Choosing packaging can feel overwhelming. Glass or plastic? Dropper or pump? Wide-mouth jar or narrow-neck bottle? Stock packaging or a custom solution?

The good news is that you do not need to start from scratch. With the right filters and a clear understanding of your product requirements, you can quickly narrow thousands of packaging options down to the best fit for your application.

At TricorBraun, our packaging catalog and product search tools are designed to help businesses compare options based on the specifications that matter most, including material, style, capacity, closure compatibility, availability, sustainability attributes, and more.

Start with Your Product Requirements

Before selecting a container, it helps to define what your product needs from its packaging.

• What type of product are you packaging?
• Will the product be sold online, in retail stores, or both?
• Does the product require protection from light, moisture, oxygen, or contamination?
• What filling equipment or production process will be used?
• Does the package need to support dispensing, measuring, pouring, or resealing?
• Are there regulatory, safety, or tamper-evident requirements?
• What customer experience do you want to create?

Answering these questions will help you identify which packaging specifications to prioritize during your search. A package that looks great still needs to protect the product, work with your production process, and meet the expectations of your customers.

Compare Packaging by Material

Material is one of the first decisions to make when comparing packaging options. Each material offers different benefits depending on your product, market, budget, and brand goals.

Glass

Glass is often selected for its premium appearance, strong product protection, and recyclability. It is commonly used in cosmetics, fragrance, pharmaceuticals, spirits, gourmet foods, and other applications where shelf appeal and product integrity are important.

Glass packaging may be a good fit when you need:

• A high-end look and feel
• Strong barrier protection
• Excellent product compatibility
• Recyclable packaging
• A heavier, more substantial package experience

PET Plastic

PET plastic is lightweight, durable, shatter-resistant, and known for excellent clarity. It is popular for personal care, food, beverage, health and wellness, and household products.

PET packaging may be a good fit when you need:

• Clear product visibility
• Lightweight shipping
• Durability and impact resistance
• A glass-like appearance with less breakage risk
• Versatility across many product categories

HDPE Plastic

HDPE plastic is valued for its strength, durability, chemical resistance, and cost effectiveness. It is frequently used for industrial, household, automotive, personal care, and large-volume packaging applications.

HDPE packaging may be a good fit when you need:

• Strong chemical resistance
• A durable container for demanding products
• Cost-effective packaging for higher volumes
• Opaque or natural-color packaging
• Reliable performance in industrial or household settings

Aluminum

Aluminum packaging offers a unique combination of durability, lightweight performance, and strong barrier protection. It is commonly used for beverages, personal care products, aerosols, and specialty applications where product protection and sustainability are key considerations.

Aluminum packaging may be a good fit when you need:

• Excellent protection from light, oxygen, and moisture
• A lightweight material that reduces shipping costs
• A durable, dent-resistant container
• A modern, premium appearance
• Highly recyclable packaging with strong sustainability benefits

Aluminum can also support a wide range of finishes and decoration options, making it a versatile choice for brands looking to stand out on the shelf while maintaining performance.

By comparing materials side by side, you can better evaluate the balance of performance, appearance, sustainability, and budget that works best for your product.

Filter by Container Type

The shape and style of your package play a major role in functionality, branding, storage, shipping, and consumer use.

Common container styles include:

• Bottles
• Jars
• Vials
• Tubes
• Pails
• Tubs
• Drums
• Aluminum cans
• Caps and closures
• Accessories
• Flexible packaging
• Complete packaging solutions
• Containers with specialty dispensing features

Filtering by container type helps eliminate options that do not fit your product, filling process, or customer experience.

For example, a wide-mouth jar may work well for creams, powders, or food products that need easy access. A narrow-neck bottle may be better suited for liquids that are poured or dispensed. A tube may support controlled application, while a pail or drum may be better for bulk or industrial use.

Match the Right Neck Finish and Closure

One of the most important packaging decisions is making sure the container and closure are compatible. Even if a container looks right, it still needs to work with the proper cap, pump, sprayer, dropper, or dispensing system.

When comparing options, consider:

• Neck finish size
• Thread style
• Closure compatibility
• Liner requirements
• Tamper-evident needs
• Child-resistant requirements
• Dispensing functionality
• Product viscosity
• End-user convenience

Closure styles may include:

• Screw caps
• Flip-top caps
• Disc-top caps
• Trigger sprayers
• Fine mist sprayers
• Pumps
• Droppers
• Plugs
• Liners
• Tamper-evident closures
• Child-resistant closures

Selecting compatible components early can help reduce sourcing challenges, avoid delays, and improve the overall performance of your package. Browse our full selection of caps and closures.

