70% of purchases occur at the point of sale, and packaging is a paramount factor. It’s no different for cigarettes, as an aesthetically pleasing package will draw in customers.
A sleek, edgy cigarette pack will appeal to the modern market, whereas a more traditional design with plain colors may evoke a sense of sophistication among older buyers. Even the shape of the carton affects its sales, as many view square boxes as masculine and rounded boxes as more feminine.
To create a cigarette pack that appeals to your target market, you need to understand them and choose the right cigarette packing machine for your business. Continue reading, as this article will guide you through the process.
What Is the Size of a Standard Cigarette Pack?
The standard cigarette pack varies by country and region. It even depends on the specific type of cigarette pack you use.
In the US and EU, the exact specification is that one box holds 20 cigarettes. Other countries vary on this specification, with Australia allowing up to 50 cigarettes per pack. Government regulations influence these pack sizes to regulate consumption.
King-sized cigarette packs have become increasingly common; below are their standard dimensions, including variations:
| Cigarette Type | Cigarette Length | Common Pack Capacity | Approximate Pack Dimensions (inches) | Approximate Pack Dimensions (cm) |
| Regular | ~70 mm (~2.75 in) | 10, 20 | 3.5 x 2.25 x 0.88 (for 20) | 8.9 x 5.7 x 2.2 |
| King Size | ~84 mm (~3.3 in) | 20 | Varies by manufacturer | 10 x 6 x 2.5 |
| 100s (Longs) | ~100 mm (~3.9 in) | 20, 25 | 3.9 x 2.2 x 0.8 (approx.) | 9.9 x 5.5 x 2.0 |
You need to stay updated on the regulatory requirements for cigarette packing in your country before selecting a cigarette packaging machine.
Types of Cigarette Packs
Just as the sizes and dimensions vary, you can package your cigarettes in various kinds of packs. Below are some of the most common ones:
Hardpack
These are cigarette boxes that are made of paperboard, rigid cardboard, or plastic. They typically contain the standard 20 pieces and vary depending on how the content is extracted.
- Flip-top: Also known as the hinged lid pack. As the name implies, the pack has a top that may be opened to collect the cigarettes and closes back. It features aluminum foil lining to protect the product from environmental factors and offers convenience even for consumers who place packs in their pockets.
- Slide and shell: Here, you slide open the box to access the cigarettes. It’s also known as a slide pack and typically features a sleek, modern design. Premium cigarette brands widely use it.
- Slim boxes: These packs also have a modern appearance, being taller and narrower than typical cigarette packs. This design is tailored for smokers who prefer thinner or lighter cigarettes, which typically carry a lower price tag.
Soft pack
A soft pack is a more traditional cigarette box made of paper or flexible cardboard. It is less expensive and, by nature, offers less protection for the cigarettes. Some consumers may find it convenient not to have to open the pack constantly. However, it is generally disposed of after use.
E-cigarettes
These are electronic devices that heat a liquid to produce vapor for inhalation. They come in various forms, one of which is cigalikes, which, as the name implies, are e-cigarettes that look like the traditional version.
A premade bag packaging machine will arrange a single e-cigarette or its starter kit in a suitable pack.
Cartons
These are the secondary packaging for cigarettes. The primary packaging, such as hard or soft packs, is sealed in a sturdy carton for storage and transportation.
Mini boxes
These are more miniature packs designed primarily for convenience. They can contain as few as 10 cigarettes per pack. They may be helpful for travel or for occasional and seasonal smokers. The compact design features dimensions of 3.5 x 1.675 x 0.7 inches.
Collectible boxes
Some individuals collect cigarette packs based on the year they were manufactured, the warning labels, and the number of cigarettes they hold, among other factors. Certain companies have created packs tailored to this purpose, which are often made of metal, for instance, and labeled as collectibles. The price of such a pack also varies depending on whether it is empty or full.
