Chocolate without Soy Products
Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)
There are makers who use PGPR (polyglycerol polyricinoleate) instead of lecithin. Usually from castor beans.
Forum Activity for @Mark Heim
Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)
There are makers who use PGPR (polyglycerol polyricinoleate) instead of lecithin. Usually from castor beans.
Chocolate without Soy Products
Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)
I am seeking a chocolate with no soy products added (including soy lecithin). Can anyone recommend a maker? Can be either dark or milk. I know someone who is allergic to soy and would like to make some truffles for him. Thanks.
updated by @Danielle: 12/13/24 12:16:07
Box labels
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques
Yes, they can - if it's part of the design. There are a number of on-line barcode generators. If you need real UPC codes and numbers you have to purchase the UPC codes. One you have them (they are supplied digitally), any printer can print them.
Box labels
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Thanks so much for this info Clay and Deanna! I am also struggling to figure out how to proceed with labeling for my product and will definitely explore this possibility.
Box labels
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Do the label printers also print bar codes? I'm starting to work with a few corporate clients, and I think they're going to want some sort of bar coding to enter my product into their systems.
Box labels
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I agree with Clay. By printing your own labels you get much more control and flexibility as you are starting up. Here are two of the higher-end label-printers I know of:Primera: http://www.primeralabel.com/ Labeltronix: http://labeltronix.com/ There are probably more though.We print some of our own labels in black & white from a regular canon printer, and get our blank labels from onlinelables.com. Using a good "regular" printer works too.Should you go a different route, you can get an online quote for short-run printed labels from lightninglabels.com. They are cheap (for short runs), easy, fast & great quality. As long as the labels are the same size, you can have several variations with very little additional costs since they do everything digitally and there are no plate fees, etc...hope this helps.Best!
Box labels
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Thank you Clay. Do you have any suggestions for high quality label printers?
Box labels
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Although the up-front costs can be higher than getting someone else to print labels for you, consider a label printing machine.You can get label stock that fits your boxes and literally print only exactly the quantity you need. Zero waste.You can create a basic template that you use over and over again, and then make variations for specific boxes.In the end, you can save a lot of money this way and even open up corporate/gifting options with custom labels with your customers' logos. Most machines are not too much larger than a multi-function printer/copier/fax machine.
Box labels
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques
I'm getting close to launching my chocolate brand and I'm struggling with labels right now. Are there any tips for accommodating differing ingredients and weights by box? I'd like to print the labels in bulk to save on cost, but I don't want to be stuck into a certain flavor combination dictated by my ingredient label, and while my boxes fit a standard number of pieces, depending on what those pieces are the weights vary. I'm in MA and have tried reaching out to the state's regulating authority on this, but haven't been able to get through. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
updated by @Valerie: 04/11/25 09:27:36
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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We sell our chocolate bars wholesale to stores across the country. Shipping costs are a sensitive issue for a lot of stores. I've ordered excellent shipping containers from a company specializing in warm weather shipping materials. The containers (which can hold 130 of our bars) cost $15. Then the cost to ship them to me is almost $10 per box because they take up so much empty air space. Passing along $25 in a container fees is rarely an option. A few days ago I noticed disposable Styrofoam coolers with a lid for sale at the local grocery store. They cost $3.50 each. They stack up really well. Also, I don't have to pay expensive shipping costs to get it to me. I plan on putting our bars in one of these coolers than taping the lid shut. I will then put this cooler in a corrugated box and ship out.The quality of these coolers is not perfect, but with some added ice packs I think they just might do the job.
updated by @Daniel Herskovic: 06/18/15 09:25:22
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques
I'd like to add a little something to the hot weather shipping conversation. I'm not quite at the stage to do shipping (especially hot weather), and this thread is extremely valuable for it's tips and tricks (thanks all!).
Anyway, here's my little tip in regards to worrying about condensation and the chocolate with using any kind of cold pack. If you add a small dessicant dry-pack (they come in all sizes / a bunch are available on Amazon, just get one that is about the volume of your shipping box), and throw it in there, they do a great job of absorbing moisture, and could reduce if not eliminate any possible moisture build up from the cold pack as it warms up. Also, if you buy in bulk, the unit price is quite reasonable. I use dry packs in all my air-tight storage containers for the chocolate, and for any molded chocolate I finished setting, and they do a great job of keeping the moisture away.
Hope this helps. 
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Justin -
This is a very good idea and one I never thought of before. It's a way to give customers a reason to remember you by giving them something they can reuse. Prices are a little high for many items until you get into the thousands of pieces, but when you consider the cost (and no recyclability) of polystyrene foam inserts I think that things really balance out.
:: Clay
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Call me all the names in the world you want. I'm not the jack wagon using medical industry trash to package my customer orders, and if I did I certainly wouldn'tpublicly advertise thatI did regardless of whether it had stickers or not!
