The crown cap—a classic bottle closure—has been widely used since its invention in the late 19th century. Today, it remains a staple in the packaging of beer, soft drinks, juice, condiments, and more. The 26mm crown cap is the most commonly used international standard, known for its excellent sealing performance and cost-effectiveness, making it a key component in the global beverage industry.
Crown caps can be categorized into two main types based on how they are opened: Pry-off and Twist-off.
Key Difference Between Pry-off and Twist-off 26mm Crown Caps
Opening Method:
Pry-off Crown Cap: Requires a bottle opener, key, or similar tool to remove the cap from the bottle neck.
Twist-off Crown Cap: Can be opened easily by hand with a simple twist. This type of aluminum anti-counterfeit cap is especially convenient for consumers.
Seal Structure:
You can distinguish between these two types by examining the liner inside the cap:
Pry-off caps typically feature a dual-lip sealing structure, ideal for traditional smooth-neck glass bottles.
Twist-off caps use a single-lip seal, precisely matched to threaded bottle necks.
The number of sealing lips depends on the bottle neck design:
Pry-off caps work with rounded bottle lips, requiring double sealing lips to ensure a tight seal on both the inner and outer surfaces of the neck.
Twist-off caps are designed for flatter, threaded necks, where a single sealing lip presses against the rim, providing both secure sealing and ease of removal.
In Summary
Crown caps—especially the pry-off type—are widely used in the beverage industry, particularly for beer, thanks to their reliable sealing, branding potential, and visual appeal. They can be printed with custom logos or creative artwork and are available in a variety of structures, colors, and coating options—offering both functionality and marketing value.
Pry-off or Twist-off: Tradition vs. Convenience
Generally speaking, European breweries tend to use pry-off caps, while in the North American market, especially in the United States, small craft breweries choose to use pry-off crown caps to follow the European trend, while medium and large breweries usually choose twist-off caps to facilitate manual opening by end customers.
