Crafted by PES

10 unique bottle opener ideas to make your brand stand out

A black, 3D printed, plastic prototype and a metal sample of the finished product. In this case a custom, horn shaped beer bottle opener.

Bottle openers are very cost-effective promotional items that are being used by many companies. They are relatively small which means it is easy to distribute them and they don’t require any intricate logistics. Bottle openers come in various designs, each tailored to different types of bottles, user preferences and themes. 

What different types of bottle openers exist?

a)   Bar blade bottle opener

A simple flat piece of metal with a notch to remove caps is called a bar blade. Most often made from stainless steel, with a silver color finish, they can easily be branded via a laser engraving or a print. Bar blades can have an additional layer of rubber, too, which is often a vinyl coating. This coating offers a multitude of color choices. This type of bottle opener is usually made in a rectangular shape, with rounded ends.

two bar blade type bottle openers which are flat rectangular, with rounded edges, pieces of metal, in this case in an antique silver color finish, the one on the right shows an embossing of a standing woman, with an ukelele in her hands; the bottle opener on the left shows an embossing of the words THE ORIGINAL SAILOR JERRY SPICED; to the right of these two products are two bottle caps upside down; the background of this image is plain white
Custom Sailor Jerry rum bar blade. Diecast from zinc alloy, with an antique silver finish.

b)  Mounted bottle opener

A bottle opener fixed to a wall is called a wall-mounted bottle opener. It is particularly useful in settings where a lot of bottles need to be opened quickly, e.g. at large events. It comes in handy because one can easily open a bottle by using just one single hand. A second advantage is that the product won’t get easily lost or stolen. Instead of onto a wall a bottle opener can be attached to a product, too.

c)   Keychain bottle opener

A bottle opener can be one of several functions a product performs. Another product function it is often combined with is a keychain. A well know product that combines a lot more functions is the Swiss Army knife.

d)   Corkscrew

Since there exist different types of bottle closures, e.g. wine bottle corks, there exist corkscrews. Waiter’s often use a product that features a corkscrew, a bottle opener and a foil cutter, all in one. This product is called the Waiter’s Friend or Sommelier Knife.

There exist electric versions of the corkscrew which, battery operated, remove corks automatically.

A T-shaped corkscrew is a simple design with a T-shaped handle and a screw.  

A Winged Corkscrew has two levers (wings) that lift up as the screw is inserted and pushed down to remove the cork. It gives the user stability by providing a higher level of balance.

A Lever Corkscrew, also called Rabbit, uses a lever mechanism to extract the cork with minimal effort.

e)   Churchkey

A Churchkey is a North American term for different types of bottle and can openers. On one end the product is pointed, for puncturing cans. On the other end it has a notch for removing caps. In this regard the Churchkey represents a multi-tool. 

f)     Push Down bottle opener 

The Push Down bottle opener is a relatively large model which is being placed directly ontop of a bottle and then pushed down. It then automatically removes the cap. It often has a magnet on the side, too, which, once the cap has been removed, grabs it. 

g)   Ring bottle opener

Ring bottle openers are worn like a ring and used to remove caps with a quick flick of the wrist. They sure can surprise people who haven’t seen such a product before. Since they are small and lightweight, ring bottle openers are very easy to carry around, even if not placed on a finger. 

A custom ring bottle opener we developed for Heineken
A custom ring bottle opener we developed for Heineken

h)   Novelty Openers

Bottle openers exist in all type of forms, e.g. shaped like animals, sports equipment or other novelty shapes for fun or themed use. 

A custom dwarf cap shaped bottle opener we made for a Belgian beer brand named La Chouffe

There exist a multitude of different openers. Each type offers unique advantages depending on the setting and the user's needs. Whether for professional bartending, casual home use or on-the-go convenience, there's a bottle opener suited for every purpose. 

How to define your design? 

When it comes to defining the type of bottle opener that fits your particular brand, there are a couple of important things to consider.

What is your brand about? What is its style? Is it a traditional or more of a contemporary type of brand? What theme fits your brand? Is it e.g. a spirit brand that uses a seafaring or piracy theme? This is relevant for defining the design of any of your branded merchandise. It needs to fit your brain identity. 

What is your target audience? What do they care about? What do they believe in? What do they therefore expect from a brand within your product or service category? If you were part of your own brand’s target audience, think in terms of “People like us….”. It could for example be that “People like us like minimal design” or “People like us appreciate vintage objects” or “People like us value sustainability and therefore prefer products that minimise harming our planet”. This not only has an impact on the design of your bottle opener but on your decision regarding its packaging.

