Most pump problems trace back to the specification stage, not the production line. If you get these three variables right, the rest of the project tends to run smoothly.
1. Neck finish: measure, do not assume
The closure size is written as two numbers, for example 24/410. The first number is the diameter in millimetres; the second describes the thread type and height. A 24/410 pump will not seal on a 28/410 bottle — this is the single most common specification error we see.
Our standard closures span 24/400, 24/410, 28/400, 28/410, 28/415, 30/410, 33/410, 33/415, 36/410, 40/410 and 43/410. Ask your bottle supplier for the neck drawing rather than measuring a sample by eye.
2. Dosage: match the stroke to the formula
Dosage is stated in millilitres per stroke (ml/T). Lighter products need less; viscous gels need more.
- 1.0 ml — facial lotion, serum, travel sizes (series 105)
- 2.0 ml — body lotion, hand wash (series 201, 206)
- 2.5 ml — shampoo, body wash (series 205)
- 4.0 – 4.5 ml — conditioner, salon sizes (series 401, 405)
If your formula is a wash-off product, consider a foam pump instead: the same volume of liquid produces far more applications because air is mixed in during dispensing.
3. Decoration: decide before tooling, not after
Ribbed, smooth, matte, aluminium-look, UV plating, water transfer and bamboo finishes are all available on the same pump mechanism, but they affect cost, lead time and durability differently. Matte finishing is the most requested option in premium personal care because it photographs well and feels closer to soft-touch.
If your product contains reactive actives, also ask about an outer-spring design, where the spring sits outside the fluid path so the formula only contacts PP and PE.
The short version
Confirm the neck drawing, choose the dose from the product type, and pick a finish your packaging budget can sustain at volume. Send us those three answers and we can quote the matching series the same day.