October 24, 2024

Types of Capsule Packaging

5 Minute Read

Quick Summary: The right packaging is crucial for the convenience, safety, sellability, and regulatory compliance of capsule products, offering protection against damage, moisture, and contaminants while preserving ingredient efficacy. Popular packaging options include blister packs, bottles, sachets, and strip packaging, each offering unique benefits such as individual dosing, tamper resistance, UV protection, and ease of use. Packaging decisions are influenced by factors like regulatory compliance, portability, capsule size, product sensitivity, shelf life, and cost-effectiveness. ELIS Manufacturing & Packaging Solutions specializes in custom capsule packaging solutions, offering services like bottle and sachet filling, printing, and packaging design to enhance product protection and brand appeal.

The right packaging makes a significant difference in the convenience, sellability, safety, and regulatory compliance of products. Capsules, in particular, must be packaged to prevent tampering, preserve ingredient efficacy, and provide protection during transportation and storage.

Here, we’ll take a closer look at why it’s important to find the best primary packaging option for capsulized products. We’ll also review four common options and the factors to consider when making your packaging selection.

Overview of Capsule Packaging

Capsules are effective for herbal supplements, vitamins, oils, and more. As a result, there are several types of packaging manufacturers commonly used to hold individual capsules, single doses, or a large quantity of loose capsules.

The primary goal of capsule packaging is to protect the capsules from damage, moisture, and contaminants during transport and storage. Depending on the ingredients, it may be necessary to protect them from heat, oxidation, or UV light exposure.

Packaging for capsules can also be designed to simplify dosing, making it convenient for consumers to carry supplements with them and open packages easily. Other options incorporate childproof or tamper-resistant features. Additionally, most packaging provides space for directions or ingredient lists, messaging or branding, expiration dates, lot numbers, and other critical information.

Types of Capsule Packaging

Some of the most popular types of primary packaging for capsules are blister packs for individual doses, small or large bottles, small sachets, and strip packaging.

Blister Packaging

Blister packaging securely stores individual doses of capsules — usually only one or two capsules per “blister” with multiple blisters on a sheet. Manufacturers may divide blister packs with perforations to allow consumers to remove single doses without exposing the capsule. Single doses are placed into custom cavities embossed on a sheet of plastic, then a backing sheet of foil or plastic seals them inside. Sheets can hold different numbers of doses, depending on how the product is typically used and how large the secondary packaging is. Another layer of paper or plastic may be added for labeling or additional tamper resistance.

Advantages of blister packaging include:

Ease of delivering individual doses
Protection from air and moisture
Tamper-evident seal
Less material use than bottles
Ability to observe if/when doses are dispensed

Bottle Packaging

Bottles are a traditional choice for capsules. Manufacturers can produce them in glass or plastic with different degrees of opacity to block UV light and heat. They come in a range of volumes to hold small to very large quantities. Bottles often include a piece of cotton to protect contents during shipping and storage, and have a foil or paper seal or lidding film under the cap. Several options for screw, snap, childproof, or tamper-proof lids are available.

Sachet Packaging

Sachets are small rectangular or square pouches that hold a single dose of a product. Because users tear them open to access the contents, they are single-use packaging. Sachets are usually made from plastic or foil material that’s simple to open. Because of their size, sachets can be labeled with ingredient information, directions, or branding. Sachets may be packaged for individual sale or sold in a carton or pouch with multiple units.

They offer advantages such as:

Convenience for travel or on-the-go doses
Premeasured servings
Keeping any remaining doses sealed and protected
Material that’s easy to tear open

Strip Packaging

Strip packaging is a method of individually heat-sealing capsules or single doses of capsules between two flexible strips of foil or thin plastic to create a series of pockets. The packaged capsules stay connected on the strip, which is cut at intervals for secondary packaging. This method is similar to blister packaging; however, the strip material may be softer or more flexible than blister packing material.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Packaging for Capsules

Regulations may apply to packaging for some capsulized products. Compliance concerns and the needs of consumers have the largest impact on packaging decisions. Depending on the type of capsule product, there may be more than one suitable option for packaging. Consider these factors when deciding on the best packaging method:

Compliance with regulations and requirements (i.e., FDA and others)
Needs for portability and convenience
Dimensions of the capsules
Number of capsules per dose
Product sensitivity to moisture, light, oxidation, etc.
Typical shelf life or amount of time for which product is retained
Cost-effectiveness of packaging options

ELIS Manufacturing & Packaging Solutions has expertise in capsule packaging and works with customers to assess product needs and determine the best option for each product.

Partner With ELIS for Superior Capsule Packaging Solutions

ELIS is a leading provider of contract packaging solutions for capsule products and more. Our capabilities include bottle and sachet filling, bottle printing, flexible pouch packaging, and sample-size packaging. Our team also provides design and display services to help your brand’s packaging stand out on the shelves while providing optimal product protection.