{"id":101298,"date":"2026-07-20T11:18:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T11:18:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/plastic-can-rings-the-packaging-detail-most-breweries-underthink\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T11:18:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T11:18:29","slug":"plastic-can-rings-the-packaging-detail-most-breweries-underthink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/plastic-can-rings-the-packaging-detail-most-breweries-underthink\/","title":{"rendered":"Plastic Can Rings: The Packaging Detail Most Breweries Underthink"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/plastic-can-rings-the-packaging-detail-most-breweries-underthink\/#Why_plastic_still_wins_on_the_production_floor\" >Why plastic still wins on the production floor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/plastic-can-rings-the-packaging-detail-most-breweries-underthink\/#What_actually_separates_a_good_ring_from_a_mediocre_one\" >What actually separates a good ring from a mediocre one<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/plastic-can-rings-the-packaging-detail-most-breweries-underthink\/#Matching_the_ring_to_your_actual_production_setup\" >Matching the ring to your actual production setup<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/plastic-can-rings-the-packaging-detail-most-breweries-underthink\/#Where_sourcing_actually_pays_off\" >Where sourcing actually pays off<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/plastic-can-rings-the-packaging-detail-most-breweries-underthink\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/plastic-can-rings-the-packaging-detail-most-breweries-underthink\/#Bottom_line\" >Bottom line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sixpackrings-1.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sixpackrings-1-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>Ask a brewer why his packaging is effective, and he will mention can design and labeling, perhaps even the box. He rarely mentions the ring that binds the six-pack together. He would be making a grave error in not doing so, for it is one of the few components of his packaging that actually touches the customer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A plastic ring for beer cans may seem like a simple device. It is anything but. The correct ring will last an entire delivery process without breaking down, will fit the size of the can it is designed for, and will not cause problems in the canning operation that cost money in downtime and in returned product.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_plastic_still_wins_on_the_production_floor\"><\/span><b>Why plastic still wins on the production floor<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That&#8217;s why plastic ring carriers have been the standard six-pack package for decades now: it is effective. It is inexpensive, quick to apply on the bottling line without reducing the capacity of the process, and durable enough that other materials might lack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When it comes to breweries that actually operate at volumes &#8211; not small runs of a seasonal product but full cases sent weekly &#8211; consistency becomes even more crucial. A package that fails on occasion becomes a problem for customer satisfaction and even brand reputation down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_actually_separates_a_good_ring_from_a_mediocre_one\"><\/span><b>What actually separates a good ring from a mediocre one<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The reality is that while these can rings may seem alike when they are lined up on a shelf, a few factors come into play about their effectiveness:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fit. Each ring carrier is designed specifically for a particular size of can. A ring that is made for a 12-ounce can will not fit snugly on a 16-ounce tallboy, and whether or not there is a good fit is very easy to notice, either through a loose ring that slips off the can or an inappropriately sized ring that jams your applicator machine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tensile strength. Tensile strength refers to the difference between a ring that makes it through the delivery process and one that breaks down in the coolers. Unlike the first criterion, tensile strength is not something you can assess by looking. Therefore, it is advisable to ask for specifications from the supplier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Consistency of manufacture. When the ring carriers in one shipment fit just right but those in another do not, this speaks to inconsistencies in manufacturing and is definitely something that needs to be addressed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regulations. All the can rings sold in the United States have to be photodegradable according to<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Matching_the_ring_to_your_actual_production_setup\"><\/span><b>Matching the ring to your actual production setup<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The most efficient ring on paper doesn&#8217;t necessarily make the most efficient ring for your line. It boils down to several questions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How large of a size are you producing \u2014 12 oz, 16 oz, or other?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What application equipment do you have currently, and will you need new machinery for this ring?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How large of an order quantity is yours, and does the ring manufacturer fit your release schedule lead times?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Will you need the same vendor supplying the rings and the machinery to put them onto the cans, or will you manage two vendors?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There is a big difference between a seasonal craft brewery releasing a product only once per year and a production brewery running cans daily through its line. Both approaches are fine; they just require different suppliers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_sourcing_actually_pays_off\"><\/span><b>Where sourcing actually pays off<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is the piece that is never mentioned, but it is in this area that the true differentiation between suppliers comes out, in anything except for the rings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixpackrings.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mumm Products<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> developed their entire inventory around plastic can rings, drink carriers, and the application machines, instead of simply having rings as an add-on product within the larger distributor&#8217;s inventory. As a result, the supplier\u2019s specialization usually means more accurate sizing tolerances of can rings, paperwork that does not need chasing, and orders that keep coming through even during a rush canning season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For the brewery, it means less equipment downtime due to line jams, no problems with returned products due to damaged rings, and fewer things to think about at a time when you have a certain release date in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><b>Frequently Asked Questions<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Can plastic can rings remain the most common choice for six-pack packaging?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indeed. They continue to dominate due to their cost-effectiveness, rapid installation on existing canning machinery, and reliable performance during transportation and retail operations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How do I determine that a ring fits my cans?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ring carriers have different diameters corresponding to certain can sizes \u2013 whether you plan to package 12 oz or 16 oz tallboy cans, etc. It is always best to consult a supplier on sizing beforehand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What questions should I ask a potential supplier when switching ring brands?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Always make sure they comply with required standards, confirm sizing for your cans, provide you with the exact load strength parameters, and give you a realistic delivery time based on your order quantity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Can plastic can rings operate with all types of canning machinery?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0In the majority of cases, yes, because they are the industry standard, and most application equipment is designed specifically for them. Any other carrier type \u2013 from plant-based to adhesive \u2013 has a greater probability of additional tooling investments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is the major mistake made by breweries when ordering can rings? The ordering of the lowest-cost item without verifying its size tolerances and loading capacity will prove to be a costly experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bottom_line\"><\/span><strong>Bottom line<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A can ring from plastic may be just a minor and rather cheap component of the overall package design, but it is one of the rare components handled by the consumer himself\/herself. Proper specification of this product is essential for ensuring safe operation of the production line, while proper sourcing will ensure a good profit margin. A partner who treats can rings as a speciality tends to be less troublesome later.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Plastic can rings look simple, but fit, strength, and consistency separate a good one from a mediocre one. Here&#8217;s what actually matters when sourcing them for your line.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20687,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12289],"tags":[49881,49879,49878,49882,49876,49880,49877],"class_list":["post-101298","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-packaging","tag-beverage-can-packaging","tag-brewery-can-rings","tag-can-carrier-packaging","tag-can-ring-suppliers","tag-plastic-can-rings","tag-plastic-ring-carriers","tag-six-pack-ring-carriers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101298","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20687"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101298"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101298\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101299,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101298\/revisions\/101299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101298"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=101298"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zamstudios.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=101298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}