Cigarette Packing Machines
Cartoning Machine
These machines work by automatically folding a flat pre-cut carton blank, opening it, and loading a pre-filled group of cigarettes from an infeed chain. The cigarette packing machine then closes the carton by tucking in or gluing the flaps. Sometimes, it is sealed with tape or hot-melt glue.
An electronic weighing machine is typically integrated to measure the weight of the cut tobacco in real time. The cigarette cartoning machine may be used for boxed cigarettes, such as the hard or soft packs.
L-bar Film Sealer
This machine, named for its shape, uses heat to create secure seals around products with a shrink packaging film, often centerfold polyolefin or BOPP for cigarette boxes.
The L-bar film sealer works by feeding the shrink film from a roll, separating it into two layers onto which the cigarette pack is placed. The L-shaped sealing bar then descends and seals the open edges with heat, and excess film is wound onto a waste film take-up reel.
Your cigarette package could even have the heat-sensitive film shrink and conform tightly to the product’s shape when passed through a heat-shrink funnel, where hot air is applied.
Premade Bag Packaging Machine
DoyPack Machines are ideal for e-cigarettes because pre-formed pouches and film blanks are loaded into the magazine or hopper. Vacuum suction pads and air blowers work in concert to fully open the pouch. A suitable dosing system then dispenses a precise measure of product into the package (the single e-cigarette or starter kit).
During operation, sensors detect whether the premade bag is present and properly positioned. If not, the machine automatically halts the process, preventing damage and loss of e-cigarettes.
Heat-sealing bars or ultrasonic sealing create an airtight seal on the open part of the package. This is strengthened when a cooling bar passes over it.
Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine
A VFFS machine automates the packaging process for cigarettes. It begins by taking a roll of packing film, forming it into a tube, filling it with cigarettes, and then sealing and cutting the sealed package.
Horizontal sealing jaws create the top of one bag and the bottom of the next, while the cigarettes are dropped inside through the forming tube. Finally, the jaws cut the bag from the continuous roll, and the cycle repeats.
The vertical form-fill-seal machine can be used to package hinged lids or soft packs.
Cellophane Wrapping Machines
This machine uses a system of pneumatic and mechanical components to automatically wrap a sheet of cellophane film around a cigarette pack. The process involves the machine taking a cigarette pack, feeding it into a sheet of cellophane, folding the film around it, and sealing the edges using heat and pressure. The use of PLC and servo systems allows for precision and speed.
Some of the key components of a cellophane wrapping machine include:
- A pneumatic system that uses compressed air to power and control the movement of components like grippers, folders, and sealers.
- A programmable logic controller that manages the entire operation, ensuring precise timing and coordination of all parts.
- A servo motor used for pulling and positioning the film for speed and accuracy of the process.
- Molds that can be quickly changed to accommodate different sizes of cigarette packs.
Carton Wrapping Machines
This machine performs a similar function to the cellophane wrapping machines in cigarette packing. The significant difference is that carton wrapping machines group packs into larger cartons.
The wrapper on the carton may be secured in place by heat-sealing methods or adhesive sealing, where hot glue is applied to the flaps of the paperboard cartons before they are folded and pressed into place.
Some machines, known as monoblock machines, perform all stages, from loose cigarettes to a finished, wrapped carton, within a single integrated system.
How Much Is a Cigarette Packing Machine?
We’ve primarily covered industrial cigarette packing machines, but you can also find a simpler, personal-use machine for as low as $100. However, the machines that’ll package the high-quality cigarettes for your customers range from $700 for semi-automatic machines to $600,000 for large-scale, high-speed industrial cigarette packing machines.
The major factors that affect a cigarette packing machine’s costs include:
- Automation level
- Production capacity
- Additional functionalities, such as cellophane wrapping and hinge-lid packing.
- Condition of the machine (whether brand new or used)
- The machine brand and warranty
Conclusion
A cigarette packaging machine will increase your production and ensure consistently high-quality packaging. However, ensure that you assess the various cigarette packs, regulatory requirements, and your audience preferences to maximize its results.