A
1 terms
- Airless Pump
- Vacuum dispenser system that dispenses product without air contact. Ideal for skincare products sensitive to oxidation. View related products
Glossary · 56 terms
Packaging glossary
Reference for 56 plastic and cosmetic packaging industry terms: materials, production processes, decoration, and QC.
B
2 terms
- Blow Molding
- Process of forming hollow plastic bottles by blowing air into a heated preform. Used for PET and HDPE bottle production. View related products
- Barrier Properties
- The ability of packaging material to prevent penetration of gas, moisture, and UV light. Critical for maintaining cosmetic product quality.
C
6 terms
- Cavity (Mold Cavity)
- The hollow space inside a mold where molten plastic is shaped. Multi-cavity molds have multiple spaces for faster production.
- Closure (Bottle Cap)
- Bottle sealing component including screw cap, flip-top, disc-top, pump, spray, and dropper. Must be compatible with the bottle neck finish.
- Cold Runner
- Plastic distribution system in a mold where material cools in the channel, producing sprues/runners that need trimming and recycling.
- Cycle Time
- Time required for one complete production cycle, from mold closing to finished product ejection. Shorter cycle times mean higher efficiency.
- Compatibility Testing
- Testing the compatibility between packaging material and product formula. Ensures no reaction, migration, or degradation occurs. View related products
- Crystallinity
- The degree of molecular structural order in a polymer that affects transparency, strength, and thermal properties of the plastic material.
D
3 terms
- Dispenser Pump
- Pump mechanism that dispenses measured amounts of liquid product. Available as lotion pump, spray pump, and foam pump.
- Dropper
- A drop-dispensing device consisting of a glass/plastic pipette and rubber bulb. Used for serums, essential oils, and small-dose products.
- Deformation
- Shape change in packaging due to pressure, temperature, or poor material compatibility. Must be avoided through proper design and testing.
E
1 terms
- Ejector
- Mechanism in a mold that pushes the finished product out of the cavity after the cooling process is complete.
F
2 terms
- Flash (Burr)
- Excess plastic material that escapes beyond the mold boundary at the parting line. Must be minimized through precision mold design.
- Frosting
- Process of creating an opaque/matte texture on glass or plastic bottle surfaces. Gives a premium and elegant appearance.
G
2 terms
- Gate
- The entry point of molten plastic into the mold cavity. Gate types include pin gate, edge gate, and hot tip gate.
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- Production practice standards that ensure product quality and safety. Mandatory for pharmaceutical and cosmetic packaging production. View related products
H
4 terms
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
- Plastic with high chemical resistance, suitable for shampoo bottles, lotions, and products with aggressive active ingredients. View related products
- Hot Runner
- Molten plastic distribution system in a mold that keeps material in a liquid state, reducing waste and improving production efficiency.
- Hot Stamping
- Decoration technique applying metallic foil to packaging surfaces using heat and pressure. Creates a premium gold/silver effect.
- Halal Certification
- Certification ensuring that the packaging production process complies with Islamic law, including materials and processes used. View related products
I
3 terms
- Injection Molding
- Process of forming plastic by injecting molten material into a mold to create solid components such as bottle caps, jars, and inserts. View related products
- Insert
- Plastic component inside a bottle cap functioning as a reducer, orifice, or additional seal to control product flow.
- ISO 9001
- International standard for quality management systems ensuring production process consistency. Dermapack is ISO 9001:2015 certified. View related products
L
4 terms
- Lead Time
- Total time from order confirmation to product ready for shipment. Typically 3-6 weeks for regular production at Dermapack.
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
- Flexible and soft plastic, often used for cosmetic tubes, squeeze bottles, and packaging requiring high flexibility.
- Liner
- Seal material inside a bottle cap providing an airtight seal and preventing leakage. Available in PE foam, induction seal, and pressure-sensitive types.
- Labeling
- Process of applying labels to packaging, including pressure-sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, and in-mold labeling (IML).
M
4 terms
- MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
- The minimum number of units a buyer must order. At Dermapack, MOQ starts from 10,000 pcs per design depending on material and size. View related products
- Mold (Die)
- A precision tool used to shape plastic into packaging products. Made from steel or aluminum with tight tolerances. View related products
- Metallization
- Process of coating packaging surfaces with a thin metal layer through vacuum metallizing. Creates mirror or chrome effects.
- Masterbatch
- Color or additive concentrate in pellet form mixed with resin to give plastic products specific colors or properties.
N
1 terms
- Neck Finish
- The standardized size and shape of a bottle neck that determines closure compatibility. Examples: 20/410, 24/410, 28/400.
