If you’ve spent any time around the packaging industry, you’ve probably heard someone say something like,

“Do you need a CT, CRC, or TE cap?”

If you’re new to packaging, all the acronyms can make it feel like everyone else got the study guide except you.

Packaging has its own language, and if you’re not around it every day, it can feel like alphabet soup. The good news is these three terms are actually pretty simple once someone explains them.

Prefer to watch instead of read? We put together a short video that covers the same topic. Click here to watch it.

Quick Read

• CT = Continuous Thread
• CRC = Child Resistant Closure
• TE = Tamper Evident Closure

Let’s break them down.

Continuous Thread (CT)

A Continuous Thread cap is exactly what most people picture when they think of a cap.

It simply screws on and screws off.

You’ll find CT caps on products like peanut butter jars, protein powder, vitamins, chemicals, and thousands of other everyday products.

If it doesn’t need to be child resistant or show evidence of tampering, there’s a good chance it’s a CT cap.

Child Resistant (CRC)

Child Resistant caps are designed to be difficult for young children to open.

Most require two motions at the same time, like push down and turn or squeeze and turn.

You’ll commonly see them on products like prescription bottles, bleach, pesticides, and other household or industrial chemicals where safety is critical.

Tamper Evident (TE)

Tamper Evident caps let you know if a package has already been opened.

They’re the ones that make that familiar “crack” when you first twist them off, leaving the tamper band behind.

Think bottled water, soft drinks, sports drinks, and many food products.

They’re designed to give customers confidence that nobody has opened the package before they did.

The Takeaway

Most people never think about caps…

Until they order the wrong one.

Knowing the difference between a CT, CRC, and TE cap won’t make you a packaging engineer, but it’ll make conversations with suppliers a whole lot easier.

And if you’re ever unsure which closure is right for your application…

Ask TK.