Wholesale Plastic Bottles – 3 Things You Need to Know
You’re starting or running your own business that requires lots and lots of plastic bottles. But, like many, you’ve searched around online and were left with more questions than answers. Which bottles do I need? Does the type of plastic material matter? What kind of caps do I need? In this article, I’ll address a few things you need to know about wholesale plastic, bottles before pulling out your credit card!
1) Material Matters
The two most common types of materials or resins used in plastic bottles today are PET and HDPE. There are many more types of resins, but for liquids these are the most suitable. 
PET, PETE or Polyethylene Terephthalate is a naturally clear, shatter proof and recyclable plastic. This plastic is extremely durable despite its lightweight properties. PET is also BPA free and won’t give that plastic aftertaste that you might get from other plastics. PET is the best choice for providing a product where taste and presentation are of utmost importance. The max temperature we recommend for PET is 180°, if using these bottles for juice they should be used with room and cold fill temperature juices only. There are designs and additives to PET resin that can make PET usable for hot fill, but these options are more costly. See our previous blog for more info on PET.
HDPE or High Density Polyethylene is the most widely used resin for plastic bottles, probably because it’s generally less expensive material.
This material is both impact and chemical resistant and does well as a barrier for moisture. Unlike PET, this material is a foggy color often described as either “natural” or “translucent” (i.e. milk jugs).Both PET and HDPE are cold-fill bottles. Exposing the materials to heat above 140° may cause product distortion. Both materials work well with silk screening or any common labeling service. Both PET and HDPE are commonly recycled in America.Make sure you request samples of each material in the size bottle you need so that you can test your product in them, as well as see how they display on the shelf.
2) Cap Fit Matters!
You can find the shape you love and then buy a cap only to
find out that even though they’re both 38mm, the cap does not provide a very good seal on the bottle or it’s hard to apply. Be sure and look for bottles and caps that have been designed to go together. Just like all wheels don’t work on all cars, neither do all caps work on all bottles. There are many variables in both bottles and caps that can make a big difference in how they work together. Be sure to ask if the cap and bottle were designed to go together. Make sure you receive samples before you order to make sure you like the fit and function and look of the cap on the bottle. There is nothing worse than finding out at the last minute that the caps don’t actually work right on your bottle.
3) Tamper Evidence is Essential
The truth is, people want a product they know is safe, so they look for packaging that will clearly show if tampering has occurred. With regard to bottles, there are three main ways to ensure that your products are tamper evident.
- Tamper Evident Caps
These caps can be torqued down in house or can be sent to a contracted company for filling as well as capping. For those of you who would torque them down in house, make sure the cap is twisted down evenly and completely. - Heat Induction Seal Caps
We’ve all tried to squeeze out a brand new bottle of mustard forgetting to take off the aluminum seal. That’s a heat induction seal in action on a mustard bottle. This process can be conducted by a contracted service provider, or machines can be purchased for smaller or larger in house operations. The cap needed for this process is a cap that contains a heat induction seal aluminum foil liner. After the cap is applied, the container passes under an induction coil (sealing head), which emits an oscillating electromagnetic field that causes the cap liner to be sealed to the bottle. Neither the container nor its contents are affected, and this all happens in a matter of seconds. - Shrink Bands
Shrink bands can be purchased to fit virtually any size bottle. They’re commonly used to seal spice and sauce jars, water bottles, and pharmaceuticals. You can choose between non-perforated or perforated for easy removal and even have custom shrink bands. Once you’ve picked the right size and type of shrink band, you’ll need to either apply them yourself and shrink them with a heat gun, buy machinery that applies and shrinks the band, or go to a sub-contractor who can accomplish this application for a fee.
When it comes to tamper evidence, earning and keeping your customers trust translates directly into product sales. Any effort to earn the trust of your customer is worth it!
Onward!
It all depends on knowing your needs, discovering what’s available, and testing the best options. From there, you can decide which bottle and cap combo works best for your business!If you’re interested in buying plastic bottles with tamper evident caps, CupBarn has you covered. Click here to shop plastic juice bottles and bottle caps.
