Aluminum Can Lid Specs and Sourcing Guide
Quick Answer: A complete B2B aluminum packaging specification covers three integrated domains: aluminum can body geometries (Standard, Sleek, Slim), six commercial printing finishes (Glossy, Frosted, Matte, White Base, Tactile, Fluorescent), and easy-open end profiles (SOT, RPT, Full Aperture) with custom tab colors, laser logos, and under-tab QR codes. Capacity, coating, and LME-linked pricing must be verified before signing high-volume contracts.
Table of Contents
Sourcing aluminum cans and ends from separate suppliers often creates a mismatch: the body arrives with a 202 neck, but the lids are sized for 206, or the seamer chuck was never swapped for the CDL profile you ordered. This guide is the checklist we use with clients who want one supplier for both body and end, with every spec aligned before production starts.
We only manufacture and export aluminum cans and easy-open ends. Below is our master spec sheet covering can body sizes, printing finishes, end profiles, internal coatings, and the LME-linked pricing model we use for long-term contracts.
1. Can Body Sizes and Shipping Units
All our can bodies are drawn and ironed from 3104-H19 alloy. We group them into three families: Standard (66mm body), Sleek (53–57mm), and Slim (50mm). The table below lists the sizes we run most often for export.
What volumes and profiles can I order?
Standard formats cover 300ml to 1L with 202 or 209 necks. Sleek formats cover 210ml to 450ml with 202 necks. Slim formats cover 150ml to 250ml with 200 necks. Blank/plain bodies ship at roughly 120,000–160,000 units per 40HQ; printed cans usually need 300,000 pieces per SKU. Pallets are single-stacked to protect sidewalls in transit.
| Can Size / Profile | Nominal Capacity | Body Diameter | Approx. Height | Neck / End Finish | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stubby | 250 ml | 66 mm | 95 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Craft beer, premium soft drinks |
| Slim | 150 ml | 50 mm | 85 mm | 200 (50.0 mm) | Energy shots, mixers |
| Slim | 190 ml | 50 mm | 105 mm | 200 (50.0 mm) | Wine coolers, RTD cocktails |
| Slim | 250 ml | 50 mm | 134 mm | 200 (50.0 mm) | Seltzers, energy drinks |
| Sleek | 210 ml | 53 mm | 118 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Functional beverages, juices |
| Sleek | 250 ml | 53 mm | 135 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Energy drinks, cold brew |
| Sleek | 270 ml | 53 mm | 145 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Premium mixers, teas |
| Sleek | 310 ml | 53 mm | 165 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Craft sodas, sports drinks |
| Sleek | 330 ml | 53 mm | 174 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Beer, sparkling water |
| Sleek | 355 ml | 53 mm | 185 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Energy drinks, craft beer |
| Super Sleek | 450 ml | 53 mm | 235 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Large-format energy drinks |
| Standard | 300 ml | 66 mm | 115 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Soft drinks, beer |
| Standard | 330 ml | 66 mm | 124 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Beer, carbonated drinks |
| Standard | 355 ml | 66 mm | 132 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Soft drinks, beer |
| Standard | 450 ml | 66 mm | 168 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Large beer, kombucha |
| Standard | 473 ml | 66 mm | 176 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | North American craft beer |
| Standard | 500 ml | 66 mm | 185 mm | 202 (52.5 mm) | Beer, cider, RTD cocktails |
| Standard | 1 L | 83 mm | 213 mm | 209 (63.5 mm) | Large-format beer, sharing cans |
*(Note: All dimensions are nominal reference values; exact tolerances depend on final artwork, end type, and palletization. Heights are approximate and exclude end curl. Always confirm final fill volume, double-seam specification, and axial-load rating with your can ends manufacturer before approving production tooling.)*
2. Printing Finishes
We run dry-offset lithography on metal. These are the six finishes buyers ask for most often:
1. Glossy
Default finish. Sharp color, low cost, fast turnaround. Best for high-volume beer and soft-drink runs.
2. Frosted
Textured surface that feels like etched glass. Premium positioning without a large cost jump.
3. Matte
Soft, non-reflective finish. Common on RTD cocktails, energy drinks, and wellness brands.
4. White Base
Opaque white primer under the artwork. Stops the silver metal from showing through and keeps colors accurate.
5. Tactile
Raised texture on selected artwork areas. Adds grip and makes logos stand out on shelf.
6. Fluorescent
Photo-reactive inks that glow under UV light. Used for night-channel marketing, bars, and events.
3. Easy Open End Specs and Customization
We stamp SOT, RPT, CDL, and Full Aperture ends in 200, 202, and 209 sizes. The table below shows the most common combinations.
