What each machine actually does
A can sealer crimps a rigid lid onto a rigid can — PET or aluminum. The seal is mechanical and permanent; the can survives shipping, stacking and long shelf life. A cup sealer applies heat and pressure to fuse a flexible lidding film across the rim of a plastic cup or tray. The film peels off in the consumer's hand.
Quick comparison
| Can sealer | Cup sealer | |
|---|---|---|
| Container | Rigid PET / aluminum cans | Plastic cups & trays |
| Closure | Crimped rigid lid | Peelable lidding film |
| Typical products | Drinks, RTD, nuts, coffee, powders | Yogurt, bubble tea, sauces, fresh meals |
| Shelf life | Long (ambient stable) | Shorter (chilled / MAP) |
| Our most-shipped line | PET & aluminum, incl. UK/Japan/Canada exports | Yogurt & bubble-tea fill-seal lines |
Choose a can sealer if…
You pack beverages, ready-to-drink, nuts, coffee or powders in cans. Our most-shipped line is PET and aluminum can sealers, including exports to the UK, Japan and Canada. Can sealing is the right call when the product is liquid or dry, needs a long shelf life, and ships without refrigeration.
Choose a cup sealer if…
You pack yogurt, bubble tea, sauces or fresh meals in cups/trays. Pair it with filling for a full fill-seal line. Cup sealing wins when the product is viscous, chilled, or eaten with a spoon — and when the consumer expects to peel the lid themselves.
Decision checklist
- Is the container rigid metal/plastic can? → Can sealer
- Is the container a plastic cup or tray with film lid? → Cup sealer
- Need ambient shelf life of 6+ months? → lean can
- Product is yogurt / sauce / fresh meal, chilled? → lean cup
- Unsure? Send two numbers (diameter mm + output/hr) and we'll spec it.
FAQ
- Can one machine do both cans and cups?
- No — the sealing principle is different (crimp vs film heat-seal). They are separate machine families. We can supply both as a packaged line if you run both formats.
- Which is cheaper to run?
- Cans need lids; cups need lidding film. Both are low-cost consumables. The bigger cost driver is automation level and output, not can-vs-cup.
- Do you build for food safety / CE?
- Yes. Builds are food-grade stainless where it contacts product, and CE-compliant on request for EU/UK shipments.
- Can you seal my actual sample?
- Yes — send us your can or cup and we'll run a test video so you can verify seal quality before ordering. See our sealing machines.
Still unsure which setup fits?
Send two numbers — container diameter (mm) and target output/hour — and we'll tell you exactly which machine you need and what it costs to run.
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