Starting a bottling line: choosing and planning preforms
Six steps for anyone starting a water, drinks or oil bottling shop: from choosing the bottle to the first preform batch.
Six steps
Click a step to open the tool or article.
- Drink and bottleDecide what you bottle and in which size: 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 5 litres.
- Neck and capThe neck standard sets the cap and the capping head.
- Blow moulderThe bottle mould is designed for a set preform length and diameter.
- Preform weightCarbonated drinks need a thicker wall; still water works across the range.
- Monthly volumeWork out preforms, PET weight, boxes and vehicle load.
- Storage and a test runReceive the batch with the checklist and check the first bottles.
1. Drink and bottle size
The drink decides the bottle wall you need and the preform colour. Water and oil usually go in clear preforms, beer in brown ones, and 5 litre water bottles in blue or clear preforms with a 38 mm neck.
2. Neck and cap
The neck decides which cap and capping head the line needs. PCO 1881 is shorter and lighter, PCO 1810 is the classic, and 38 mm is for 5 litre bottles. Buy caps for the same neck standard as the preforms.
3. Blow moulder compatibility
A bottle mould is designed for a specific preform: its length, body diameter and weight. Check the parameters with your equipment supplier and run a small blowing trial before a large purchase.
4. Preform weight
As a guide from our catalogue: 19.2-24 g for 0.5 L, 26-35.3 g for 1 L, 39.4-40 g for 1.5 L and 64 g for 5 L. Carbonated drinks need the upper end of the range; still water works with a lighter preform too.
5. Monthly calculation
One bottle takes one preform. PET use in kilograms equals the number of preforms times the weight in grams divided by 1000. For example, 100,000 bottles of 1.5 L from a 39.4 g preform need 3,940 kg of PET. The calculator shows boxes and vehicle load.
6. Storage and the first batch
Keep boxes in a dry room out of the sun, and in winter let the batch rest in the warm shop for at least a day. After start-up check the first bottles: if there is a defect, the defect guide shows where to look for the cause.
Checklist before the first order
- Drink, bottle size and colour are chosen.
- The neck standard matches the caps and capping.
- Preform parameters are checked against the blow moulder mould.
- Monthly volume, PET weight and box count are worked out.
- There is storage space and a plan for receiving the batch.
Common questions
Which preform suits 0.5 L water?
Usually 19.2-24 g with a PCO 1881 neck. Lighter ones suit still water, heavier ones sparkling. The final choice depends on the bottle shape and the machine.
How much PET do 10,000 bottles need?
Preform weight in grams times 10 gives kilograms of PET. For a 21.7 g preform that is 217 kg.
Will your preforms fit my machine?
Send the blow moulder model and a photo of the bottle and we will suggest a suitable item.
We will help choose preforms for your start-up
Send the drink, bottle size, machine model and output plan.
