Bottle caps are vital to any bottling company. These caps have to keep the bottle sealed as well as be pleasing to the customer. Any company that uses bottle caps need to be well versed in the various caps they can use. Learn the options that different bottling caps types and styles can offer so you can find the caps to fit your products.

Bottling caps types and styles are separated into three groups: metal, plastic, and custom or specialty caps. Curtain caps, like caps for medications, only work with specific bottles to allow the seal to adhere to the bottle. Metal caps work well with glass bottles. Plastic caps can work with both plastic and glass containers. Specialty and custom caps are also made for specific containers.

1. View metal bottle cap options.

2. Explore the different colors and styles available with plastic bottle caps.

3. Find information about types of specialty and custom bottle caps.

Action Steps
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Locate different style of the metal bottle cap

Metal bottle caps are traditionally used for beer and other liquids that are available in glass bottles. These caps come in one basic size, but they are available in an array of colors. Metal caps do require a capping machine in order to secure the cap onto the bottle.

I recommend: Visit TheBeerEssentials.com to purchase bottle caps for glass bottles. Find bottling cap equipment and beer bottle cap wholesale lots at Seven Bridges Cooperative. Browse the list of wholesale bottle caps available for shipment at Keystone Cap Company.

View your options for plastic bottle caps

Plastic bottle caps are used for most types of bottles including some glass bottles. These caps come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors depending on the type of bottle the cap is used on. Plastic caps don't require a machine, however machines will cap the bottles faster than if you cap the bottles by hand.

I recommend: The United States Plastic Corporation sells plastic bottle caps in a variety of styles. Buy bottle caps in an array of styles at SKS Bottle & Packaging. View and compare different plastic bottle caps at Midwest Bottles.

View specialty and custom bottle caps

Specialty caps include caps such as flip top, grinder and shaker caps. Custom bottle caps are either specially designed or have your company's logo printed on them. These caps are available in a variety of colors and styles for you to choose from.

I recommend: Locate specialty and custom bottle caps at Weatherchem. Design your own cap at Crafty Caps. Eceng Technology sells molding machines so you can make your own custom bottle caps.

Buy bottling caps specific to the bottle requirements. Buy bottles and caps together, as most manufacturers sell them. Choose a trusted company known for the quality products they sell, with the fewest problem lids to speed up and secure bottling.

A custom bottle cap is also available, should you need a specialized size or design. Manufacturers can create molds to make virtually any size and style required for your product. To buy bottle caps, consider the following:

1. Select wholesale bottle caps sold in large quantities for mass production to reduce costs.

2. Invest in custom printed bottle caps for additional marketing opportunities.

3. Purchase bottling cap equipment designed to manufacture or position caps appropriately.

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Choose plastic bottle caps for most bottle requirements

The plastic bottle cap is one of the most commonly used for applications ranging from water and soda plastic bottles to chemical uses and medications.

I recommend: Use the services of Weatherchem to buy bottle cap products, including controlled dispensing caps, confectionery caps, liquid condiment caps and pet food caps. Genesis Industries offers medical syringe and medication bottle caps. United States Plastic offers a large line of cap sizes and styles including plain caps, dispensing caps and specialty caps.

Look for manufacturers to purchase bottle caps with screw applications

Many products require bottle caps to be screwed onto jars and bottles. Manufacturers specializing in wholesale bottle caps offer custom caps and standard cap sizes.

I recommend: Check out Keystone Cap for screw caps with flat top caps with or without a ring, bank slot and vented cap closures. Fillmore Container specializes in bottle screw caps, such as a beer bottle cap or water bottle cap. Autronic Plastics specializes in injection molding capabilities to product plastic water bottle caps and other custom needs.

Find the most appropriate bottle cap machine designed for your application

Choose bottling cap equipment that fits your needs, such as screw capping machines, roll on bottle capping equipment, bottle cap sorting equipment and bottle cap conveyor equipment.

I recommend: Contact Fowler Products for bottling cap equipment such as high speed cover machines, press and push on bottle capping machines and sorting/orienting equipment. Their machinery offers programmable logic controllers and touch screen interfaces for simple use. Liquid Packaging Solutions specializes in equipment for packing and provides leak detectors, separators, and custom packaging equipment for caps and bottles. Enercon Industries specializes in printing and sealing machinery used for tamper and child resistant sealing, hermetic sealing and other applications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Nearly all bottle caps and capping equipment can be customized to fit your application. Custom bottle caps are available for any marketing message from many manufacturers as well.

Bottling caps not only contain the contents in bottles, but also help keep the contents fresh and air-tight. Bottling caps vary according to their application--not all bottling caps are the same, nor are all bottling caps applied to their bottles in the same way.

Below, you will find information that will help you match the proper bottling cap to your company's needs. This will make the task of buying bottling caps all the easier.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Crown caps

Crown caps are the bottling caps that are most used for bottling beer and other carbonated beverages like specialty ginger ale and other similar drinks. The caps are designed to absorb oxygen, which can prevent the contents of the bottle from going stale.

I recommend: Northern Brewer has a selection of crown caps. The site has helpful information about crown caps.

Induction sealer

An induction sealer is used in conjunction with bottling caps. By inducting current into a metal-lined bottle cap, a seal is created. the seal is strengthened further by twisting on the cap.

I recommend: Pillar Technologies has inductions sealers as well as a various machines for applying the sealers. The site is very helpful and provides a lot of information on induction sealing.

Disc top caps

Disc top caps are another form of bottling caps. These bottling caps have threads so they can be tightly secured to a bottle. The top of the cap has a depression, that once pressed, exposes a hole through which the contents of the bottle can emerge.

I recommend: SKS Bottle has a helpful site which explains disc top caps.

Pop-Loc

The Pop-Loc bottling cap is a tamper-evident cap designed to work with beverage bottles. It has a pull rings that allow the cap to be removed easily, yet shows whether the cap's been tampered with.

I recommend: Tomark Industries has Pop-Loc caps as well as helpful information.

Tamper evident caps (Kerr Finish)

Tamper evident caps can be designed to work specific bottles, such as those with what's called a 'Kerr finish'. These tamper proof bottling caps are deigned to work with a specific bottle that has a lip at the top of its neck. These bottles can contain glass and plastic liqueur bottles, plastic flasks and syrups.

I recommend: Freund Container and Supply has tamper evident caps that are to be used with Kerr finish bottles.

Custom caps

Custom caps are a way for your company to help market your products. The design of the label can continue to the bottling cap itself, making it a collectible item. Companies can design caps for your company, or imprint caps to your specifications.

I recommend: Atlas Labels offers custom crown caps as well as good information on their sites.