Choosing the right beverage can size is more than just convenience—it’s a strategic move. A beverage can’s size impacts branding, consumer appeal, and even logistics.In this article, we’ll explore the most common beverage can sizes, their uses, and how the right choice can enhance your product’s market performance.
Common Beverage Can Sizes
Mini Cans (7.5 oz and 8.4 oz)
Mini cans are typically used for low-volume sodas, kids' drinks, and sugar-free beverages. These smaller sizes are perfect for consumers who want a quick, light refreshment without overindulging. Their compact nature makes them ideal for vending machines, convenience stores, and airlines, where portability is key.
Advantages of mini cans:
| Portability and convenience for on-the-go consumption |
Calorie-conscious appeal due to smaller serving sizes |
Space-efficient, fitting well into vending and retail settings |
Popular Use Cases:
Standard 12 oz Can
The 12 oz can is the default beverage can size, widely used across North America for sodas, beers, teas, and sparkling waters. This size offers a balance between portion control and practicality, making it a staple in most retail outlets.
Advantages of 12 oz cans:
Universally recognized and trusted by consumers |
Flexible labeling space for branding |
Compatible with most canning lines, making it cost-effective for manufacturers |
Popular Use Cases:
Slim/Sleek 12 oz Can
Slim or sleek 12 oz cans are taller and narrower than standard cans. These cans are designed to cater to modern, health-conscious consumers, particularly for beverages like hard seltzers, kombucha, and organic ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee. Their sleek appearance makes them stand out on shelves, often conveying a sense of lightness and sophistication.
Advantages of slim cans:
| Unique shape that enhances brand visibility on crowded shelves |
Appeals to health-focused or premium beverage markets |
Lighter and more refined appearance |
Popular Use Cases:
Larger Can Sizes and Their Purposes
Tallboy (16 oz)
Tallboy cans, holding 16 oz, are popular in craft beer circles, particularly for IPAs and iced coffee drinks. This size provides more volume while still maintaining the convenience of a single-serving package. Tallboys are especially effective in increasing brand visibility thanks to their larger surface area for creative label design.
Advantages of tallboys:
| Offers more volume without overwhelming the consumer |
Perfect for outdoor events and casual gatherings |
Larger labeling space for branding |
Popular Use Cases:
Stovepipe (19.2 oz)
The 19.2 oz "stovepipe" can has been gaining popularity in convenience stores, particularly for single-serve occasions such as sports games and concerts. It bridges the gap between the 16 oz and 24 oz cans, offering just enough volume for a satisfying drink without being too large.
Advantages of stovepipes:
Ideal portion size for single-serve consumption |
Convenient for events, sports, and on-the-go lifestyles |
Great for retailers targeting high-turnover markets |
Popular Use Cases:
Oil Can (24 oz)
The 24 oz can, sometimes referred to as the "oil can," is a common size for budget beers and bulk drinks. It’s ideal for consumers looking for value and larger quantities. This size is typically found in supermarkets and warehouse-style retail outlets, where it appeals to bulk shoppers.
Advantages of oil cans:
| Large volume for better value per unit |
Popular in cost-sensitive retail environments |
Satisfies demand for bulk purchases in high-turnover stores |
Popular Use Cases:
Specialty Can Sizes
Crowler (32 oz)
The crowler is a relatively new addition to the can family, specifically designed for fresh draft beer and limited releases. It combines the volume of a growler with the convenience of aluminum, offering a sealed, portable option for craft beer lovers. Crowlers are often used by small-batch breweries for on-site packaging and takeout.
Advantages of crowlers:
| Perfect for small-batch and specialty products |
Provides portability and preservation for fresh beer |
Ideal for taprooms and craft breweries |
Popular Use Cases:
Growler (64 oz)
Typically used in taprooms and breweries, the 64 oz growler is ideal for group drinking and special occasions. While traditionally made of glass, aluminum growlers are becoming more common due to their lighter weight and ease of transportation. This size is often marketed as a premium, experience-driven product.
