Industry-standard capsules
Gelatin capsules for proven, efficient filling.
Gelatin capsules are the century-old industry standard, made from bovine or porcine collagen. Their thermogelling film sets predictably, fills cleanly on virtually any machine, and delivers rapid, medium-independent dissolution — which, combined with favorable cost and availability, keeps them the default for many nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products.
Production reliability
Gelatin has been the default hard-capsule material for over a century, so its filling behavior is understood on every generation of equipment. Shells separate, fill, and lock consistently across pharmaceutical and nutraceutical lines, which is a large part of why so many validated processes are built around them.
Dissolution performance
A standard gelatin shell dissolves rapidly and fairly independently of the medium, which makes it a dependable, well-characterized default for release. The main caveat is cross-linking over shelf life, addressed below.
Chemical compatibility and cross-linking
Because gelatin is a reactive protein, it can cross-link when exposed to aldehydes, reducing sugars, or certain reactive actives, forming an insoluble film that slows dissolution as product ages. For reactive or aldehyde-generating fills, or very long shelf lives, this is a real stability consideration — and a reason some formulations move to HPMC.
Moisture and environmental control
Gelatin is plasticized by its own bound water and sits in dynamic equilibrium with ambient humidity. Below its working range it becomes brittle and prone to cracking; above it, shells soften and can deform. Stable temperature and humidity in storage and on the line protect capsule integrity.
Cost, availability, and documentation
For large-volume products with a compatible fill, gelatin offers a strong balance of performance, broad availability, and competitive cost per thousand. As a distributor we pass through the factory's GMP-accredited manufacturing and supply the batch-specific COA, specifications, and certificates — including Halal or Kosher where sourced from appropriately certified gelatin.
Standard colours
A range of stock colours in opaque and transparent finishes. Availability varies by material and size, and we colour-match to Pantone for custom and printed runs.
- Clear
- White
- Ivory
- Yellow
- Orange
- Swedish orange
- Red
- Pink
- Green
- Turquoise
- Blue
- Lavender
- Purple
- Caramel
- Brown
- Grey
- Black
Need a bespoke colour or two-tone combination? Explore custom capsules.
Ideal for
- Established, validated gelatin processes
- High-volume products where cost per thousand matters
- Fills that are chemically compatible with gelatin
- Rapid, medium-independent dissolution requirements
- General nutraceutical and pharmaceutical encapsulation
When HPMC may fit better
If your fill is hygroscopic, reactive, or aldehyde-generating, if you need vegan or clean-label positioning, or if the product ships and stores in dry or variable climates, HPMC removes the moisture and cross-linking risks that gelatin carries.
See HPMC CapsulesDocumentation
- Batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Dimensional and moisture specifications
- Certificate of conformance
- Allergen and BSE/TSE statement
- Halal or Kosher certificates where certified-source gelatin is used
- Country of origin and supplier GMP pass-through
Common questions
Are gelatin capsules suitable for all formulations?
They suit most fills, but moisture-sensitive, hygroscopic, reactive, or aldehyde-generating ingredients can shorten shelf life or cross-link the shell — HPMC is often the better fit there.
Do gelatin capsules require controlled storage?
Yes. Gelatin is moisture-sensitive at both ends: too dry and it cracks, too humid and it softens, so stable temperature and humidity matter.
Are gelatin capsules suitable for high-speed machines?
Yes. Gelatin is widely used across high-speed production and is the material most filling equipment is designed around.
What is capsule cross-linking?
A gradual chemical change in gelatin, triggered by aldehydes or reducing sugars, that forms an insoluble film and slows dissolution over time. HPMC does not have this failure mode.
Can gelatin capsules be Halal or Kosher?
Only when made from appropriately certified sources — for example Halal-certified bovine or fish gelatin. Standard porcine and non-certified bovine gelatin do not qualify; confirm against the certificate for the specific lot.
Specify Gelatin Capsules for your line
Tell us your sizes, colors, and volumes and we'll come back with availability, documentation, and terms — by the box, pallet, or container. No public pricing, no obligation.