Tube packaging comes with its own vocabulary. This glossary defines the key terms brands run into when sourcing custom tubes, from materials and barrier layers to printing methods and order terms.
ABL (Aluminum Barrier Laminate)
A laminate tube built from 5 layers: LDPE, adhesive, aluminum foil, adhesive, and LDPE. The aluminum core blocks oxygen, light, and moisture almost completely, making ABL tubes the standard choice for pharmaceutical and other sensitive formulas.
Barrier layer
The layer within a laminate tube wall responsible for blocking oxygen, light, or moisture from reaching the product. In ABL tubes this is aluminum foil, and in PBL tubes this is EVOH.
Bio-PE
Polyethylene made from renewable, plant-based feedstock such as sugarcane rather than petroleum. It performs identically to standard polyethylene but offers a lower carbon footprint, making it a popular choice for sustainability focused brands.
BPA free
Describes packaging manufactured without bisphenol A, a chemical once common in some plastics. All tubes produced by Top Tubes are BPA free.
Coextrusion
A manufacturing process that combines multiple layers of resin into a single tube wall in one continuous extrusion step. Coextrusion can add up to 5 layers, allowing barrier materials or color layers to be built directly into an extruded tube.
Crimp seal
The folded, flattened seal at the tail end of a tube, formed after the tube is filled with product. Crimp seals can be flat or shaped, and often carry batch codes or expiration dates.
EVOH (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol)
A plastic resin known for its strong oxygen barrier properties. EVOH is used as the core barrier layer in PBL tubes, offering protection similar to aluminum foil while remaining fully recyclable as a plastic.
Extruded tube
A tube manufactured by forcing melted plastic resin through a die to form the tube wall, rather than laminating flat material into a tube shape. Extruded tubes can be single layer or multi-layer through coextrusion.
Flexo printing
Short for flexographic printing, a printing method that uses flexible relief plates to apply ink to a tube’s surface. Flexo printing is efficient for simple designs and larger production runs.
FOB (Free on Board)
A shipping term meaning the buyer takes ownership and responsibility for goods once they leave the seller’s facility. Top Tubes ships all orders FOB Los Angeles.
HDPE
High-density polyethylene, a rigid, chemical resistant plastic resin used in extruded tubes that need extra structural strength. HDPE tubes tend to feel firmer than LDPE tubes.
Hot stamping
A decoration method that uses heat and pressure to apply a thin layer of foil, often metallic gold or silver, onto a tube’s surface. It is commonly used for logos or accents that need a premium, reflective finish.
Laminate tube
A tube constructed from layers of material bonded together into a flat sheet before being formed into a tube shape. ABL and PBL tubes are both types of laminate tubes.
LDPE
Low-density polyethylene, a soft, flexible plastic resin used as the inner and outer layers of most laminate tubes and as the primary material in many extruded tubes. LDPE gives tubes a comfortable, easy squeeze.
LLDPE
Linear low-density polyethylene, a resin similar to LDPE but with added strength and puncture resistance due to its linear molecular structure. It is sometimes blended with other resins to improve tube durability.
Matte finish
A non-reflective, flat surface finish applied to a tube through lamination film or coating. Matte finishes give packaging a soft, modern look and are popular in cosmetics and personal care.
MDPE
Medium-density polyethylene, a resin that falls between LDPE and HDPE in flexibility and rigidity. MDPE offers a balance of squeeze comfort and structural support.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
The smallest quantity of a product a supplier will produce per order. Top Tubes’ MOQ starts at 5,000 units per SKU.
Offset printing
A high quality printing method that transfers ink from a plate to a rubber blanket and then onto the tube. Offset printing supports detailed, photo quality graphics and unlimited color combinations.
Ovality
A measurement of how round a tube’s cross-section is, expressed as the difference between its widest and narrowest points. Low ovality is important for tubes that need to fit precisely into caps or secondary packaging.
PBL (Plastic Barrier Laminate)
A laminate tube built from 5 plastic layers: LDPE, adhesive, EVOH, adhesive, and LDPE. PBL tubes offer strong barrier protection while remaining 100% recyclable, since they contain no aluminum.
PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled)
Plastic material that has been recovered from consumer waste, cleaned, and reprocessed into new resin. PCR content can be blended into tube walls to reduce the amount of virgin plastic used in packaging.
Pearlized finish
A decorative finish that gives a tube a soft, shimmering, pearl like appearance. It is achieved through a specialty ink or coating and is popular in cosmetics packaging.
Polyethylene (PE)
A family of plastic resins, including LDPE, MDPE, HDPE, and LLDPE, that form the base material for most extruded and laminate tubes. Polyethylene is valued for its flexibility, chemical resistance, and low cost.
Pre-production sample
A physical sample of your tube produced before full production begins, used to confirm color, decoration, and overall look and feel. Reviewing a pre-production sample helps catch issues before they affect a full production run.
Shoulder (tube)
The tapered section of a tube where the body narrows to meet the neck and cap. Shoulder shape affects both the tube’s appearance and how easily product dispenses from the opening.
Silk screen printing
A printing method that pushes ink through a fine mesh screen directly onto the tube’s surface. It is a cost effective option for designs with a limited number of solid colors.
SKU
Short for stock keeping unit, a unique identifier assigned to each distinct product or packaging variant. Brands with multiple tube sizes, colors, or formulas will typically have a separate SKU for each combination.
Soft touch finish
A coating applied to a tube’s surface that creates a smooth, velvety texture to the touch. Soft touch finishes are often used to give premium personal care products a distinctive, tactile feel.
TESS (Tamper Evident Safety Seal)
A seal placed across a tube’s opening that must be broken before first use, showing the customer the product has not been opened. TESS seals are common on pharmaceutical and oral care tubes.
Tube diameter
The width of a tube’s body, measured in millimeters, which determines how much product a tube can hold at a given length. Diameter is one of the core specs needed when requesting a tube packaging quote.
Tube length
The overall length of a tube from the shoulder to the crimp end, measured in millimeters. Tube length, combined with diameter, determines the total fill volume of the tube.
Wall thickness
The thickness of a tube’s material wall, which affects rigidity, squeeze feel, and barrier performance. Wall thickness is specified in millimeters and is chosen based on the tube’s material and intended use.
Have a question that is not a definition? Check our tube packaging FAQ, or see our cost guide and lead time breakdown for planning your order.
Top Tubes is based in Diamond Bar, California and serves brands across the USA with custom ABL, PBL, and extruded tube packaging. If you run into a term that is not covered here, reach out and our team will be glad to explain it.
Part of our Packaging Resources hub — your guide to planning a custom tube packaging order.