The Perfect Small Scale Packaging Setup

Rinsing

Before filling, bottles must be clean and hygienic. A bench-top or semi-automatic bottle rinser is a great first step for small producers, allowing you to rinse bottles internally with water or a sanitising solution. These systems are simple to use and can be connected to either a closed loop or a direct water supply. Optional filtration can be added to improve water quality and avoid cross-contamination during production.

Filling

There are a number of different filling solutions available depending on the style of beverage you're bottling. For those working with wine, spirits, oils, or juices, gravity-fed fillers or vacuum fillers are both popular options.

Gravity-fed fillers are available in a range of sizes, from compact four-head units up to six-head machines, and can be mounted either on a bench or as freestanding units. They’re straightforward to operate and well suited to products where foaming isn’t a concern. Flow control can be enhanced with the addition of pumps or float valves to regulate the incoming liquid.

Vacuum fillers offer a more controlled and gentle fill, particularly for delicate or higher-value products such as spirits. These bench-top machines use vacuum pressure to draw liquid directly into the bottle without the product ever touching a pump. They’re highly accurate, easy to adjust, and can be adapted for miniature bottles or large-format packaging with the right accessories. Multi-head options are also available for greater throughput.

Capping

Once bottles are filled, a reliable method of sealing them is essential. For products sealed with ROPP closures, semi-automatic capping machines offer an efficient solution. These units can be configured for different closure sizes and bottle heights, and are available in both pneumatic and fully electric formats depending on your production environment.

Labelling

A clean, professional label application is the final step in presenting your product to market. Semi-automatic labelling machines are a flexible solution for small producers, able to handle both round and square bottles with minimal setup. With the right attachments, front and back labels can be applied in a single cycle, and optional sensors allow the use of transparent or delicate label stock.

These labellers are compact and easy to adjust between formats, making them ideal for producers with multiple SKUs or varying bottle shapes.

Tip: Build a line that works for you

The beauty of a small-scale bottling setup is its flexibility. Start with the essentials like rinsing, filling, capping and labelling, and expand or refine as your business grows. All of the equipment listed above is designed for ease of use, fast changeovers, and minimal maintenance, making it perfect for producers who want to keep things simple without compromising on quality.

To find out more about how we can help set up your bottling line, get in touch with the Q-Pack team today.