A cork isn’t just a cork.
The term “cork” itself has become a layman’s term for closure—the packaging component that prevents leakage once the spirit is bottled and provides an ease-of-use experience for the consumer who will remove and replace the closure every time they enjoy and share the spirit.
But that little closure does a lot of heavy lifting in the scope of package design for your spirits.
The closure has the obvious (and seemingly boring) function: it keeps the spirit safely inside the bottle until someone wants to pour a drink. But simplicity requires precision design, material selection, and compatibility with the chosen bottle. A closure can fail if measurements are not meticulously aligned or if the material doesn’t match the intention.
There is another equally important function of that closure, though: It is the packaging component the consumer will physically use more than any other. Every time the consumer wants to taste the spirit in the bottle, the closure must do its job without a hitch. It must fit snugly enough in the bottle to maintain the spirit’s quality once it is opened, yet it must be easy to remove and replace multiple times without losing its integrity.
And there is yet a third function—the one that is easy to overlook. A unique and distinctive bottle closure can elevate any spirit from “average” to trendy and collectible.
From Practical to Progressive: Bottle Closure Basics
As we delve into the world of unique and distinctive closure designs, it’s important to recognize their versatility and potential for branding, consumer appeal, and functionality.
Screw-top Closures
Screw-top closures are an economical choice for many spirits at a broad spectrum of price points and provide an infinite opportunity for budget-conscious customization. Color can range from demure matte black or a conventional blue or red to a flashy copper or silver that catches the eye and cues the expectation of a special something that performs above its price point. The variety of textures provides both a visual and tactile distinction as well. Smooth screwtops give a polished look, while ribbed ones offer both ease of use and visual variation.
Because of their economy, screwtops are fantastic options for “standard” bottle sizes, from the small 50ml to the large 1.75ml, because color and design can be easily adapted to the bottle size. On the manufacturing side, they’re compatible with most bottling lines. They’re easy for the consumer to use and easily maintain their shape and functionality for as long as the spirit in the bottle lasts.
Bar-top closures
Bar-top closures–what would be considered a “cork”—of stock design and size are also cost-effective. They’re comprised of two parts: the shank, which fits into the bottle as the “cork,” and the cap, which is the part outside the bottle that the consumer will use to open and close the bottle.
Shanks are comprised primarily of either natural cork, synthetic cork, or an agglomerated combination. Natural cork is a renewable material, harvested at carefully planned intervals from trees that have stood for generations. Its downside, when considered for spirits packaging, is the possible reduction in its ability to maintain a tight seal over a longer period of time.
Synthetic shanks are more cost-effective and, for spirits, provide a more reliable seal that prevents evaporation and oxidation of the spirit. The agglomerated shank is the “Goldilocks” option—natural cork materials bound together with synthetic materials. Called “agglo” for short, the material combines the sustainability of natural sourcing with the potential variety of custom colors and fits.
The bar-top cap can be fashioned from a variety of materials, depending on the color, feel, and price point that best suits the brand. The standard options are solid and reliable—wood, plastic, or composite—and perfect for many spirits at a wide range of shelf positions.
Bar tops also present a remarkable diversity of opportunities for brand enhancements that elevate the seemingly humble closure. When it comes to packaging customization, the cap of the bar top provides a platform for brand communication at a high rate of return for the cost.
Bottle Closure Embellishments That Elevate Brand Identity
What might begin as a “plain” cap—flat, smooth, and constrained—can be transformed into a key element of your brand identity with complex shapes, colors, engravings, and inlaid materials.
Engraving a wooden closure with the brand’s logo or tagline communicates your attention to detail. A pop of color speaks to a spirit of innovation and daring. Metal inlays convey premiumization and elevation, while glass delivers the expectation of meticulous handling.
Best of all, your custom closure becomes a collectible, a token that outlasts the spirit in the bottle. It’s a small prize handed out to consumers at tasting events, a casual element of home decoration to be found on a bar shelf or dresser top, a lovely reminder to make a repeat purchase for future enjoyment, a remembrance of good times and great friends.
Every closure has a function. Makes yours serve multiple advantages. Reach out to a Product Development pro at Spearhead to unlock the potential brand-building value of your bottle closures.