What end upgrades are available?
On any SOT or RPT base you can add colored shells, colored tabs, laser-etched tab logos, and under-tab QR codes. These can be combined on the same order and are available on B64 or CDL profiles.
| Diameter Spec | Profile Type | Tab Type | Material | Buckle Rating | Target Application | Standard MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202 (52.5 mm) | B64 Profile | SOT (Stay-on-Tab) | Alu 5182 | 95 – 102 PSI | High-Speed Beer & Soda Cans | 300,000 units (1 FCL) |
| 202 (52.5 mm) | B64 Profile | RPT (Ring Pull Tab) | Alu 5182 | 95 – 102 PSI | Traditional Juices & Teas | 300,000 units (1 FCL) |
| 202 (52.5 mm) | CDL Profile | SOT (Stay-on-Tab) | Alu 5182 (Light) | 90 – 95 PSI | Craft Beer, Sparkling Waters | 300,000 units (1 FCL) |
| 202 (52.5 mm) | CDL Profile | RPT (Ring Pull Tab) | Alu 5182 (Light) | 90 – 95 PSI | Premium Cold-Fill Juices | 300,000 units (1 FCL) |
| 200 (50.0 mm) | CDL Profile | SOT (Stay-on-Tab) | Alu 5182 (Light) | 85 – 90 PSI | Sleek/Slim Can Energy Formulas | 300,000 units (1 FCL) |
| 200 (50.0 mm) | CDL Profile | RPT (Ring Pull Tab) | Alu 5182 (Light) | 85 – 90 PSI | Slim Wine Coolers, Functional Shots | 300,000 units (1 FCL) |
| 202 (52.5 mm) | Full Aperture (FA) | Safe Edge Pull Ring | Alu 5182-H39 | 85 – 92 PSI | Wide-Mouth Beverages, Fruit Chunks | 350,000 units (1 FCL) |
| 209 (63.5 mm) | B64 Profile | SOT (Stay-on-Tab) | Alu 5182 | 98 – 105 PSI | 1L Sharing Cans, Large Beer | 350,000 units (1 FCL) |
*(Note: Profile geometry (B64 or CDL) defines the shell rim shape for weight reduction and seamer chuck compatibility; the tab mechanism (SOT or RPT) can be independently stamped onto either base. Customization options including colored shell, colored tab, laser tab logo, and under-tab QR are available on any cross-configuration.)*
4. Internal Coatings
The right coating depends on where the cans are sold:
- Epoxy-Phenolic: Cost-optimized option for markets like Russia and Ghana where it is still permitted.
- BPA-NI: Required for North America, the EU, and the UK. Formulated without intentionally added BPA and backed by migration-test reports.
5. Pricing Model
Our long-term contracts use a "Metal Price + Conversion Fee" structure. The metal portion tracks rolling quarterly averages of the LME aluminum spot index; the conversion fee is fixed. That separates commodity volatility from our margin and gives you a predictable forecast.
Before committing, confirm the end profile matches the can neck and seamer chuck. A single-source order for both body and end removes that mismatch risk and gives you one technical contact for the full container set.
Key Takeaways
- Standard cans use 66mm body / 202 neck; Sleek uses 53–57mm / 202; Slim uses 50mm / 200.
- Six printing finishes: Glossy, Frosted, Matte, White Base, Tactile, Fluorescent.
- Ends come in SOT, RPT, CDL, and Full Aperture with color, laser, and QR upgrades.
- Coating choice depends on destination: Epoxy-Phenolic for price-driven markets, BPA-NI for EU/UK/US.
- Pricing is LME-indexed metal + fixed conversion fee.
Request a Complete Container Spec Sheet
Send us your target can size, end profile, coating requirement, and destination market. We will return a matched spec sheet and LME-indexed quote.
Email can@aluminum-can.comFrequently Asked Questions
What is the most common can end size for Standard and Sleek beverage cans?
Size 202 (52.5mm curl diameter) is the global standard for Standard and Sleek cans. Size 200 is used for Slim cans, and Size 209 is used for large-format 1L sharing cans.
What customization options are available for easy-open ends?
You can add colored shells, colored tabs, laser-etched tab logos, and under-tab QR codes. These upgrades can be combined on the same order and applied to B64 or CDL profiles.
How do internal coating requirements vary by destination market?
Epoxy-Phenolic linings are used in markets like Russia and Ghana where they are still permitted. BPA-NI lacquers are required for North America, the EU, and the UK.
How do you structure pricing for high-volume B2B contracts?
We use a "Metal Price + Conversion Fee" model. The metal portion tracks rolling quarterly averages of the LME aluminum spot index, while the conversion fee stays fixed.
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