Noticeable darkening, flavor decline |
| 9-12 months |
Significant darkening, noticeable flavor loss |
| 12-18 months |
Brownish, thin, off-flavor |
Our premium barrier film extends the "still good" window significantly.
Our Film Grades
Standard Grade (2-Layer)
| Layer |
Material |
Job |
| Outer |
PET |
Holds printing, looks professional |
| Inner |
PE |
Seals packet, touches ketchup |
- Fresh window: 6-9 months
- Still good window: 9-12 months
- Best for: Local restaurants, fast turnover
Premium Grade (3-Layer)
| Layer |
Material |
Job |
| Outer |
PET |
Printing and protection |
| Barrier |
VMPET |
Blocks oxygen, light, and moisture |
| Inner |
PE |
Seals and protects |
- Fresh window: 9-12 months
- Still good window: 12-18 months
- Best for: Export, preservative-free ketchup, long distribution
Which Film Is Right for You?
| Your Situation |
Recommended Grade |
| Ketchup consumed within 6 months |
Standard |
| Ketchup exported by sea |
Premium |
| Preservative-free recipe |
Premium |
| Premium brand positioning |
Premium |
| Cost-sensitive project |
Standard |
| Maximum shelf life needed |
Premium |
Custom Printing - Your Brand on Every Packet
The Marketing Opportunity
Every packet is a touchpoint. Think about how many packets you go through in a week. Each one carries your logo, your colors, your message. That is not packaging. That is marketing.
What You Should Print
| Information |
Priority |
Why |
| Your logo |
High |
Brand recognition |
| "KETCHUP" |
High |
Customers need to identify it |
| Tear arrow |
High |
Shows where to open |
| "Tear here" text |
Medium |
Reinforces easy-open message |
| Expiration date |
Required |
Food safety |
| Best before date |
Required |
Quality assurance |
| Barcode |
For retail |
Scanning at checkout |
| Website/QR code |
Optional |
Engagement |
Printing Options
| Method |
Best For |
Colors |
Quality |
| Rotogravure |
Large volumes (500k+) |
Up to 10 |
Photorealistic |
| Flexography |
Medium volumes (100k-500k) |
Up to 8 |
Very good |
Design Tips That Work
- Red sells. Use red as your primary color. It signals ketchup.
- Show the notch location. Print an arrow pointing to the tear notch.
- Keep text legible. Minimum 6pt font. 8pt is safer.
- High contrast. White or yellow text on red background.
- Simple is better. Do not clutter the small space.
No artwork? Send us your logo. We will create professional designs for you.
Sizing Guide
Standard Sizes for Food Service
| Volume |
Name |
Best For |
Typical Dimensions |
| 5ml |
Mini |
Hotel minibar, room service |
30 x 50mm |
| 8ml |
Small |
Children's meals |
33 x 55mm |
| 9ml |
Standard |
Fast food - most popular |
35 x 60mm |
| 10ml |
Regular |
Takeaways, food service |
38 x 65mm |
| 12ml |
Large |
Hungry customers |
40 x 65mm |
| 15ml |
Extra Large |
Premium sauces, honey |
40 x 70mm |
| 20ml |
Jumbo |
Share size, dressings |
45 x 75mm |
The Industry Standard
The 9ml packet (35mm x 60mm) is used by most major QSR chains worldwide. It is the size your customers already know.
Custom Sizes
Need something different? Contact us with your specifications.
Quality Assurance
Testing Is Not Optional
Every batch of QuickTear™ packets goes through our quality protocol. No exceptions.
What We Test
| Test |
Method |
What We Look For |
| Seal integrity |
Tensile pull |
Strength >20 Newtons |
| Burst resistance |
Pressure test |
No failure at 25 PSI |
| Leak prevention |
Vacuum chamber |
Zero bubbles at 20 in Hg |
| Tear performance |
Manual pull |
Clean tear on first try |
| Print accuracy |
Visual + measurement |
Matches approved sample |
| Color consistency |
Densitometer |
Within acceptable range |
Our Certifications
| Certification |
What It Means For You |
| ISO 9001:2015 |
We have a certified quality system |
| FDA |
Safe for US food contact |
| EU 10/2011 |
Safe for European food contact |
| BPA-free |
No harmful chemicals |
Who Uses QuickTear™ Packets
Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)
McDonald-style burger chains. Chicken restaurants. Pizza places. Taco shops. Sandwich shops.