O
1 terms
- Overcap
- An additional cap placed over the primary closure for protection and aesthetics. Often used on perfume and premium skincare packaging.
P
9 terms
- PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
- Transparent, lightweight, and shatter-resistant thermoplastic. Ideal for serum bottles, toners, and liquid cosmetic products. 100% recyclable. View related products
- PP (Polypropylene)
- Plastic with superior heat resistance and high mechanical strength. Used for bottle caps, dispensers, and components requiring hot-fill processes.
- PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
- PET variant with glass-like clarity and shine. A premium choice for high-end cosmetic packaging.
- PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled)
- Plastic material derived from recycled consumer waste. Supports sustainability and eco-friendly packaging initiatives. View related products
- Preform
- The initial form of a PET bottle resembling a small tube before being blow-molded into a bottle. Produced through injection molding.
- Parison
- Molten plastic tube used in extrusion blow molding before being shaped into a bottle by the mold.
- Parting Line
- The line where two mold halves (core and cavity) meet. Parting line quality affects the aesthetics of the final product.
- Pantone Color
- International color standard system used to ensure packaging color consistency across every production batch.
- Prototype (Sample)
- An initial packaging product sample created before mass production for evaluating design, function, and aesthetics. View related products
R
1 terms
- Resin
- Raw plastic material in pellet/granule form used as the primary material in injection or blow molding processes.
S
7 terms
- SPI Finish (Surface Finish)
- Surface texture classification standard from SPI (Society of Plastics Industry). Ranges from A1 (mirror polish) to D3 (textured).
- Shrinkage
- Dimensional contraction of plastic products as they cool after the molding process. Must be factored into mold design for dimensional accuracy.
- Screen Printing
- Packaging decoration technique by printing ink directly onto the bottle surface through a mesh screen. Suitable for logos and text. View related products
- Spray Coating
- Bottle surface coloring technique by spraying specialized paint. Produces matte, glossy, or soft-touch finishes. View related products
- Shelf Life
- Product storage duration influenced by packaging quality. Good packaging keeps products stable throughout the specified period.
- Stress Cracking
- Cracking in plastic material due to internal stress or contact with certain chemicals. Must be considered in material selection.
- Sustainability
- Packaging production approach considering environmental impact, including use of recycled materials, biodegradable options, and energy efficiency.
T
2 terms
- Tonnage
- Clamping force of an injection molding machine measured in tons. Determines the maximum product size that can be produced.
- Tooling
- The process of creating molds/dies including design, CNC machining, polishing, and trial. Initial investment for custom packaging production.
U
1 terms
- UV Coating
- Packaging surface coating hardened using UV light. Improves scratch resistance and gloss.
V
1 terms
- Volume Capacity
- Packaging fill capacity measured in ml or grams. Must match the claims on cosmetic product labels.
W
1 terms
- Wall Thickness
- The thickness of a bottle or packaging wall. Affects strength, weight, and material cost. Must be uniform for optimal quality.
FAQ about packaging terms
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What is MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) in the packaging industry?
MOQ or Minimum Order Quantity is the minimum number of units a buyer must order in a single purchase. In the plastic packaging industry, MOQ typically ranges from 5,000 to 50,000 pcs depending on the product type, material, and whether using an existing or custom mold. At Dermapack, MOQ starts from 10,000 pcs per design.
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What is the difference between Injection Molding and Blow Molding?
Injection Molding is a process of forming plastic by injecting molten material into a mold to create solid components such as bottle caps, jars, and packaging components. Blow Molding is a process of forming hollow plastic bottles by blowing air into a heated preform or parison. Injection molding is suited for solid components, while blow molding is suited for hollow containers like bottles.
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What is PET material and why is it popular for cosmetic packaging?
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is a thermoplastic that is highly popular for cosmetic packaging due to its high transparency resembling glass, lightweight nature, shatter resistance, good barrier properties against gas and moisture, and 100% recyclability. PET is widely used for serum bottles, toners, micellar water, and other liquid products.
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What does Lead Time mean in packaging production?
Lead Time is the total time required from order confirmation to when the product is finished and ready for delivery. In the plastic packaging industry, lead time generally ranges from 3-6 weeks for regular production, and 4-8 weeks if including custom mold creation. Lead time can vary depending on order quantity and product complexity.
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What is the difference between HDPE and PP as packaging materials?
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) has excellent chemical resistance and is often used for shampoo bottles, lotions, and products containing aggressive active ingredients. PP (Polypropylene) has higher heat resistance and superior mechanical strength, often used for bottle caps, dispensers, and products requiring hot-fill processes. HDPE is more flexible while PP is more rigid and heat-resistant.
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