These caps are the ideal solution for special sizes or tamper evidence for your products, and not just for small batches. These caps are characterised by their flexibility and individuality.
- 6-colour printing
- Sophisticated foil embossing
- High shine to silky matt
- Tear-off strips horizontal or vertical
- open-top
Unlimited design
State-of-the-art flexo and gravure printing machines can print up to 6 colours on the side and, of course, foil embossing is also possible just as it is for our Polycap. The tear-off strips which we produce ourselves guarantee perfect function.
PET bottle capsules
The PET shrink capsule is a sustainable alternative to PVC shrink capsules. A shrink capsule made of PVC-free material with no restrictions on finishing options.
A shrink cap – also known as a Thermocap at BT-Watzke – is a plastic cap made of PVC or PET, that is heat-shrunk onto the bottle neck to form a tight, form-fitting seal:
- Material – PVC (soft, flexible, cost-effective) or PET (stiffer, more recyclable)
- Application – The cap is slipped over the bottle neck and heat-shrunk to fit the bottle’s contours precisely
- Hygienic seal – Reliable protection of the mouth area against dust and external contamination
- Tamper-evident protection – a damaged cap immediately indicates unauthorized opening
- Visual enhancement – customizable printing, available in many colors and finishes
Typical applications: wine, spirits, olive oil, vinegar, as well as for product security outside the beverage industry, such as in the industrial/technical or food/pharmaceutical sectors
PVC and PET differ in the chemical composition of their base materials as well as in their recyclability and environmental impact. The shrinkage result is more uniform with PVC shrink caps.
Recommendation: For companies with a sustainability strategy and ESG requirements, the PET cap may be the forward-looking choice. The PVC cap remains a proven, cost-effective solution for widespread use.
BT-Watzke offers an extensive selection of shrink cap sizes – for virtually every bottle and application:
- Wide range of standard colors—various diameters and lengths for all common bottle shapes
- Custom sizes – available on a project-by-project basis thanks to our in-house tooling department
- Maximum flexibility – new formats and dimensions can be introduced quickly and precisely
Our in-house tooling department is a decisive advantage for winemakers and bottlers with unique bottle shapes or exclusive custom designs.
Shrink caps serve two key functions:
- Hygiene and dust protection – reliable sealing of the mouth area or opening cap against dust, dirt, and external contamination during storage and transport
- Tamper-evident seal – a damaged or missing cap immediately indicates unauthorized opening – an important sign of trust for retailers, logistics providers, and end consumers
The application of shrink caps or shrink sleeves is simple, fast, and can be done either automatically or manually:
Procedure:
- Placement – The cap is slipped over the bottle neck
- Thermal setting – a targeted flow of hot air shrinks the cap to a form-fitting fit on the bottle contour in a fraction of a second
- Result – a wrinkle-free, precise fit
Processing methods:
- Shrink tunnel or shrink head – fully automatic, ideal for large filling volumes
- Hand shrinker/capsule shrinker – manual or semi-automatic, ideal for small quantities and small businesses
- Hot steam – simplest manual method for very small quantities
For very small quantities and custom solutions, manual shrink wrapping using hot steam is possible:
- Hot steam – the simplest manual method; the cap is shrunk onto the bottle neck using steam
- No equipment required – can be done using boiling water or a steam cleaner, for example
- Limitation – the shrink-fitting result is less uniform than with machine processing and may vary
In general, however, the use of a shrink-fitting machine is recommended.
Proper storage prevents premature shrinkage, warping, and loss of quality prior to use:
- Temperature: 10–35 °C – Avoid frost, direct sunlight, and heat sources at all costs
- Storage: dry, sealed, and dust-free – keep original packaging sealed until use
- Humidity: 30–80% relative humidity – prevent condensation
- Shelf life: 1 year from delivery date when storage conditions are met
These specifications apply exclusively to unused product – i.e., capsules in the bottle prior to use.
Yes – shrink caps are a proven and cost-effective means of ensuring product authenticity:
- Immediately visible – any tampering or unauthorized opening leaves visible damage on the cap
- Seamless seal – the cap completely and securely encloses the bottle neck or container neck and cap
- Applications beyond the beverage industry – also suitable for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and industrial products