Doob Tubes are small, airtight containers with one pre-rolled joint or cone in them. Because the name “Doob Tubes” is more commonly used and recognized than “pre-roll containers,” the product is now commonly found on dispensary counters everywhere. The main reason for their existence is because pre-rolls are very fragile and give off a strong smell that lingers in a pocket. Because of this, a good Doob Tube will protect the contents from getting crushed, lock in the strong odor, and keep the contents fresh until you are ready to smoke it.
Types of doob tubes
Classic tubes are made of plastic pop-top type containers that open by a squeeze of the hand and shut tight. There are also glass tubes capped with cork or screw. I like the feeling of the high-end glass and they can be used time and time again. For keeping many pre-rolls together like a set, there are joint cases, which hold them in rows separated by padding. Tubes come in many sizes, corresponding to the standard ‘cones’ and one should check how many of the cones they roll or sell will fit in any given tube. For example a king-size ‘cone’ does not fit in a tube made for 98mm pre-rolls for example.
Why businesses brand them
On the consumer side, a tube is packaging. It is the difference between a useable joint and pocketing debris. On the business side, tubes are packaging and marketing. A dispensary selling singles in a branded tube sends the packaging home with the consumer where it will get re-used for months showing off the logo of the brand it was packaged in. Events use empty tubes as favors that get left behind to continue to advertise long after the printed flyer has been thrown away. The tubes get re-used, and thus create one of the best cost per impression ratios of any branded item.
Customization options
Customization options include printed logos, custom colors, and full wraps. Pop-top tubes take a one or two color print, while glass versions look best with a simple engraved or printed mark. Minimums are low compared with most packaging, which makes branded tubes a realistic first custom product for a small brand. Matching your tubes and lighters to the same brand palette is a cheap way to make a counter display look intentional.
How to choose a good tube
- The internal length of the chosen tubes must correspond to the length of the cones.
- The closure must be airtight, i.e. it must be closed properly and not just pushed in slightly.
- The plastic of the chosen tubes must be sufficiently thick and robust to withstand being carried around in a back pocket.
As mentioned above, if your state or country requires child-resistant packaging for sale, check if the pop-top is certified, not all pop-tops are. For personal use, any decent quality tube will do, for resale however the certification of the tube and the accompanying paperwork is just as important.
Buying in bulk
Single cannabis tubes are typically available at retail dispensaries for single purchase but buying in larger quantities such as in bulk directly from supplier is significantly cheaper. Suppliers quote in cents per tube by volume, and custom printing has little additional cost at the 1,000 unit quantity. For building a cannabis pre-roll brand, it is best to buy the cannabis rolling tubes and rolling tips together to have proper color and sizing across your product line.
See custom pre-roll doob tubes and the J-Shield joint case, or zoom out with the full pre-roll packaging guide.