I LOVE donuts, but please don't send me any.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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i especially like the containers that shipped hearts for transplants. fits right in with our valentines gift theme.
maybe you'd like to have a heart, i'll bump you up on the priority list.
these are little coolers that were used to ship packaged meds you jack wagon.
i was kidding about the stickers.
go have a donut already.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Does anybody else findScott Moore's first Fridaypost incredibly disturbing???
My little inside voice is screaming "A guy has to be a real special kind of stupid to take styrofoam coolers used to transport biologically hazardous products to an from a medical facility - coolers that were destined for the dump FOR A REASON - package their customer's food into it and ship it to them."
Are you kidding me?
Wouldn't YOU just love to get your order of chocolates shipped in a container like this?????
WOW WOW WOW....
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques
These look really good. They may have other issues though depending on where you live. I am in Australia and Australia Post is incredibly expensive AND they weigh pretty much everything. Hence I have to watch every gram (ounce?). A 500gm (about a pound) prepaid satchel is $8:25 normal post or $9.55 "Express Post") and the next size up (no pack options in the middle) is 3Kg (about 6.6 pounds). If they catch you out there is an "administration fee" plus the extra to pay. Hence cooling gels are pretty much out of the question for smaller items.
Colin
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Another Idea for an insulated bag are these little lunch coolers... https://www.halo.com/custom-personalized-bags/personalized-lunch-bags.aspx
As a bonus you can put your logo on them for further marketing. Simple pack the cooler in peanuts and put your ice packs inside the cooler with your chocolate!!
Just another way to combine marketing with the expensive shipping cost...
Justin
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques
Did a little longevity comparison on two one pound gel packs. The one that is thicker with a smaller width and length footprint remained cooler. Less surface area for hot air to radiate inward makes a difference. It might be worth paying attention the dimensions and lean towards thicker packs with the same weight. Here is a link if it will work.
vine.co/v/bL1UrJUgaE3 < link no longer works
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Does anyone have experience with Thermo Pod? http://www.thermopod[.]net/ < now apparently out of business.
Their insulating material is reclaimed cotton fiber. It's bound by a polymer that is solid outside and perforated inside so the cotton can wick any moisture that may occur. Thicknesses from 3/4" - 1 1/2". The gentleman told me also that Koolit and Polarpak (600 series) were superior gel packs in testing they conducted. The cooling longevity for a 1 pound gel pack is nearly twice as long as 2 8 oz gel packs. Total mass of the gel and surface area for warm air to radiate heat inward makes the difference. Makes sense when you think about it. Don't have pricing as of yet and their products are not off the shelf. They are made to order with a 2 week lead time. It's supposed to be 100 here next Thursday so its time to get our coolness on. We've been using second hand foam coolers from a twitter follower who works at the Medical Center. Those insulated containers were headed for the dumpster anyways, so it's nice to get another use out of them. You just have to tape over the BIOHAZARD stickers if you don't want to disturb the client. The supply of these is no longer enough for us so its time to find another solution.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Colin:
Thanks for the link. Helpful tips many people can learn from and use.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques
Here in Sydney we have had some really hot weather of late (some really cold days with a lot of rain too - pretty weird really).
Of course I want to be able to mail chocolate out and don't want people put off buying! So with this thread in mind I wrote up what I actually DO when I mail chocolate and made it into a page on my web site.
As The Chocolate Life members in the US and Europe are now heading towards warmer weather again (yes - really - even if looking at snow doesn't bring "hot" to mind yet) some of you might be able to use this, and now is surely a good idea to get ready!
Hope this is useful to some of you!
www.captaincoffee.com.au/delivery-info/hot-weather-shipping.shtml
Colin
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques
Old newspaper print or heavy Kraft paper is an excellent and cheap way to provide extra insulation inside of the mailing carton. Freezing the product prior to putting it in the shipping carton also helps. And if there is time prior to pick-up time put the whole package into freezer. This will extend the time that the package will be below point of melting. All shipping trucks and mail cars are metal boxes just like a convection oven (frozen items take longer to cook than refrigerated or room temp).
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Clear == clarify?
When I was working with the US distributor for Cluizel, everything was kept in a cold storage facility at about 34F (1C). The packing was done in the same room the chocolate was stored in. Once the box was taped and foam peanuts were poured in, the chocolate to be shipped was wrapped in one or more plastic bags before being put into the boxes. Gel packs (if needed) were added to the box and the empty space was filled with more peanuts.
The plastic bags prevented any condensation that formed from wetting the boxes the chocolate was in.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Is styrofoam box a good option instead of insulator bubble wrap or inserting thermocols on sides / tops / bottom serves the purpose?
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Hi! Clay!
