Capsule filling kit — the DIY route for anyone who wants to put their own powdered herbs, supplements or botanicals into swallowable caps, with zero fillers and zero mystery ingredients. This small category covers the two things you need: a manual capsule machine to do the work, and empty shells (gelatine or vegetarian) to fill. Shop the full kit at Azarius, Amsterdam's original smartshop since 1999.
Buy a Capsule Filling Kit — What You Actually Need
A capsule filling kit is a two-part setup: a manual filling tray that holds empty shells upright, and the empty shells themselves. You buy them separately because the machine is reusable for years, but you'll burn through shells depending on how much you dose. If you've ever tried to swallow a spoonful of bitter herb powder, you already know why people order this stuff — kratom, ashwagandha, lion's mane, cacao, whatever you're working with, capsules skip the taste entirely.
Global demand for empty capsule shells is projected to pass 1.2 trillion units a year by 2027, and a growing slice of that is home fillers rather than industrial pharma. The reason is simple: pre-made supplement capsules often contain magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, rice flour bulkers and other excipients you didn't ask for. Rolling your own is the cleanest way to get exactly what's on the label — because you wrote the label.
Capsule Machine vs Pre-Made Supplements — Why People Switch
People switch because they want control. A commercial 500mg kratom capsule might actually contain 350mg of powder and 150mg of bulking agents. When you fill your own, the whole shell is product. You also save money — buying a single powder in bulk and encapsulating it yourself works out far cheaper per dose than buying the same thing pre-capped, often 40–60% less over a year of regular use.
The trade-off is time. Not much time — a manual tray gets a batch done in the couple of minutes it takes the kettle to boil — but it's a small ritual you need to be willing to do. If you dose daily, batching a week or two at once is the way. If you're only dosing occasionally, honestly, a small pre-made bottle might make more sense.
Gelatine vs Vegetarian Shells — How to Choose
Gelatine shells are the traditional option: beef-derived, halal and kosher certified, and they tend to be a touch easier to close cleanly on a manual machine. Vegetarian shells are HPMC (plant cellulose), suitable for vegans, vegetarians and anyone avoiding animal products. Both hold powder equally well and dissolve in the stomach in similar time. If you're filling something hygroscopic (powders that pull in moisture, like some mushroom extracts), HPMC copes slightly better with humidity — it doesn't go brittle the way gelatine can if stored badly.
Start here: if you've never filled capsules before, order the Capsule Machine in size 0 and a bag of shells to match. Size 0 is the universal middle ground — big enough to hold a proper herbal dose, small enough that you can actually swallow it. Size 00 is for serious dosers; size 1 is for anyone who struggles with larger pills.
The three products in this category
- Capsule Machine — the manual tray that holds 24 shells open while you tamp powder in. Comes in three sizes to match your shells.
- Gelatine Capsules — empty beef-gelatine shells, halal and kosher, additive-free.
- Vegetarian Capsules — empty HPMC shells, plant-based, no gelatine or preservatives.
How to Choose Your Capsule Filling Kit
Match the machine size to the shell size — a size 0 machine only fits size 0 shells, same for 00 and 1. Buy them as a matching pair. For a first kit, go with size 0 in whichever shell type fits your diet. Once you've filled a few batches and know your preferred dose, you can size up to 00 for fewer caps per dose, or down to 1 if swallowing is a chore. The machine itself lasts years — you'll only be reordering shells.
Filling kratom or herbal powders? Browse our kratom powder range and dried herbs section to pair with your kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both a capsule machine and empty capsules?
Yes — they're sold separately but you need both. The machine is the tray that holds shells upright; the shells are the actual capsules you fill. Order matching sizes (size 0 machine with size 0 shells, etc.).
How long does a manual capsule machine take to fill a batch?
Around two minutes for 24 capsules once you've done it a couple of times. The first batch takes longer while you get the hang of tamping. Most home fillers batch a week or two of doses at once to save time.
Are vegetarian capsules better than gelatine?
Neither is better — they do the same job. Vegetarian (HPMC) shells suit vegans and cope slightly better with humid storage. Gelatine shells are a touch easier to close cleanly and are halal and kosher certified. Pick based on diet.
Which capsule size should I buy first?
Size 0 is the standard middle option and what we'd recommend for a first kit. It holds a useful dose without being hard to swallow. Go size 00 if you want fewer caps per dose, size 1 if you find larger pills difficult.
Can I reuse the capsule machine?
Yes — the machine is designed for years of use. Wipe it clean between different powders to avoid cross-contamination. You'll only need to reorder the empty shells as you use them up.
Last updated: April 2026