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The Different Types of Plastic Caps and Closures

Chris Irby • March 25, 2022

What are all our caps & closures for?

Plascene offers a wide and diverse selection of plastic caps and closures. With so many options, simply choosing the appropriate cap for your product can be a bit overwhelming. Here's a quick rundown on the different types of caps and closures that will help you make a more informed decision.

Screw Cap

Handle caps are basically screw caps with a built-in handle that folds down for storage purposes. Handle caps are used primarily on larger jars and canisters and they allow the product to be carried more easily.

Flip-Top Cap

The snap-to cap is very similar to the flip-top cap. However, the hinge on the attached lid is specially designed to snap open or closed, making it less likely that the container will be left open accidentally. This can be particularly useful for products that lose freshness when exposed to air.

Tamper Resistant/Guarantee Cap

The grinder is a functional closure commonly used on small jars and bottles of salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices. Each grinder cap contains a mechanism that, when twisted, will grind coarse materials into finer, smaller pieces.

The screw cap is arguably the most common type of cap/closure there is. Used primarily on jars and bottles, the interior of the cap has threads (either continuous or lugs) that are matched to similar threads on the mouth of the container. When the cap is "screwed" to the right, the threads hold the cap in place and form a seal. When turned to the left, the threads force the cap to separate from the container.

Handle Cap

A flip-top cap is a screw cap with added functionality. It includes an additional hinged lid that can be flipped open to reveal a spout, nozzle, or series of holes. This allows the consumer to easily access the contents of the container without having to fully remove the cap.

Snap-To Cap

A tamper resistant cap is a screw cap with a breakaway "guarantee" ring attached to the bottom. When the cap is removed from the container for the first time, the ring separates from it. This provides clear evidence that the container has been opened and can be handy for deterring tampering or pilferage before the product ends up in the hands of the consumer.

Grinder Closure

Options for Plastic Caps and Closures

Once you've settled on the right cap for your product, you may still have a decision or two to make. Many of our caps and closures come with the following options:

Short Skirt or Deep Skirt? The "skirt" of the cap refers to the sides that holds the threads and (in the case of tamper resistant caps) connects to the guarantee ring. Short skirt caps are fine in most cases, but if you're looking for the added security of deeper threads and a tighter seal, you may want to consider the deep skirt cap.

Smooth Cap or Ribbed Cap? A smooth cap offers a surface that is sleek and featureless. A ribbed cap is textured along the skirt to make it easier to grip. If your cap has an alternate means of opening/closing (e.g. flip-top caps or snap-to caps) then this is purely an aesthetic choice. However, if consumers will be required to physically remove the cap in order to use your product, then a ribbed cap is probably the right way to go.

Customizing Plastic Caps and Closures from Plascene

At Plascene, our caps and closures have a quality finish that ensures the safety and integrity of your product. Our caps come in a variety of sizes and colors so you can choose a custom color to complement your branding or go with several distinct colors to reflect the different flavors/varieties of your product. For more information on our cap and closure options, check out the Plastic Caps + Closures catalog on our website.

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