Key shaped bottle opener

What is your brand’s primary story? What are its key elements? Are there any ways of creating a bottle opener that fits this story? 

What role should the branding on your bottle opener play? Do you opt for a more subtle type of branding, which is barely noticeable. Maybe even hidden, only to reveal itself after a user has been intrigued by the question “Who came up with such a unique product?” and examines it in detail. Who can help you to actually create the design that fits your brand? Choose a freelance designer, an agency or a production company that, preferably, has their own, in-house product design team. Their expertise will be instrumental in developing a good solution together with you.  

Bottle opener ideas that spark your imagination

Everyday objects like bottle openers can be eye-catching, awe inspiring, functional and entertaining all in one. Here are a total of 10 unique examples, two for each of the following five aspects of bottle openers we’re describing: Minimal design, Brand storytelling, Thematic ideas, Subtle branding and Eye catchers. Hopefully these examples will get your creative juices flowing.

1.  Minimal design 

The clean and simple design ensures that minimalist bottle openers never go out of style. High-quality materials and a stable construction ensure longevity and consistent performance.

Reflex bottle opener
Dyad keyring bottle opener

Dyad represents the smallest possible community, one that consists of two members. 

For this community to function, both members need to cooperate. In the case of the Dyad keyholder it refers to two different geometric shapes, a trapeze and a circle, which together form a bottle opener.

2.  Brand storytelling

Brand storytellers use narrative techniques to connect with an audience and reveal what their brand is about. The narrative can take on many different forms, depending on a brand’s identity, its values and the characters involved. Custom branded merchandise, for example bottle openers, can be made in such a way to fit a particular brand’s story. 

Sailor Jerry dog tag bottle opener

We made this custom dog tag bottle opener because it fits the outlaw lifestyle. A lifestyle that would come to define the pioneering tattoo style and ethos of Norman Collins. The man behind Sailor Jerry Rum. During WWII, Collins tattooed countless military men who were on shore leave. His tattoos depicted the challenges these men had overcome. 

A good idea for creating a unique bottle opener is to replicate the shape of a 3D element from your logo or another distinct element that is part of your brand world.

Laško Zlatorog is a Slovenian beer brand. The word Zlatorog means Goldhorn. In Slovene folkore, Goldhorn is an Alpine ibex that lived on Mount Triglav. According to the legend,  Goldhorn’s golden horns were the key to a hidden treasure. Connecting to this brand story, we developed a concept for a horn shaped bottle opener. Additionally, by choosing antique brass as its finish, we created a connection to the golden horns. At the same time the black patina of antique brass highlights this bottle opener’s relief structure.    

3. Thematic ideas

Themed bottle openers are designed relating to specific themes. This enhances the consumer experience and creates a memorable connection with the brand or occasion. The first example refers to the theme of sports, in this case football. The second example refers to the theme of music, since it had been developed and made for a music event a beer brand had been supporting as a sponsor. 

Karlovacko bottle openers

4. Subtle branding

Xpent bottle opener shaped like clamping system

Some brand owners know their audience prefers subtle branding. During concept development they will make sure to achieve this. Using distinctive shapes can be an effective alternative to relying solely on a prominent logo. This approach enhances brand recognition, create a memorable visual identity, and convey specific brand values.

Custom shape bottle opener for Desperados

5. Eye catchers

Embrace abstract forms and unconventional shapes. This results in unique and eye-catching pieces that double as conversation starters.

Card shaped bottle opener

Embrace abstract forms and unconventional shapes. This results in unique and eye-catching pieces that double as conversation starters.

Triangle bottle opener

Designed as a triangle which symbolises stability and groundedness, this bottle opener features a series of triangles all throughout its solid form and empty spaces. Apart from being a hand tool, the TRIANGLE bottle opener becomes a sculpture when not in use. Made from solid metal, it is available in an antique brass and a satin silver finish. 

Apart from being a hand tool, the TRIANGLE bottle opener becomes a sculpture when not in use.

This bottle opener is part of a brand named VAU. We created this brand, which is about practical desktop objects and jewelry, inspired by nature, geometry, spirituality and art, back in 2017. 

Looking for custom bottle openers for your brand? Take a look at our work or contact us to explore a potential cooperation.

P.E.S.-ZAGREB d.o.o.

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