Advantages of growlers:
Large volume, perfect for sharing |
Ideal for group settings or special events |
Aluminum options offer better portability than glass |
Popular Use Cases:
![Beverage Can]( "Beverage Can")
Beverage Can Sizes by Category
Soft Drinks
The 12 oz can remains the go-to size for soft drinks, due to its wide acceptance and compatibility with most canning lines. Mini cans are becoming increasingly popular in the soft drink category, particularly for calorie-conscious consumers. Larger sizes, such as 16 oz, are ideal for retail environments that cater to bulk shoppers.
Preferred Sizes:
Standard 12 oz for mainstream consumption
Mini cans (7.5-8.4 oz) for low-calorie and kids’ beverages
Larger cans (16 oz and up) for bulk and value purchases in retail
Energy Drinks
Energy drinks typically use 8.4 oz or 12 oz slim cans, capitalizing on the compact, portable nature of these containers. The slim shape enhances the visual appeal and reinforces the energetic, on-the-go lifestyle associated with these products.
Preferred Sizes:
Craft Beers
Craft breweries predominantly use 12 oz and 16 oz cans, as these sizes balance branding space with volume. Larger cans, such as 19.2 oz and 24 oz, are typically reserved for premium or limited-edition beers, offering consumers more volume in a single package.
Preferred Sizes:
12 oz and 16 oz for mainstream craft beers
Larger sizes (19.2 oz, 24 oz) for premium or seasonal offerings
Strategic Importance of Can Size in Branding and Marketing
Brand Positioning Through Size
The size of a beverage can directly impacts its brand perception. Smaller cans (7.5 oz and 8.4 oz) often communicate premium, health-conscious, or functional products, while larger cans (16 oz and above) convey value, indulgence, or group consumption. Understanding how can size affects consumer perception can help align the product with the intended brand image.
Visibility and Shelf Strategy
Can size plays a significant role in a product's visibility on store shelves. Slim cans and tallboys are more likely to stand out in a crowded retail environment due to their unique shapes. Larger cans are also eye-catching but serve a different purpose—primarily aimed at bulk and value-focused consumers.
Sustainability and Logistics
The size of a beverage can also affects shipping and storage costs. Smaller cans (7.5 oz - 12 oz) are more space-efficient and reduce freight costs, while larger cans (24 oz and above) may incur higher shipping and storage fees. However, they can drive higher volume sales, making them suitable for high-turnover retail environments.
Best Practices for Selecting the Right Beverage Can Size
Target Market Considerations
When selecting a can size, it’s crucial to match the size to your target market’s preferences. Conducting trials with different can sizes can help determine which size resonates most with consumers and fits best within the overall brand strategy.
Production and Cost Efficiency
Balancing manufacturing costs with the benefits of larger or custom-sized cans is essential. Standard sizes like 12 oz often offer cost efficiency due to their widespread use in the industry, while custom or oversized cans may increase production costs but offer a unique selling proposition.
Conclusion
Choosing the right beverage can size is crucial for branding, logistics, and consumer appeal. From mini cans to tallboys, each size serves a unique market purpose. By understanding how can size impacts your brand, you can make informed decisions that contribute to your success.
Think strategically about your beverage can size. It's about packaging, but also about creating a lasting brand impression and meeting consumer needs. For businesses like Jinzhou, their products, such as custom cans, offer value through flexibility, design, and tailored packaging solutions.
FAQ
Q: What is a beverage can size?
A: A beverage can size refers to the volume and dimensions of a can used for packaging drinks. Popular sizes include 7.5 oz, 12 oz, and 16 oz, with each serving a specific market need.
Q: How does beverage can size impact branding?
A: The right beverage can size influences consumer perception and brand visibility. Smaller cans often suggest premium products, while larger cans cater to value-driven markets.
Q: Why choose a slim beverage can?
A: Slim cans stand out on shelves and appeal to modern, health-conscious consumers. They are popular for beverages like hard seltzers and kombucha.
Q: What is the advantage of a 12 oz beverage can?
A: The 12 oz can is versatile, widely used in North America, and provides ample space for branding. It’s ideal for sodas, beers, and sparkling waters.
