Treat a bottle reference as a pointer, not a specification. A catalog URL, an item number, a drawing revision or a photograph tells a supplier which shape you have in mind, and that makes the first conversation faster. Everything physical and commercial about the chosen item still has to be confirmed in writing before you rely on it.
What a reference can tell a supplier and what it cannot
Write a short note next to the reference that keeps what is visible apart from what is unknown. A photo may show a broad shoulder, a clear body or a general neck style. It establishes none of the following:
- dimensions, weight and glass composition
- the finish drawing and whether a closure is included
- packing method and inventory
- documentation and commercial terms
List these as items to confirm instead of filling the gaps with estimates. Whether a reference turns into a workable option depends on the supplier selected and on what the project requires.
Choosing the reference to send
Send the single most specific thing you have: a catalog URL, an item number, a controlled drawing or a set of clear images. If all you have is an inspiration picture, say so, because a supplier needs to know whether you want that exact item or only something in that direction.
When the starting point is an existing product, look first in the liquor bottle collection or the wine bottle collection. These pages help you sort through options; a listing there does not confirm that a given bottle is available for your project.
Building the brief around the reference
A reference becomes useful once the project context sits beside it. Add:
- the intended application and the destination
- target fill volume and the bottle attributes you want
- closure direction and decoration direction
- quantity range and any packing constraints
- the revision of any drawing or technical file you attach
Mark anything undecided as open for review. Our page on how we coordinate partner plants and export support describes the supplier side of this process. When the known fields are filled in, submit the sourcing brief together with the reference.
Confirmations to get in writing before selecting a bottle
Do not count an option as chosen until the supplier has confirmed these points in writing:
- the identity of the item
- the applicable drawing or dimensions
- finish and closure scope
- decoration scope
- packing basis
- destination assumptions
- commercial terms
A photo or a catalog entry supports the discussion. It does not stand in for any of these confirmations.
FAQ
Is a bottle photo enough to act as a specification?
No. A photo conveys the look you are after, and nothing more. The technical and commercial details that matter to the project must be confirmed in writing for the item you select.
What information should travel with the reference?
Where the reference came from, the application, the destination, the bottle attributes you want, closure direction, quantity range, and any drawing or artwork already under revision control.
Can I assume a closure fits because the catalog shows one?
No. Fit has to be reviewed for the specific bottle and closure components against the project requirements.