Can you please clear this
and the product being shipped was wrapped in plastic bags to protect it from condensation.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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That will be great Clay! I can wait - my email id is devika.kandhari@gmail.com. Or you could just post it here so that everyone can benefit.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Devika -
I would be happy to, except I don't ship chocolate any more and I don't have the supplies to build up a box. I should be able to do something in the next couple of weeks as I am getting a roll of insulation that I can use.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Dear Clay
Thank you for the wonderful insight, I am planning to start deliveries in India ( where the weather is mostly extreme ). Could you be kind enough to post a photo of the packaging- how it looks and where the dry ice fits. It will really be of great help. Thank you so much
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Wholesale pricing last year for the Medium Flat Rate box (11x8.5x5.5) was $3.34. The Large Flat rate box pad set was $4.66. I think their minimum qty for wholesale was 25 sets.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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I received some chocolate shipped in some of these and was very impressed with it. Can you give an idea of what the pricing is like?
updated by @Potomac Chocolate: 09/11/15 16:08:04
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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I am starting some early planning for the Summer 2012, and this writeup was a big help.
We have been using a insulated pack system from RNC Industries. They make a biodegradable two piece pad set and have many standard sizes including pads for the USPS Priority Mail Medium and Large Flat Rate boxes.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques
A 6x6x6 box might be large enough, if you were shipping something very, very small and it was well insulated. "Empty" space in a box is insulation and so it's always better to go larger than smaller when there is any question of it making it through.
As for how many gel packs it depends on how big they are. One 4- or 8-ounce pack is not nearly enough for 2-day delivery in hot weather from Atlanta to California, especially if there is no insulation in the box. Try it yourself, put a gel pack in an empty box and leave it outside when it's hot and time how long it takes to melt. A couple of hours, maybe, even for big ones.
Insulation serves two purposes: keep heat out, keep cold in. There are many forms of insulation: the insulated bubble wrap is one I happen to use and like. I also recycle polystyrene sheets from shipments I receive.
Tape up the seams of the box to keep hot air out (and cold air in).
Line the box with the insulating bubble wrap. Make sure it covers all six sides completely. Use cornstarch peanuts (or similar) to fill the empty space in the box - bottom and top as well as sides. I like the cornstarch because they will absorb some humidity.
I'd recommend at least two gel packs, taking care to make sure they weren't all on the same side of the box (i.e., one on top and one the bottom, front/back, left/right).
Make sure the packs don't actually touch the container with the chocolate in it.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques
I just had something melt going to Ca in 2 days. Never happened before but it has been really hot here in Atl and Ca. Do you use special insulated boxes or regular ones? any guidelines on how many gel packs to use, it was a small 6x6x6 box so I only used one. I will get the insulated bubble roll, never seen it before. Thanks Lydia
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Uline also carries the insulated bags. I've started getting the rolls though and making my own to fit the right size. It's much less expensive that way. You can also find mini cold gel packs. They stay cold longer than the ice and condensate much less. If you're able to spend a little extra, you can find ice packs that don't condensate at all (same ones used for pharmaceuticals). Once when I sent lots of product to a very hot place, I made a styrofoam "box" from styrofoam sheets at Home Depot. It worked really really well with the ice packs.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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HI,
i have been told of plastic bottle filled only half way with water/salt solution and then frozen.
inside the box with the chocolate insulated to prevent condensation..
Does anyone know if it works? could be an alternative to gel pack?
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques
we cant ship in styrofoam coolers or liners, the cost is prohibitive. pharmecueticals are shipped to veterinarians though, so we recycle their boxes.gel ice is readily available on fishing pier/ marine supply stores though, only $8.00 for 24 1/2 lb blocks at the dock.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Take a l ook at these nice replacements for styrofoam inserts.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Great tip!!! I personally know the owners of two pharma distribution companies, will offer to trade them for chcocolate!
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Thanks so much Clay for this super informative post on shipping. You have answered all my questions in-depth and some I didn't even know I had.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Clay asked that I repost this from his LinkedIn group. My father is a retired a doctor and he gave me this idea, save money by asking the hospitals or pharmacies for their cold packs.
Pharmaceuticals are nearly all shipped cold, makes sense. What doesn't is that I have yet to find a pharma or hospital that has a good disposal practice. These centers will get in a crate of products, packed with 8-12oz cold packs--the same ones you buy, but they just trash them when done.
I asked one specialist if he would mind keeping a box of mine in his back office and when they got in shipments to just throw the icepacks in my box. They have no problem with this and now probably have enough ice for the next two years. I supply the office with some goodies as thanks and send the Dr. a few goodies for the family and everyone is very supportive.
So if you're looking for a very cheap way to get your hands on a lot of ice, strike up a conversation with your pharmacist or a Dr. you see regularly and I'll bet you'll have a mountain of ice packs you can have access too. Not to mention it feels like we're recycling a bit further instead of just adding more to the landfill.
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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Holy smokes, this is invaluable insight!
Summer shipping tips & tricks?
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I've used these dry gel packs from Cameron and they are excellent. In fact, save for recycled gelpacks these are all I use. When used in conjunction with a well-insulated box, these will arrive still frozen at their destination, using Priority Mail as the shipping method.