7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid in Pre-Roll Manufacturing
Welcome to the Hefestus Pre-Roll Playbook — A series of articles on how to get the most out of your pre-roll manufacturing capabilities and strategies.
Pre-rolls may seem like a simple product – until you attempt to manufacture them at scale.
A lot can go wrong here, potentially throwing your business model into a tailspin if you’re not careful.
Understanding the underlying issues that compromise pre-roll quality can provide crucial insights for improving production processes and ultimately consumer satisfaction.
Here are 7 key mistakes to avoid in developing your pre-roll manufacturing capabilities.
We’re going to run through these fast, so pay attention!
PRODUCTION FLAWS
#1) Rushed Processes
Many pre-roll teams have felt the stress of looming production deadlines, always struggling to keep up with orders.
It’s a headache that nobody wants.
If demand is high enough, operators can remedy this issue by aligning with a credible pre-roll automation partner.
#2) Inadequate Training
You might be shocked to discover how many companies tend to cut corners on training.
Workers who aren’t properly trained in the nuances of rolling and packing can inadvertently produce substandard products and slow down the entire manufacturing line.
Just to give you an idea, when an operator buys pre-roll automation from Hefestus, Hefestus will train the team on-site during installation for up to five days.
#3) Scaling Issues
Scaling your manufacturing capabilities is exciting, although it comes with its own set of challenges and surprises.
For example, maintaining consistency can become more challenging without standardized procedures and rigorous quality checks.
As operations scale up, you will need to make a series of new choices for a fully integrated strategy.
LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL
#4) Inconsistent Raw Materials
Creating predictability with your cannabis products ties back to our Pre-Roll Playbook entry “Why Guesswork Doesn’t Belong in Pre-Rolls.”
Cannabis consumers combine their weed with all sorts of experiences. Sometimes they need it to relax or to work.
If your product proves to be a wildcard, it’s likely due to a lack of quality control at a specific point or a series of points upstream.
Work with your cultivation supplier to identify and address any issues.
#5) Poor Storage Conditions
We’re getting into Captain Obvious territory now.
Poorly stored cannabis will completely alter the end experience. Excess exposure to light, air, and temperature can affect both the potency and flavor of your pre-roll.
As your scale your operation, always account for storage at every step of your process.
#6) Skipping Steps
The pressure from over-regulation puts many cannabis operators in a difficult spot, where the temptation to cut corners is very real.
Skipping critical steps like proper curing, grinding, and lab-testing can drastically affect smokability and overall quality.
#7) Choosing the Wrong Automation Partner
Seems like a no-brainer, right?
Although you might be surprised at how many cannabis operators have invested in a pre-roll machine they don’t even use because they can’t get it to run.
Take the time to align with an automation partner that has a proven track record and that will have your back 24/7.
DO YOU WANT TO GROW OR NOT?
This list of common manufacturing issues is much more than operational efficiency or fixing a single product line.
This is about your brand’s overall reliability, reputation, and trust.
By tackling these foundational issues, producers can significantly improve product quality, leading to better customer experiences and stronger loyalty.
Implementing a ‘quality first’ approach in every step of the production and distribution process can create a significant competitive advantage.
But you have to strategically integrate that with external choices, such as regular audits and feedback loops with end-users to continuously refine your processes.
If you’re ready to talk pre-roll automation, connect with the Hefestus team today.
