For cannabis oil brands, dispensaries, extractors, and other vape hardware professionals, finding a proper supplier for empty vape cartridges is crucial. In this highly competitive market, establishing a solid foundation for this product category can make a huge impact on customer loyalty and business growth over time.

As vape carts become more popular among cannabis consumers, there has never been a better or more vital time to step up your business’s vape game. Beyond cost and quality, there are several considerations any cannabis business should review before settling on a vape cart supplier.

KushCo recognizes that our role as a supplier creates the foundation for the products you sell. If you’re in the market for empty vape pen cartridges, these are the main factors to consider as you search for a supplier.

Why Prioritize Vape Cartridges?

Plainly, vape cartridges are a growing part of today’s cannabis market. Perhaps your business consistently sees higher sales pertaining to flower and edibles, or maybe you’re already happy with the carts you sell. Regardless, your vape selection is important.

While flower remains king when it comes to consumer sales, recent data shows that cartridges aren’t far behind. It’s no surprise, given that vaping tends to be more discreet, comes with higher potency, and doesn’t require extra supplies (like glass, papers, a lighter, or a grinder) to partake. Consumers who vape cannabis also report better taste, effects, satisfaction, and see it as a healthier alternative to smoking.

Since empty vape cartridges are typically filled with an in-house oil or concentrate, the choice you make becomes a direct reflection of your business. And with this rising consumer demand for vape cartridges, having a top-tier selection of high-quality vapes is more important than ever to grow your customer base and keep them coming back.

Things to Look for in a Vape Cartridge Supplier

There are abundant cannabis suppliers to turn to for empty vaporizer cartridges. As you make the decision, you’ll run into broader considerations along with more focused choices regarding your specific business needs, goals, and day-to-day operations.

1. Material Quality and Safety Compliance

If you need empty vape cartridges, you’ll have to figure out which material is the best fit. There’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice, and some other considerations down the list may have a bearing on your final decision. The main options in today’s market are glass, ceramic, and stainless steel. 

All of these options are heat resistant and will not easily corrode, making them ideal for vaping. Glass and ceramic are naturally inert materials that don’t interact with the contents of the cartridge. High-quality stainless steel comes with the same benefit, so long as suppliers test them for heavy metals to avoid any issues with taste or consumer safety. 

Each material also has its own specific benefits that may impact your final decision.

Glass Cartridges

Glass remains one of the most popular materials for cannabis vape pen cartridges, available as all glass or mixed with other materials. Since glass carts are transparent, it’s easy for consumers to see how much oil they’ve used and how much they have left.

Ceramic Cartridges

Ceramic is porous and has the ability to quickly heat large surface areas. This allows consumers to vaporize more oil in a single puff, and ceramic coils help to ensure even heating. There’s also the aesthetic appeal, as ceramic carts allow businesses to embrace a custom look with specific colors and designs.

Stainless Steel Cartridges

Stainless steel has great thermal conductivity, leading to fast heating suitable for consumers eager to vape quickly. They tend to be a more cost-effective option, and their durability is an added bonus. Businesses should always confirm suppliers have tested carts for heavy metals. Any reputable supplier will be transparent in this regard, generally with verifiable certification available directly on their website.

Compliance Considerations

No matter which material you go with, compliance is key. Any solid vape cartridge supplier will ensure these materials meet quality and compliance standards. They should also have no problem supplying related documentation. 

These inspection reports confirm empty carts meet quality standards appropriate for their intended use and ensure they are safe, effective, and that advertised materials are accurate. Suppliers should also test empty carts for failure rate and share findings with partners.

2. Compatibility with Existing Hardware

Choosing the right cartridge format is crucial. 

These include snap-in, magnetic, and press-fit connections. The 510 screw-on connection continues to be the most widely used and is often referred to as the “universally compatible” standard. The bulk of vaporizer batteries are made explicitly for 510 thread cartridges, and most vaporizer brands exclusively use this format or have at least one product line that does. 

Refer back to the extraction hardware and current products you offer for guidance. One deciding factor here is your cannabis oil viscosity, and choosing the proper hardware can help to prevent performance issues like clogging or poor vaporization.

When looking at other formats beyond 510 threading, keep in mind that many vaping consumers opt for that format because it’s the only compatible option for their battery. Unless you already have a large base equipped with a compatible battery for another cartridge format, convincing customers to spring for a specialized battery (that they may use solely for your dispensary’s products) can create an additional sales hurdle.

