When looking at the different types of glass bottles and jars used for packaging, it is important to note that the vast majority of it is not custom packaging, but stock packaging. Most companies, unless you are a massive fortune 500 company like Johnson and Johnson, will buy stock bottles and jars and then use a label or shrink wrap to brand it. Some may also print directly onto the bottle or jar via silk screen printing. So if you use or are planning to use glass bottles and jars for your product(s), the good news is that buying stock packaging is much easier and quicker than buying custom packaging and there are tons of sizes and styles to choose from that should fit just about every need.
In this article I’m going to be showcasing the major styles of glass bottles and jars that are common in the marketplace.
The Different Styles of Glass Bottles and Jars
A bottle typically has a long narrow neck and mouth while a jar typically has a wide mouth opening with much less of a neck. Think wine bottle vs mayonnaise jar.
Glass Jars
Economy Round Jars
Economy Rounds are very common in the marketplace. They have a wide mouth (opening) and are perfect for sauces. They are the classic mayonnaise jar.
Economy Rounds Jar Example
Paragon Jar Example
Paragon Jars
Paragon jars are tall and lean. Commonly seen storing olives or other types of pickled products as well has jam and jelly preserves. The paragon jar has a regal shape and gives the impression of greater volume than it actually holds.
French Square (or Victorian) Jars
These durable jars are often seen housing bath crystals, herbs and other cosmetic or food items. The jar suggests elegance and has four distinct sides perfect for multiple labeling possibilities.
French Square or Victorian Jar Example 1
French Square or Victorian Jar Example 3
French Square or Victorian Jar Example 2
Standard Spice Jar
Both these jars come in round or square. Everybody has seen these classic jars in every grocery store in the modern world.
Square Glass Spice Jar Bottle Example
Hex Jars (Hexagon)
These six sided jars are often associated with elegant jar candles, bath salts, or high-end jams, chutneys or desert sauces.
Hex Jar Example 2
Hex Jar Example 1
Hex Jar Example 3
Mason Jars
Great for canning, DIY projects and for items sold at farmer’s markets. But if the jar says “Mason” or “Ball” on it, maybe not for the consumer marketplace. Still, a very popular style of jar.
Glass Mason Jar Example
Straight-Sided Jars
These jars have virtually no neck and thus make thoroughly scooping out contents easier than jars with more of a neck. The straight sides also maximize the labeling size or showcase the contents more entirely. As with all jars, the uses can be many, but hand and face creams are the product that comes to mind when thinking about straight-sided jars.
Straight Sided Glass Jar Example 2
This jar has no label applied to it. Instead, it is printed on directly via silk screen printing.
Straight Sided Glass Jar Example 1
Glass Bottles
Boston Round Bottle (Winchester Bottle)
This heavy and strong bottle is very commonly used for chemical applications but is also used in food and cosmetic industries as well. They have a very “apothecary” look to them and suggest classic old world. The glass of these bottles is usually clear, blue tinted or amber tinted but can be available in green or frosted. Boston Rounds have a narrow neck and mouth making them compatible for different enclosures other than a standard screw cap, such as pump sprays and eyedropper.
Boston Round Bottle Example 1
Boston Round Bottle (blue tint)
Boston Round Bottle Example 2
Boston Round Bottle (amber tint)
Boston Round Bottle Example 3
Boston Round Bottle (clear)
Boston Round Bottle Example 4
Boston Round Bottle (amber tint with eye-dropper)
Long Necked Bottles (Woozy Bottles)
These bottles come in a variety of sizes but the most common woozy bottle sighting for me is the intrepid hot sauce or cocktail bitters. But cooking wines and some vinaigrettes are also prevalent.
Woozy Bottle Example 1
Hot Sauces are a very common usage for a Woozy or Long Neck Bottle.
Woozy Bottle Example 2
Cocktail Bitters are another example of Woozy or Long Neck Bottle usage
The following bottle types are so product suggestive that they are named by them.
Sauce Bottles
Sauce Bottles come in a variety of styles but do tend to be seen holding sauces (go figure) in our favorite grocery stores; BBQ sauces, salad dressings are very common, although many brands have switched to plastic bottles over the years.
Sauce Bottle Example 1
White Wine Bottle Example
Fun Fact: This is my fav White Wine
Wine Bottles
These usually come clear for white wines and tinted for red wines. This bottle is a standard for wine and will undoubtedly remain so.
Fun Fact 2: This is my fav Red Wine
Liquor Bottle Example 1
Yummy! A very nice Scotch Whiskey!
Liquor Bottles
Tinted or clear, threaded cap or corked, these heavy and sturdy bottles have many variances in style and size, but you know a liquor bottle when you see one. The larger the brand the more likely the company will get their bottles custom made as unique bottle shapes are a strong part of the brand.
Liquor Bottle Example 2
Tequila bottles seem to vary a lot in style from brand to brand.
Marasca Bottle Example
The Marasca bottle has square sides.
Olive Oil Bottles – Marasca (Square) and Dorica (Round)
These tall and slender bottles typically hold olive oil. The Marasca bottles have a square body and the Dorica bottles are round.
Dorica Bottle Example
The Dorica bottle has round sides.
This has been a part of my tutorial series called How to Buy Packaging 101. So click the link below to head back if you haven’t finished reading it yet. 🙂
How to Buy Packaging 101 Part 2 – Determining Your Packaging Needs
