When it comes to selecting packaging, most people place the focus on primary components. Will a one-gallon jug do the trick, or perhaps something more precise like a half-gallon jug? It may be a mashup between materials. Should you choose something durable like a steel drum, or consider a lightweight HDPE alternative? Though these are important questions, we often downplay the value of smaller features like liners and closures in packaging systems.
Think of closures and liners as the crowning details of your solution. From threaded caps to flip tops, heat seal and pressure sensitive (PS) liners to foam liners, these differences all contribute to the safety, compliance, usability, and even brand identity of your product.
Closures in Packaging: The First Line of Defense
Of course, the purpose of a cap or liner seems obvious — to close and seal product inside a container. But as packaging experts, we know a closure is more than a final checkmark from a long list of packaging to-dos. In fact, these features often serve as the critical missing piece to safeguarding your perfect comprehensive packaging system.
Juanita Hayes has served as an inside sales representative at Pipeline Packaging for more than a decade. When it comes to closures in packaging, she’s seen firsthand how Pipeline’s Good People at the Core assist customers in finding the most compatible closures.
“Closures and liners are really the first line of defense for a customer,” said Hayes. “First and foremost, they prevent leakage. A well-suited closure will keep product safely stored in any environment — from the delivery truck to store shelves to a consumer’s cabinet — without seepage.”
Closures in packaging bring even more benefits though. She highlighted other ways they serve as a defense mechanism.
“They also preserve the freshness of products,” said Hayes. “A tight closure and liner will prevent air, moisture, and even contaminants from degrading stored goods. Similarly, they can also come equipped with tamper-evident features, so users know if a package has already been opened.”
She also noted that compliance plays a role in determining compatible closures in packaging systems.
“The FDA, EPA, and DOT are some of the agencies that supply compliance standards for closures in packaging,” said Hayes. “These regulations are meant to protect others from exposure and cross-contamination. From child-resistant caps on pharmaceuticals to vented closures on battery acid containers, we help customers comply with the standards of their industries.”
The Big, Wide World of Closures and Liners
Those involved in the packaging process know there are limitless options when it comes to selecting a closure and liner combination. Often, multiple closures will work in a packaging system, but some may provide better protection, depending on the industry. Pipeline Packaging’s team of experts can walk you through your closure and liner options and offer recommendations based on your needs.
Three-ply foam caps are applicable in a range of situations, making them some of the most common closures in packaging. Though not an airtight seal, these lined caps resist odor and lower moisture transmission. Compatible with metal, plastic, and glass, they’re often part of household products, foods and beverages, liquors, and pharmaceuticals.
Plastisol caps, as another example, are among the leading selections for closures in packaging. These metal caps include a plastisol liner that creates an airtight seal. Once a container is first opened, the liner will “pop” as a tampering signal. The tight seal prohibits leaks and air breaches, making for an extended shelf life. These attributes make plastisol caps ideal in the food and beverage industry.
Other common closures in packaging include polyester and pulpboard foil, polyethylene foam, poly vinyl caps, polyseal, and Teflon PTFE caps.
Though many of these caps include a built-in liner, Pipeline Packaging can also source standalone bottle liners. Pressure-sensitive foam liners stick to the container rim even when the closure is removed. This specific liner is well-suited for preserving nonperishable liquids, dry products, and powders. Heat-seal liners, on the other hand, form an airtight seal using an induction-sealing machine for complete leak protection.
Intentional Partnerships, Intentional Packaging
While some packaging pairings are more standard, there are instances that require custom combinations for closures in packaging systems. As a leading packaging distributor, Pipeline Packaging leverages a vast network of more than 400 global suppliers and packaging expertise to create tailor-made systems that meet the specifications of each individual customer.
Hayes demonstrated the power of a comprehensive packaging provider as she shared some important considerations when choosing closures.
“No matter the product, the most important factor is compatibility,” she said. “If there’s any negative side effects, like bloating, paneling, evaporation, or even leakage, the closure should be reevaluated.”
To highlight the necessity of compatible closures in packaging, Hayes shared a recent example of how Pipeline navigated compatible closures in packaging systems to help a customer achieve packaging goals without sacrificing quality or compliance.
“Typically, a glass jar is paired with a metal cap,” she said. “However, I recently worked with a customer who was looking to switch to a plastic cap. After finding a closure and pairing it with a heat-seal liner, we discovered the new packaging system wasn’t achieving the airtight seal the customer needed.”
Despite the setback, Hayes and the Pipeline Packaging team were determined to solve the problem.
“We reached out to the supplier, who confirmed the closure should be compatible with the glass jar,” she said. “We then evaluated other aspects of the system as the potential root of the problem. Ultimately, we determined it was the shelf life of the heat-seal liner that was causing the problem.”
Once discovered, Pipeline was able to update the closures in the packaging system to fulfill the customer’s request.
Yet, stories like the one shared by Hayes exemplify Pipeline’s dedication to customer success. By taking an intentional approach to partnership, we can help you build equally intentional packaging systems.
“Customer hesitation is one of our biggest challenges when it comes to packaging recommendations,” said Hayes. “Our job, then, is to do the research, provide information, and answer any questions so customers feel confident about their packaging selections.”
When testing new closures in packaging, Pipeline evaluates and recommends products using expertise from our internal engineering staff. We reduce uncertainty offering these unique, professional perspectives without the real-world pressure test of leaks, spills, and regulatory fines.
“Whether we’re starting a new project or adjusting closures in packaging, it’s our job to make customers feel more certain,” said Hayes. “Not only do we send spec sheets to the packaging engineering team, but we also send customers samples of the packaging system so they can see and feel it before committing to a larger order.”
With Pipeline, no packaging stone is left unturned. Our Good People at the Core collaborate with you at every step to deliver high-quality, high-performing solutions, from behind-the-scenes engineering to our own label design services.
“Finding anything — like closures in packaging systems — is important to me, because it’s important to my customers,” said Hayes. “We are committed to their complete satisfaction. When I head home for the night, I always look forward to knowing our team has helped take care of another thing on their plate.”
Don’t let concerns over compatibility and compliance deter you from trying new packaging closures. Let Pipeline Packaging lead you to the perfect, crowning feature with our thorough evaluation process and devoted team. Contact us today to start the next chapter in your packaging journey.
