A $25-per-hour operator hand-closing pre-rolls for four hours a day costs you $2,200 a month. Two operators cost $4,400.
It doesn’t feel like waste because it shows up as payroll. But when one manual step slows your line, adds rework, and pushes you into overtime, you’re not just paying for labor you’re paying for instability.
Pre-roll production rarely breaks all at once. It slips. Headcount creeps up. Weekend shifts become normal.
The real question isn’t “What does the machine cost?” It’s this: What is your cost per finished pre-roll, and how much is schedule control worth to you?
In this article, we will answer these questions and more. By the time you have finished, you will know which option is the best choice to keep your cannabis business scaling properly.
Stop shopping by sticker price and start shopping by cost per finished pre-roll
Pre-roll production fails slowly, then all at once. Your crew adds headcount, then overtime becomes normal.
STM built RollCraft because teams got stuck in the middle. Hand work is labor-heavy, and enterprise automation often feels oversized.
Cost per finished pre-roll sits on four numbers:
- Labor minutes per 1,000 units
- Rework and reject percentage
- Changeover time between SKUs
- Missed batch deadlines that force weekend shifts
Do you want to buy a machine, or do you want to buy back schedule control? The second one is the real goal.
Affordable pre-roll automation is modular on purpose
RollCraft uses STM patented mechanical principles and is built for craft-scale and lighter workloads. It gives growing teams access to automation without forcing a full enterprise system.
RollCraft MRB fills and packs at a craft-scale price
The RollCraft MRB lists at $3,500 and packs 72 or 143 pre-rolls in about 90 seconds. It uses a 44 ft-lb centrifugal filling system and supports 72 and 143 trays.
The MRB spec sheet lists speeds up to 1,250 pre-rolls per hour and up to 10,000 pre-rolls per day. It lists a 6-month parts and labor warranty.
One operator can run the workstation and keep QC tight.
The MRB also removes pre-weighing on the front end, so your weigh room stops touching every cone. The MRB spec sheet lists 1 to 2 minutes average pack time per tray, which helps you plan tray swaps and changeovers.
RollCraft ATC closes Dutch crowns without hand-twisting
Hand closing creates fatigue and finish variability.
It also drags your line into rework when crowns look uneven at retail.
The RollCraft ATC lists at $24,995 and closes 72 pre-rolls per cycle in under 90 seconds.
It ships with Dutch crown tooling for 70 mm, 84 mm, 98 mm, and 109 mm sizes and uses analog controls.
The ATC spec sheet lists up to 10,000 pre-rolls per day with a 2-motor drive and buyer-supplied air compressor. It lists a 6-month parts and labor warranty.
The MRB and ATC bundle connect the workflow
The MRB and ATC bundle lists at $29,995 for filling, packing, and closing in one setup. If your bottleneck is both ends of the pre-roll, this bundle stabilizes the shift.
RollCraft was built for operators without dedicated automation engineers, so fast setup and short training stay at the center of the design.
Enterprise machines earn their keep when volume demands control
STM has helped large producers scale into tens and hundreds of thousands of pre-rolls per day on enterprise-grade machinery.
Atomic Closer lists at $59,995 with a 28-second closing cycle and max daily output listed up to 34,000 pre-rolls. It adds an 8-motor drive, a touchscreen with advanced controls, and data logging with remote access. It lists a 1-year parts and labor warranty.
If you run two shifts, data helps you lock recipes and defend decisions during audits.
A decision checklist you can use in your next production meeting
Affordable automation fits when:
- One shift carries the program
- Labor hours per 1,000 units keep climbing
- You want compact units on existing benches
- You want fast training and repeatable operation
Enterprise machines fit when:
- Two shifts run year-round
- Daily targets leave no room for downtime
- You need data logging and remote access
- You need custom settings across many SKUs
Quick spec comparison for SEO and answer engines
| System | Step covered | Listed cycle time | Listed max daily output | Controls and data | List price |
| RollCraft MRB | Fill and pack | 72 or 143 in about 90 seconds | Up to 10,000 | Basic controls, no listed data features | $3,500 |
| RollCraft ATC | Dutch crown closing | 72 in under 90 seconds | Up to 10,000 | Analog buttons, no data logging | $24,995 |
| Atomic Closer | High-throughput closing | 28 seconds | Up to 34,000 | Touchscreen, logging, remote access | $59,995 |
ROI math that turns this into a yes or no
Now, if you’re thinking, seriously, you are going to make me do math? Do not worry! If crunching numbers the old-fashioned way is not your thing, try our free pre-roll machine ROI calculator instead!
Example scenario:
- Current hand closing: 2 operators, 4 hours per day, 22 days per month
- Fully loaded labor rate: $25 per hour
- Monthly labor on closing: 2 x 4 x 22 x 25 = $4,400
Now compare to an automated closing station:
- One operator runs the ATC and performs QC: 1.5 hours per day
- Monthly labor on closing and QC: 1 x 1.5 x 22 x 25 = $825
- Monthly labor freed: $4,400 minus $825 = $3,575
At that savings rate, a $24,995 ATC pays back in about 7 months on labor alone.
Run the same worksheet on filling and packing. Example: MRB replaces two people hand-packing for 2 hours per day. At $25 per hour and 22 days, that is $2,200 per month. A $3,500 MRB clears payback in about 1.6 months on labor alone.
Hand work introduces weight drift, loose or tight packs, inconsistent finishes, and higher reject rates. Mechanical repeatability reduces that exposure.
Interested in learning more about affordable pre roll automation?
With the information in this article, you should have most of what you need to figure out which option is best for you. But, if you still have more questions, or if this article didn’t answer all of yours, we can help!
Please reach out to one of pre roll automation specialists today. They will be able to guide you to the option that makes the most sense for your budget, space, and needs.