How Long Does Glass Bottle Prototyping Take
Glass Bottle Prototyping – For B2B buyers in the spirits and beverage industry, the greatest risks in bespoke packaging aren’t just unit costs—they are timing and uncertainty. A missed launch window or a delayed test can cause significant commercial damage. At VetroPuro, we believe that transparency regarding lead times is the foundation of a successful partnership.
If you are planning a custom project, here is a realistic guide to the prototyping and development timelines you can expect.
The Prototyping Phase: 15 to 25 Days
The first step in bringing your vision to life is the creation of a sample (or trial) mould. The complexity of your design dictates the speed:
- Simple Designs: Standard round bottles can usually be finished within 15 to 18 days.
- Complex Designs: Bottles featuring intricate embossing, unique textures, or specialised neck finishes typically require the full 25 days.
Top Tip: Always account for seasonal peaks. Major holidays, such as Chinese New Year, can add a further 2 to 4 weeks to these estimates, so it is vital to plan your marketing calendar accordingly.
Review and Physical Testing: 2 to 3 Weeks
Once the samples are cast, they must reach you for evaluation. We typically ship samples via air courier, which takes 7 to 10 days.
This is a critical window for your team to perform quality checks and, crucially, compatibility tests with your actual product. We recommend allowing a minimum of two to three weeks for this review. If the samples require minor adjustments, planning for this extra “buffer” time ensures your launch remains on track.
The Leap to Production: 35 to 50 Days
After the sample is approved, we move to production mould construction. The duration depends on the volume of your order:
- Dual-cavity moulds: These take approximately 35 to 40 days.
- High-volume, multi-cavity moulds: For large-scale runs, these complex sets require 45 to 50 days to engineer.
Early physical prototypes are essential for identifying design improvements before mass production begins.
How to Save 4 to 6 Weeks
The most successful brands at VetroPuro often choose to overlap stages. By initiating the build of production moulds while the samples are in transit for testing, you can shave up to six weeks off the total project timeline. This requires confidence in the initial design but is a powerful strategy for meeting tight deadlines.
Summary of the Workflow
- Briefing & Design: Initial 2D/3D alignment.
- Sample Mould: 15–25 days.
- Transit & Testing: 2–3 weeks.
- Full Tooling: 35–50 days.
At VetroPuro, we don’t give generic answers; we provide a practical workflow tailored to your specific market and bottle complexity.
Are you working towards a specific launch date? Contact our project managers today for a bespoke development schedule that aligns with your bottling window.
