The ketchup packet is one of the most overlooked pieces of packaging in the food service industry. Restaurant owners ignore it. Customers take it for granted. Suppliers treat it as a commodity.

But here is the truth: that little packet is a direct connection between your brand and your customer. Every time someone opens one, they form a tiny opinion about your operation.

We built Snap & Sauce™ for food service professionals who understand that small details matter. This guide explains everything you need to know about custom ketchup portion packs - from the tear notch to the film to the printing - and why choosing the right supplier makes a real difference to your business.

After thousands of hours of testing and millions of packets produced, we have identified exactly what makes a ketchup packet excel.

Let us also be honest about what fails.

Snap & Sauce™ packets are designed to avoid every single one of these problems.

• The Tear Notch: A precision cut on the edge. Makes opening effortless.
• The Multi-Layer Film: Blocks oxygen and moisture. Keeps ketchup fresh.
• The Heat Seal: Hermetically closes the packet. No leaks. No contamination.

Think about the customer experience. They have fries getting cold. They have a burger in one hand. They need ketchup. They grab your packet. They find the notch. They pull.

In that two-second window, your packaging either serves them or fails them. A good notch means they succeed. A bad notch means they struggle.

We have made sure your customers succeed.

Our recommendation: Top edge, center. It is what customers expect.

Standard Grade - Perfect for Most Food Service

• Shelf life: 6-12 months
• Best for: Local restaurants, takeaways, hotels with good turnover
• Cost: Most economical

Premium Grade - For Longer Life and Export

• Shelf life: 12-18 months
• Best for: Export, preservative-free ketchup, long distribution chains
• Cost: Slightly higher, worth it for the protection

A customer sits in your restaurant. They look at your packet. They see your logo. They open it. They squeeze it. They throw it away.

In those few seconds, your brand made an impression. Now multiply that by every customer. Every day. Every location. That is thousands of impressions. For the cost of a small packet.

Rotogravure - For Large Volumes (500,000+ packets)

• Up to 10 colors
• Photorealistic quality
• Higher initial tooling, lower per-unit cost

Flexography - For Medium Volumes (100,000-500,000 packets)

• Up to 8 colors
• Very good quality
• Lower initial tooling

• Red is king. Red packets sell more ketchup. It is the color customers expect.
• Show the notch. Print an arrow pointing to the tear notch.
• Keep text large enough. 6pt minimum. 8pt is better.
• Use contrast. White text on red background works well.
• Keep it simple. A cluttered packet confuses customers.

No Artwork? No Problem. Send us your logo and brand colors. Our design team creates professional artwork. No charge for basic design.

The 9ml packet (approximately 35mm x 60mm) is used by most major fast food chains worldwide. It is the size customers are most familiar with.

Need something different? Tell us your required dimensions. We will manufacture to your specification.

Burger joints. Chicken chains. Pizza places. Taco shops. Sandwich shops.

What you need: Millions of packets. Exactly the same. Every time. On time.

What we deliver: Consistent quality. Reliable supply. Competitive pricing.

Breakfast buffets. Room service. Conference catering. Poolside cafes. Minibars.

What you need: Professional appearance. Reliable performance. Custom branding.

What we deliver: Sharp printing. Consistent tear notch. Your logo on every packet.

Fish and chips. Burgers. Chinese. Indian. Pizza delivery. Ghost kitchens.

What you need: Durable packets that survive delivery. Easy for customers to open.

What we deliver: Strong seals. Reliable tear notch. Customer-approved design.

Companies that supply restaurants, hotels, and institutions.

What you need: Wide product range. Bulk packaging. Consistent supply.

What we deliver: All sizes. All volumes. Reliable lead times.

Corporate catering. Wedding catering. Event catering. Airline catering.

What you need: Professional presentation. Bulk quantities. Reliable performance.

What we deliver: Custom printed. Works every time. Scales to your volume.

Every packet we make goes through rigorous testing. We do not spot-check. We batch-check.

Every batch has a unique number. Every number traces to raw materials, production date, and quality records. If there is ever a problem, we find the source fast.

• Step 1: Tell Us Your Needs - Email us: Product type, packet size, estimated annual quantity, any special requirements
• Step 2: Receive Quote - Within 24 hours: Pricing, sample costs, production timeline, film recommendation
• Step 3: Approve Samples - We produce empty printed samples. Ship to you. You test.
• Step 4: Production and Delivery - You approve. We manufacture. We test. We ship.

Smaller quantities may be available for startups. Contact us to discuss.

FOB ports: Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen

Incoterms: EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR

Q: Can you match McDonald's or Heinz packet size?
A: Yes. We can match standard industry dimensions. We cannot copy trademarks or proprietary designs.

Q: How long does ketchup stay fresh?
A: Standard 2-layer film: 6-12 months. Premium 3-layer film: 12-18 months.

Q: Do you fill the packets with ketchup?
A: We manufacture empty packets. We can refer you to trusted contract filling partners.

Q: Can I get samples before ordering?
A: Yes. Highly recommended. You test. You approve.

Q: What exactly is a tear notch?
A: A small cut on the sealed edge that makes the packet easy to tear open.

Q: Can the tear notch be on the side instead of the top?
A: Yes. Tell us your preference.

Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: Yes. Worldwide. Current customers in North America, Europe, Australia, Middle East, and Asia.

Q: Can you help with packet design?
A: Yes. Send your logo and colors. Our designers create artwork.

Q: What are your payment terms?
A: 50% deposit, 50% against bill of lading for new clients.

Q: What if I receive defective packets?
A: We replace them or credit your account. Your satisfaction is our reputation.

• We Are Specialists: We do not make hundreds of different products. We focus on flexible packaging for condiments and sauces. This focus means we are really good at it.
• We Test Rigorously: Other manufacturers spot-check. We batch-check. Every production run goes through our quality protocol.
• We Deliver on Time: Food service runs on schedules. We know that. We quote realistic lead times. We meet them.
• We Offer Real Value: Factory direct pricing. No middlemen. No unnecessary markups. You get quality packaging at fair prices.
• We Stand Behind Our Work: A problem with your order? We fix it. Replacements or credit. No arguments.

A ketchup packet costs pennies. But it can cost you customers if it fails. Snap & Sauce™ packets are designed to work perfectly. Every time.

• Tear notch: Precision cut. Opens cleanly.
• Film: Multi-layer barrier. Keeps ketchup fresh.
• Seals: Hermetically closed. No leaks.
• Printing: Custom. Professional. Your brand.

From 5ml to 20ml. From standard to premium film. From 10,000 to 10 million packets.

Let us make your condiment packaging work for you, not against you.

Tell us your packet size and quantity. Receive a quote within 24 hours. Samples available.