What you need: Millions of packets, identical quality, reliable supply, competitive price.
What we deliver: All of the above.
Hotels
Breakfast buffets. Room service. Conference catering. Poolside dining. Executive lounges.
What you need: Professional appearance, your logo, reliable performance.
What we deliver: Custom printing, consistent quality, professional presentation.
Takeaways and Delivery
Fish and chips. Burgers. Chinese. Indian. Pizza. Ghost kitchens. Delivery-only brands.
What you need: Durable packets that survive delivery, easy for customers to open.
What we deliver: Strong seals, reliable tear notch, customer-friendly design.
Cafeterias and Workplace Dining
Corporate cafeterias. School lunches. Hospital food service. University dining.
What you need: Cost-effective, reliable, consistent.
What we deliver: Value pricing, dependable quality.
Food Service Distributors
Companies that supply restaurants, hotels, and institutions.
What you need: Wide range, bulk packaging, consistent supply.
What we deliver: All sizes, all volumes, reliable lead times.
Ordering Process
Four Simple Steps
Step 1: Tell Us Your Needs
Send us:
- Product (ketchup, mustard, etc.)
- Packet size (ml)
- Estimated quantity
- Any special requirements
Step 2: Receive Quote
Within 24 hours:
- Pricing
- Sample costs
- Timeline
- Film recommendation
Step 3: Approve Samples
We produce printed samples. Empty packets. You test.
Step 4: Production and Delivery
You approve. We manufacture. We test. We ship.
Lead Times
| Order Type |
Typical Timeline |
| Unprinted sample |
7-10 days |
| Printed sample |
15-20 days |
| Production (after approval) |
20-30 days |
Minimum Orders
| Order Type |
Minimum Quantity |
| Unprinted sample |
10,000 packets |
| Printed sample |
50,000 packets |
| Production |
100,000 packets |
Shipping
| Parameter |
Detail |
| FOB ports |
Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen |
| Incoterms |
EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR |
| Packets per 20FT |
500,000 - 1,000,000 (size dependent) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you match the size of major brand packets?
A: Yes. We can match standard industry dimensions. We cannot copy trademarks.
Q: How long does the ketchup stay fresh?
A: Standard film: 6-12 months. Premium film: 12-18 months.
Q: Do you fill the packets?
A: We manufacture empty packets. We can refer filling partners.
Q: Can I get samples before ordering?
A: Yes. Highly recommended. Test before you commit.
Q: What is a tear notch?
A: A small cut that makes the packet easy to tear open.
Q: Can the notch be placed differently?
A: Yes. Tell us your preference.
Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: Yes. Worldwide.
Q: Can you help with design?
A: Yes. Send your logo and colors.
Q: What are payment terms?
A: 50% deposit, 50% against shipping documents.
Q: What if packets are defective?
A: We replace them or credit your account.
Why QuickTear™?
We Specialize
Condiment packets are not a side business for us. They are our focus. This specialization means we do them better.
We Test
Every batch. Every time. No exceptions.
We Deliver
Realistic lead times. Consistent quality. On-time shipping.
We Stand Behind Our Work
Problems are rare. When they happen, we fix them fast.
Conclusion: Make the Switch to QuickTear™
Your customers deserve a packet that opens on the first try, tears cleanly, and dispenses perfectly. Your brand deserves packaging that reflects your quality.
QuickTear™ delivers:
- Precision tear notch - opens every time
- High-barrier film - keeps ketchup fresh
- Custom printing - your brand, professional
- Rigorous testing - consistent quality
- Factory direct - competitive pricing
From 5ml to 20ml. From thousands to millions. QuickTear™ has you covered.