3. Scalability and Bulk Order Support

Suppliers have their own rules when it comes to order size that you should consider before taking the plunge. 

You’ll want to look at the MOQ, or minimum order quantity, and whether it properly fits with your business needs. Cannabis businesses must regularly adapt to market shifts and adopt new business strategies. Your supplier should help you navigate these shifts, rather than hindering them with strict ordering guidelines. The best suppliers are flexible, accommodating anything from small-batch testing to larger-scale production runs.

Even though suppliers have MOQs to consider, don’t be afraid to share your business needs and negotiate lower quantities. Worthwhile suppliers should see the value in flexibility, especially if it could lead to a long-term partnership.

Supply chain issues have plagued the industry in recent years, and mitigating them may unfortunately be your responsibility to some degree. It’s helpful to have your own safety stock as a buffer, and inventory forecasting is a crucial tool to ensure you have the stock you need in those peak-sale periods. 

Still, your supplier should be there to help. Be sure your supplier is reliable, providing consistent inventory and timely shipments especially when you need them most. Choose suppliers with a strong industry standing, and use previous and current customer feedback to inform your decision.

4. Supplier Expertise and Partnership

With the growth of the cannabis industry, there are an abundance of suppliers to choose from today. There are also plenty you shouldn’t partner with, and you’ll need to weed out the good from the bad. 

Compliance and regulatory literacy are key factors to determine which of the bunch are truly reputable suppliers. They should be transparent about everything they sell, with easily accessible quality assurance data and applicable compliance certifications. Suppliers should also manufacture their products with any state-specific compliance measures in mind. From the design to the packaging, empty vaporizer cartridges should already be tailor-made with compliance at the forefront.

Checking reviews, industry directories, reviewing terms and conditions, and requesting references are all ways to gain intel before a potential partnership. However, one of the best ways to affirm a supplier is reputable is by engaging with them directly to see how they work with cannabis businesses. You’ll learn more about their business ethos and have opportunities to ask questions specifically addressing any concerns. These conversations are also a good reflection of the service you’ll receive should you move forward.

At KushCo, our reps offer proactive inventory reminders and market insights. Prioritize those suppliers who have a genuine investment in your business’s success and show it through the services they offer partners. 

5. Cost-Effectiveness Without Compromise

Cost is obviously an imperative variable when choosing a supplier, though it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Businesses should examine cost alongside all other considerations here, and suspiciously low-cost cartridges are likely lower quality and may come with problems that will affect your business long term.

Many suppliers offer bulk discounts, which can significantly reduce your costs over time. You should always pay close attention to the pricing structure, MOQ, and how compatible a supplier’s pricing stipulations are for your inventory and business needs.

Consider comparing your top supplier choices to confirm you are indeed getting a competitive rate. Pricing should always be transparent, but reputable suppliers should have no issue answering any lingering cost-related questions you might have.

6. Sustainability and Eco-Conscious Design

The cannabis industry, among many others, has its share of sustainability concerns — from cultivation resources to product packaging.

While some businesses are less concerned about taking on an eco-friendly approach, showing customers your commitment to sustainability is one way to stand out in this increasingly crowded market. It’s also a responsible choice, and many suppliers make it easy.

For one, empty cartridge materials like glass and stainless steel are recyclable and more eco-friendly than alternatives. Many suppliers have extended this approach to packaging for businesses after more sustainable options, including biodegradable or compostable materials.

While you can show your commitment to vape lovers who want to be cognizant of their environmental impact, choosing sustainable products provides an opportunity to educate all customers in making more informed decisions. This not only builds good will and provides needed transparency consumers appreciate, but it’s an accessible choice helping the industry work toward a greener future.

Partnering with KushCo as Your Vape Cart Supplier

There’s a reason we share all of this with confidence. Our partners turn to KushCo for wholesale vape cartridges knowing our commitment to these standards through our approach, expertise, and inventory selection. We pay careful attention to the unique needs of each business, working directly with our partners to provide both exceptional products and service.

If you’re looking for a supplier for your empty vape pen cartridges, we have your back. KushCo recognizes just how passionate our partners are about their brands and products. As such, it’s our mission to equip cannabis businesses with the tools they need to thrive, especially while navigating the ongoing pressures and shifts that come with this industry.

Take a look at our cartridge selection! If you’re ready to learn more, contact us for a quote by calling 888-920-5674, emailing service@kushsupplyco.com, or filling out our contact form. The cannabis world can be challenging, so let’s move forward and grow together!