Bottle Basics

Opening of the top of the jar

The maximum volume of a bottle if it was filled to the very top. This figure allows manufacturers to determine if their product will fit in a certain bottle style.

The style and size of the part of the bottle or jar that holds the cap or closure. The first number of the specification is the neck diameter in millimeters and second is the thread size. Pretium Packaging makes continuous thread (C/T) necks for twist-on caps and hinge-guard (J-Cap) necks for snap-on caps.

On continuous thread styles, the “spiral”” of plastic onto which a C/T closure is twisted. Different C/T closure styles feature different numbers of threads.

The collar of plastic beneath the neck area that caps rest against.

The normal volume (usually measured in CCs, MLs or ounces) of a bottle, published in standard sizes used by the industry. When a bottle is filled to standard capacity, the contents usually fill it up to its shoulder area.

The sloped area of a bottle or jar between the neck area and the body of the bottle.

The area of the body where a label can be applied. Some of Pretium Packaging’s bottles feature indented label panels, but most of our bottles have flush walls and label panel areas.

The thickness of the bottle, usually measured along the side walls. Pretium Packaging manufactures some heavy-wall styles of bottles that offer improved strength and stacking.

The bottom of the bottle or jar, often marked with a recycle code and indentations used during filling and labeling.

Indentations on the base of the bottle that help align bottles on filling and decorating lines so that the bottles are oriented correctly during these processes.