Should I use a bottle or a pouch for my product?
Compare bottles and pouches by product protection, filling, closure, labelling, transport, end-of-life evidence and the tests needed before changing format.
Buyer answer centre
Packaging questions answered
Use direct, evidence-led answers to shortlist packaging, prepare a line or sample trial, diagnose common faults and build a quote-ready specification.
How to use this section
Start with the decision or fault that is blocking the project.
Each page gives the direct answer first, then explains the variables, trade-offs, evidence and next step. The guides do not replace an item-specific specification or competent product, safety and compliance review. They help a buyer ask the right questions and provide Lancing with a complete enquiry.
- Select the pack format and process together.
- Include closures, labels, fitments and secondary film in the complete-pack review.
- Use representative product and production samples.
- Record acceptance criteria before testing.
- Confirm current evidence, MOQ, stock and lead time for the exact quoted item.
Format and process selection
Choose packaging from product, filling and handling requirements.
How do I specify packaging for an automated filling line?
Specify bottles, pouches, closures, labels and film for automated handling using controlled dimensions, tolerances, samples, line trials and approved pack data.
What packaging is suitable for viscous liquids, creams and gels?
Choose bottles, pouches and dispensing closures for viscous liquids, creams and gels by flow behaviour, clean filling, dispensing, compatibility and trials.
How should packaging be selected for hot fill, warm fill or cold fill?
Select and test packaging for hot, warm or cold filling by temperature profile, cooling, vacuum, closure, liner, label, pouch seal and filled-pack behaviour.
Troubleshooting
Identify the packaging variable behind a repeat defect.
Why do bottle caps leak, loosen or cross-thread?
Diagnose bottle-cap leaks, loosening and cross-threading through neck-finish matching, torque, liners, sealing lands, product contamination and controlled trials.
Why do product labels lift, bubble, wrinkle or move?
Diagnose label lift, bubbles, wrinkles and movement through surface condition, container geometry, adhesive, label stiffness, roll setup and timed trials.
Why do pouch seals fail, leak or form channels?
Diagnose pouch seal failures through contamination control, sealant and web structure, sealing window, fitments, cooling and defined integrity tests.
What packaging faults cause filling-line stoppages?
Identify packaging-related filling-line stoppages caused by container, closure, label, pouch and film variation, then control data, samples and trials.
Compliance and distribution
Qualify the exact pack for its intended use and route.
How do I qualify packaging for food contact in the UK?
Qualify food-contact packaging by exact item, food type, contact time and temperature, supplier evidence, migration or use conditions and controlled approval records.
How should packaging be tested for ecommerce and parcel distribution?
Test bottles, pouches, caps, labels and secondary film for parcel distribution using representative filled packs, failure modes, conditions and retest triggers.
Evidence library
Continue with the technical guides that control claims and approval.
UK EPR and recyclability assessment
Assess the finished pack under the methodology and reporting period that applies.
Plastic Packaging Tax evidence
Control recycled-content records by product line without confusing the tax position with recyclability.
Packaging barrier properties
Translate oxygen, moisture, light, aroma and chemical-protection needs into tests and supplier data.
Packaging compatibility test plan
Define samples, conditions, acceptance criteria, inspection intervals and approval responsibility.