Most buyers know glitter is light—but few realize how bulky it is once poured into jars or bags. That gap leads to the wrong container size, messy repacks, and avoidable freight costs. This guide gives you the liters-per-kilogram numbers by cut size, jar/bag recommendations, and simple carton math you can reuse for any PO.
Glitter True Density vs Bulk Density
- True density is the material itself (e.g., PET ≈ 1.3–1.4 g/cm³).
- Bulk density is how a pile of flakes behaves in a container. Air gaps between flakes matter—and larger, stiffer cuts trap more air, so bulk density drops as cut size increases.
- Coatings/finishes (metallic, holo, iridescent) and surface roughness can change how flakes stack. Static also affects “fluffiness,” especially for ultra-fine cuts.
Think of sugar vs cornflakes: same kitchen, totally different “space per kg.”
Glitter Liters per Kilogram by Cut Size
The table below uses practical bulk-density ranges for polyester glitter. Use central values to plan; keep the range in mind for safety stock and headspace.
| Cut size (approx.) | Typical bulk density (kg/L) | 1 kg ≈ liters (central) | Range you might see (L/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-fine (0.004″ / 0.1 mm) | 0.50–0.60 | 1.8 L (at 0.55) | 1.7–2.0 |
| Fine (0.008″ / 0.2 mm) | 0.40–0.50 | 2.2 L (at 0.45) | 2.0–2.5 |
| Medium (0.015″ / 0.38 mm) | 0.30–0.40 | 2.9 L (at 0.35) | 2.5–3.3 |
| Chunky (0.040″ / 1.0 mm) | 0.25–0.30 | 3.6 L (at 0.28) | 3.3–4.0 |
| Extra chunky (0.094″ / 2.5 mm) | 0.18–0.25 | 4.5 L (at 0.22) | 4.0–5.6 |
Headspace rule: add 10–15% extra container volume to allow for filling, air release, and label space.
Glitter Jar, Bag, and Shaker Choices Packaging
Use the liters-per-kilogram values above, then add headspace. Here are practical picks for common retail/wholesale packs:
Suggested container volumes (with ~12% headspace)
| Net pack | Ultra-fine | Fine | Medium | Chunky | Extra chunky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 g | 125–140 mL | 250–280 mL | 330–380 mL | 420–500 mL | 500–650 mL |
| 250 g | 300–340 mL | 600–700 mL | 800–950 mL | 1.0–1.3 L | 1.3–1.6 L |
| 500 g | 0.7–0.8 L | 1.3–1.5 L | 1.7–2.1 L | 2.3–2.7 L | 2.8–3.3 L |
| 1 kg | 1.9–2.2 L | 2.5–2.8 L | 3.2–3.7 L | 3.8–4.5 L | 4.5–6.3 L |
Packaging tips
- Ultra-fine / fine: lined jars or anti-static pouches; heat-seal + tamper label to stop dusting.
- Chunky / extra chunky: wider-mouth jars or gusseted bags prevent bridging.
- Use desiccants for humid lanes; separate strong dyes from light pastels to avoid transfer.
Glitter From Liters to Cartons
Two carton sizes many buyers use:
- Carton A: 40 × 30 × 30 cm → 36 L internal volume (approx.)
- Carton B: 45 × 35 × 35 cm → 55 L internal volume (approx.)
How many 1 kg packs fit per carton?
(Using recommended container volumes from the table above)
| 1 kg pack type | Jar / bag volume | Carton A (36 L) | Carton B (55 L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-fine | ~2.0 L | 18 | 27 |
| Fine | ~2.6 L | 13–14 | 21 |
| Medium | ~3.4 L | 10–11 | 16 |
| Chunky | ~4.2 L | 8 | 13 |
| Extra chunky | ~5.5 L | 6 | 10 |
Reality check: you’ll lose some space to jar shoulders, dividers, and void fill. Expect ~85–90% packing efficiency.
Dimensional weight awareness (keep it simple)
- Air DW (kg) = L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6000
- Carton A DW = 40×30×30/6000 = 6.0 kg
- Carton B DW = 45×35×35/6000 ≈ 9.2 kg
- Sea LCL charges by cbm (Carton A = 0.036 cbm; Carton B = 0.055 cbm).
This article stays mode-agnostic—use these numbers to compare options on your lane.
Glitter Worked Examples
Example 1 — 1 kg Fine in Jars
- Container per kg: ~2.6 L (incl. headspace).
- Carton A capacity: 36 L ÷ 2.6 ≈ 13 jars per carton.
- Air DW per carton: 6.0 kg (use greater of DW vs actual).
- If each jar = 1.1 kg gross, actual per carton ≈ 14.3 kg. Chargeable is the greater of 14.3 vs 6.0 → 14.3 kg.
Example 2 — 1 kg Chunky in Jars
- Container per kg: ~4.2 L.
- Carton A capacity: 36 L ÷ 4.2 ≈ 8 jars.
- Air DW remains 6.0 kg; actual ≈ 8.8–9.6 kg (depends on jar). Chargeable → likely actual again, but with fewer kg per carton, so more cartons for the same net weight. That’s why chunky needs careful space planning.
Example 3 — 500 g Medium in Gusseted Bags
- Container per 500 g: ~1.8–2.1 L.
- Carton B (55 L): 55 ÷ 1.95 ≈ 28–30 bags.
- Air DW for Carton B is 9.2 kg; actual depends on net + packaging. If 0.55–0.6 kg gross/bag, actual ≈ 15.4–18.0 kg → chargeable likely actual.
Measure Your Own Bulk Glitter Density in 5 Minutes
- Take a rigid 1.000 L container (graduated beaker or food-grade jar).
- Pour glitter gently to the 1.0 L mark. Do not compress.
- Weigh the container, subtract tare. Record net kg → that’s kg/L.
- Repeat 3 times and average for that cut + finish + shade.
- Save values in a sheet. Use them to drive jar size, packs/carton, and quotes.
Want a template? Ask us—we’ll share a simple sheet with built-in liter/kg and carton calculators.
Glitter Package Common Pitfalls
- Using true density for jar sizing.
Fix: always use bulk density (kg/L) measured by the 1-L method above. - No headspace.
Fix: add 10–15% to avoid mess and under-fills. - Bridging in chunky cuts.
Fix: wider-mouth jars or gusseted bags; short fill spouts. - Static + dusting on ultra-fine.
Fix: anti-static liners/bags; heat-seal; handle in low-humidity rooms. - Ignoring dimensional weight.
Fix: calculate DW from the outer carton and compare to actual.
PDYA Glitter Packing Cheatsheet
- Retail:
- 100 g: fine 250–280 mL jar; chunky 420–500 mL wide-mouth.
- 250 g: fine 600–700 mL; chunky 1.0–1.3 L.
- Wholesale:
- 500 g: fine 1.3–1.5 L; chunky 2.3–2.7 L.
- 1 kg: fine 2.5–2.8 L; chunky 3.8–4.5 L (extra chunky up to 6 L).
- Labels: material, shade, lot, net weight, intended use (cosmetic/craft).
- Quality: anti-static options for fine cuts; desiccants for humid seasons; double-wall export cartons for LCL.
Send us your cut size + target pack size. We’ll return a space plan (liters, container pick, packs/carton, and a quick DW/CBM note).
