High transparency, glossy finish, aesthetic appeal. Weak chemical resistance, often requires an inner liner for protection.
High-end cosmetics packaging (e.g., creams).
PET
Good chemical stability, transparency, and mechanical strength. Relatively affordable.
Widely used for serum bottles, toner bottles.
PCTG & PETG
Excellent transparency, toughness, and chemical resistance. Good processing performance.
Complex shape containers like lotion bottles.
AS
High transparency and hardness.
Small perfume bottles and other items requiring clear, sturdy bottles.
(2) Molding Processes Explained
Molding Type
Material
Key Features
Injection Molding
PP, PETG, Acrylic, ABS
High precision, complex parts, such as bottle caps, nozzles, and seals. Requires careful handling for materials like acrylic to avoid cracking.
Blow Molding
PET
Efficient production of various shapes and sizes. The base often has a protruding point, common in serum and lotion bottles.
Injection Blow Molding
PP, PE
A combination of injection and blow molding. Suitable for cost-effective, moderate-quality bottles like cleaning product containers.
2. Surface Treatment and Printing Techniques for Plastic Bottles
(1) Surface Treatment Methods
Method
Description
Injection Color & Transparency
Achieved by adding colorants to the plastic or leaving it transparent to highlight the product inside. Essential for products emphasizing purity or natural qualities.
Spray Coating & Special Processes
Acrylic bottles often undergo spray coating for unique light-reflecting effects. Other treatments include vacuum plating, anodizing, and embossing for caps and pumps.
(2) Printing Techniques
Method
Features
Silkscreen Printing
Common for high-precision designs like logos. Ideal for creating intricate patterns on vintage-style bottles.
Pad Printing
Ideal for printing on irregular surfaces, such as the sides or caps of small bottles.
Hot Stamping (Gold/Silver)
Adds metallic text or patterns to the bottle, creating a high-end, luxurious look. Popular in cosmetics and fragrance packaging.
Heat Transfer & Water Transfer
These techniques create intricate designs like wood or leather textures for differentiated branding.
3. Plastic Bottle Classification and Accessories
(1) Bottle Classification
Category
Details
By Material
Acrylic, PET, PCTG, PETG, AS, each with unique physical and chemical properties for different applications.
By Shape
Round, square, oval, and more. Shape impacts the brand’s image and the bottle’s functionality. For example, round shapes for cosmetics, square for simplicity.
Single-layer, double-layer, and vacuum bottles. Double-layer and vacuum bottles are used for products requiring stability and freshness, like skincare serums.
By Process
Injection molded bottles, blow molded bottles, injection-blow molded bottles, each with different production methods and costs.
Caps, pumps, sprayers, all designed to fit various neck sizes.
Cap and Closure Components
Plastic bottles typically come with various types of caps, each suitable for different uses:
PP (Polypropylene): Most common for bottle caps.
PS (Polystyrene) and ABS: Used for high-strength caps.
Acrylic: Used for high-end packaging components.
These components include closures such as flip caps, screw caps, and dispensers, each designed for different use cases to ensure optimal sealing, ease of use, and hygiene.
4. Key Considerations for Plastic Bottle Procurement
(1) Minimum Order Quantity and Color Selection
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): Typically ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 units, with flexibility in color selection within this range. Common colors include transparent, frosted, and custom hues using pearlescent powders.
Impact of Color on Costs: Special colors or effects may incur additional costs due to the need for specific dyes or colorants. It’s essential to align the desired color with the product’s image and cost constraints.
(2) Production Cycle and Fees
Production Cycle: Generally takes about 15 days. The cycle may vary based on the complexity of the design and printing process. For example, cylindrical bottles with single-color prints may take less time, while customized shapes and multi-color prints take longer.
Mold Costs: Blow molding molds range from 2000-4000 CNY, while injection molds are generally more expensive, costing 8000-20,000 CNY. Mold materials impact the price and lifespan. Stainless steel molds are more durable but cost more than alloy molds.
Printing Process Costs: For silk-screen printing, the unit cost is usually 0.08–0.1 CNY per print. There may also be a charge for setup, such as printing plates or fixtures.
(3) Printing and Decoration Techniques
Ink Choices: Options include standard inks and UV inks. UV inks provide superior gloss and 3D effects but require testing and color confirmation before production.
Foil Stamping: Best for hard materials with smooth surfaces to achieve vibrant metallic effects.
Filming Requirements for Printing: Different processes require different types of films (e.g., negatives for silkscreen, positives for foil stamping). Additionally, the clarity and size of the text or design should be optimized to ensure high-quality prints.
