Mobile canning pioneer turns full-service packaging provider with new digital printing tech and strategic partnerships
Tap Hopper, LLC, a packaging service provider rooted in the Southeast’s craft beer scene, just launched a new division: Tap Hopper Ink, a digital can printing program offering full-color, high-speed can printing with no labels or shrink sleeves required. The company also announced a strategic partnership with Craft Brew Inc., a South Carolina-based initiative working to streamline operations and support growth for breweries in the region.
Direct-to-can printing arrives in the Southeast
Tap Hopper Ink uses Hinterkopf digital printing systems to print directly onto beverage cans. The result? Durable graphics with matte, gloss, and metallic finishes — all on the same can — without flaking, chipping, or peeling. Key features of Tap Hopper Ink:
- Low minimum order quantities
- No dunnage fees
- Free storage or direct shipment
- Two pricing tiers with transparent costs
- 100% recyclable cans
Tap Hopper’s Greensboro, North Carolina, facility acts as a production and distribution hub for brewers across the Southeastern United States.
THINK ELITE program for high-volume brewers
For brewers printing over 1 million cans per year, Tap Hopper Ink offers THINK ELITE, a bulk purchasing program with significant benefits:
- $0.23 per 12-oz can / $0.26 per 16-oz can
- Discounts on ends and accessories
- No setup or storage fees
- Direct-from-manufacturer shipping
THINK ELITE is built for breweries scaling up and looking to lock in costs without sacrificing quality or service.
A strategic alliance with Craft Brew Inc.
Tap Hopper is teaming with Craft Brew Inc., a collaborative platform helping South Carolina breweries share resources and reduce costs. The partnership expands both organizations’ reach and connects Tap Hopper Ink’s printing services with brewers focused on sustainability and efficient distribution. The alliance reinforces Craft Brew Inc.’s mission: Help local breweries thrive through shared services and strategic packaging solutions.
From beer tours to canning lines
Tap Hopper started in 2016 as Tap Hopper Tours, offering brewery tours in the Triad region of North Carolina. As they built relationships with brewers, founders saw a growing need: accessible canning services for small- and mid-size operations. They launched Tap Hopper Canning to meet that demand, offering mobile canning with Twin Monkeys equipment and packaging services with no steep minimums or hidden fees. Today, Tap Hopper operates as a full-service canning and packaging partner, offering:
- Mobile canning services
- Brite cans and can ends
- Labels and shrink sleeves
- Case trays, handles, and packaging materials
- Turnkey equipment sales and installation
Tap Hopper is also an official distributor of Twin Monkeys canning lines and Roberts PolyPro Craft-Pak handles.
Shrink sleeve can program still going strong
For breweries not yet ready for printed cans, Tap Hopper also operates a shrink sleeve program out of Greensboro. Labels are printed in advance and applied on a flexible schedule. Options include: matte finishes; eco-friendly tear-away line; and 100% recyclable PET shrink labels No need to store sleeves on-site, and minimum orders remain low.
Built for craft brewers, not just contracts
Tap Hopper’s model prioritizes partnership. They offer transparent pricing, flexible services, and brewery-first policies. Their customer checklist even includes everything from required carbonation levels to power and drainage needs — so there are no surprises on canning day. Breweries across the Southeast looking for digital can printing, shrink sleeve services, or mobile canning solutions can explore Tap Hopper’s full range of offerings at taphopper.com or call 336-850-1477.
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