PET bottle preforms are used to make a large variety of the containers you see day-to-day. From drinks to essential oils, you probably have quite a few of these bottles in your home. According to PETRA, over 1.5 billion pounds of PET containers are collected each year for recycling in the United States. If you're interested in ordering from PET preform suppliers, here are a few factors you should consider.

The Use for the Bottle

The first thing to decide is the purpose of the container. PET preforms can be used for a variety of uses and industries. Some common uses include:

• Beverages and food
• Cosmetics
• Automotive products
• Household chemicals
• Pharmaceutical applications

If the bottles are being used in any of these industries, designing and making your containers will be a breeze. The manufacturer will have years of experience and can even recommend specific bottle types and features that are ideal for your product.

The Color of the Material

The color of the PET bottle preform is probably the most distinctive feature from a distance, so take this into account when you begin thinking about your design. The most popular option is actually the colorless one! Clear bottles are used for a variety of purposes like water bottles and juice containers. Some colors are associated with specific industries. Brown bottles are commonly found in pharmaceutical products since they evoke the image of an old apothecary and filter out light. If your company has a strong brand identity, you should use those colors for your containers. You can even distinguish different flavors or products with different colors.

The Shape of the Container

The shape of the bottle says a lot about the contents as well. If the container is meant to be held, it should be ergonomic and easy to grip. The bottle should also be shaped in a way that any necessary labels can fit on the bottle.

The Opening of the Bottle

Most preform containers use a lid. Think about the application and decide whether you need a wide opening or a narrow one and if there is going to be a threaded, screw-on cap.

Do you have more questions about working with PET preform manufacturers? Reach out to the team at Preform Solutions, Inc, to speak to our experts. We would love to answer your questions and start you on your plastic preform journey!