Packaging Resource Center: Metals
Mini Lipstick Container
Guerlain’s ornate Kiss Kiss lipstick container was manufactured in a miniature size intended for sale in travel retail outlets. The container’s supplier says that its greatest challenge was replicating the handcrafted look of the retail container’s finish on a small-sized package. The mini container’s hammered texture was achieved by precise injection molding. The firm was able to create invisible parting lines on the ABS base and cap, which were given a gold metallic spray. Also difficult was managing the varying thicknesses of the container, especially when the logo was engraved on the container’s base. The supplier also produces the full-sized Kiss Kiss lipstick container.
Rexam,
Suresnes, France, www.rexam.com
Closures
A supplier’s Prairie line of metal closures gives bottles and jars an elegant look. The caps are available in a range of sizes and in such finishes and colors as shiny silver, shiny gold, matte silver, and matte gold. Available in stock at low minimums, the caps are shipped from the company’s facilities in New Jersey and California. Custom anodized colors can be added with short lead times. The company also offers matching metal, plastic, and glass jars and bottles.
Cospack America Corp.,
Edison, NJ, www.cospackamerica.com
Low Minimums
A company offers its metal containers at low minimums. The new low-minimum line is called Any Way You Like It. Containers are available in a range of sizes and styles, and with numerous customization options. The line includes 15 domestically produced styles, including rectangular, round, and square tins. Tins can be decorated with multicolor lithography, designed with clear windows, or fitted with the brand’s unique, durable plastic ring hinge that provides a more-secure close.
J.L. Clark,
Rockford, IL, www.jlclark.com
Anodizing
An anodizing specialist decorates components such as the custom cap for Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash mascara. The cap was produced as an open-ended ferrule with teeth in order to fit a plastic insert on top. Precise color matching was done to match the bright-green finish on the mascara bottle. According to the supplier, its proprietary anodizing process creates a diamond-hard finish that protects components from fading, chipping, scratching, and peeling.
Anomatic Corp.,
Newark, OH, www.anomatic.com
Collars
A supplier produces aluminum collars in intricate shapes. Collars can be anodized in custom colors and screen-printed and embossed with artwork. According to the supplier, producing the collars requires a full range of eyelet tooling.
Eyelematic Manufacturing Company, Inc.,
Watertown, CT, www.eyelematic.com
Lipstick Container
Part of the Jardin Enchanté makeup collection, a Lise Watier lipstick case was made from metal. The case’s gunmetal color was achieved by anodizing. A new mechanism was developed so that the case could be manufactured in one piece. The brand’s name was hot stamped on, and a silver medallion was added to the cap’s top.
Axilone USA,
New York, NY, www.ileos.com
Racecar Cap
For Elizabeth Arden’s Daytona 500 fragrance, a supplier produced a complex cap shaped like a racecar tire. The cap’s rubber tire is actually thermoplastic elastomer and was embossed with the Daytona 500 logo. The tire rim was made from red anodized aluminum, and the cap’s inner was molded from black polypropylene. Two versions of the cap were created: one to accommodate a pump, and the other for a splash bottle. The pump cap has a hole in the middle for the pump’s actuator to show through like a hub. The splash version is preassembled with a silver medallion in the center hole. According to the supplier, the metal cap was very difficult to produce because its shape is a reversed dome.
Risdon International Inc.,
Watertown, CT, www.risdon.com