Match the Right Neck Finish and Closure

One of the most important packaging decisions is making sure the container and closure are compatible. Even if a container looks right, it still needs to work with the proper cap, pump, sprayer, dropper, or dispensing system.

When comparing options, consider:

• Neck finish size
• Thread style
• Closure compatibility
• Liner requirements
• Tamper-evident needs
• Child-resistant requirements
• Dispensing functionality
• Product viscosity
• End-user convenience

Closure styles may include:

• Screw caps
• Flip-top caps
• Disc-top caps
• Trigger sprayers
• Fine mist sprayers
• Pumps
• Droppers
• Plugs
• Liners
• Tamper-evident closures
• Child-resistant closures

Selecting compatible components early can help reduce sourcing challenges, avoid delays, and improve the overall performance of your package. Browse our full selection of caps and closures.

Use Filters to Move from Search to Shortlist

Once you understand your product requirements, catalog filters can help you quickly move from a broad search to a focused shortlist.

Depending on the product category, you may be able to filter by specifications such as:

• Material
• Style
• Capacity
• Color
• Shape
• Neck finish
• Closure type
• Availability
• Sold-by quantity
• Sustainability attributes
• Application type

These filters make it easier to compare products that meet your most important criteria. Instead of reviewing every available option, you can focus on packaging that is better aligned with your product, production process, and business goals.

Consider Sustainability Goals

Many companies are evaluating packaging through a sustainability lens. The right solution depends on your product requirements, supply chain, customer expectations, and environmental goals.

Sustainable packaging considerations may include:

• Post-consumer recycled content
• Recyclable materials
• Lightweight packaging designs
• Refillable or reusable systems
• Bio-based or alternative materials
• Paper-based or fiber-based options
• Right-sized packaging to reduce excess material
• Packaging that supports retailer or regulatory requirements

Sustainability should be evaluated alongside performance. A package still needs to protect the product, move efficiently through the supply chain, and create a positive customer experience.

Using product filters can help identify packaging options that better align with your sustainability initiatives while still meeting functional requirements. To learn more about TricorBraun’s approach, explore our sustainability solutions.

Compare Packaging More Efficiently

When evaluating multiple options, it helps to compare products using a structured set of specifications.

Key details to review may include:

• Capacity
• Dimensions
• Material
• Weight
• Color
• Shape
• Neck finish
• Closure compatibility
• Case pack or order quantity
• Application suitability
• Sustainability attributes
• Availability

A structured comparison process can reduce decision-making time and increase confidence before ordering samples or requesting a quote.

This is especially helpful when multiple stakeholders are involved, such as marketing, operations, procurement, quality, and product development teams. Comparing clear specifications makes it easier for everyone to evaluate options using the same criteria.

Request Samples Before You Commit

Even detailed specifications cannot fully replace hands-on evaluation. Samples allow you to see, feel, and test packaging before making a final decision.

Requesting samples can help you:

• Verify product compatibility
• Evaluate appearance and shelf appeal
• Test closures and dispensing functionality
• Confirm fit with filling equipment
• Review label application and decoration area
• Assess shipping, storage, and handling
• Gather feedback from internal teams or customers

Many packaging decisions become easier once products can be physically reviewed and tested. Sampling can also help identify potential issues before a larger order is placed.

Know When to Explore Custom Packaging

Stock packaging is often a strong choice when speed, availability, and cost efficiency are priorities. However, some products require a more specialized solution.

Custom packaging may be worth exploring when you need:

• A distinctive brand shape or structure
• A unique dispensing experience
• Specific performance requirements
• Specialized decoration or labeling
• A custom color or finish
• Packaging that supports a premium brand position
• A solution designed around a specific product formula or use case

The packaging catalog can be a helpful starting point, even when a custom solution is needed. Reviewing stock options can help clarify your preferences, technical requirements, and design direction before beginning a custom packaging conversation.

Find the Right Packaging Solution

Whether you are launching a new product, refreshing an existing package, comparing alternatives, or planning for future growth, TricorBraun’s product search tools can help simplify the packaging selection process.

Start by defining your product requirements. Then use catalog filters to compare materials, container styles, closures, capacities, availability, sustainability attributes, and more. From there, you can narrow your options, request samples, and connect with a packaging expert for additional guidance

Ready to compare packaging options? 

Browse TricorBraun’s packaging catalog to filter by category, material, style, availability, sustainability attributes, and more. Compare your top options, request samples, or connect with a packaging expert to find the right fit for your product.

For a more in-depth look at how our filters work, watch the video below.