How To Make Your Own Capsules? (With Or Without A Machine)

Where did you get your vitamins or dietary supplements? Of course, grabbing a bottle off a drugstore shelf is the easiest way. But are you 100% sure you're eating the freshest ingredients? If you take dietary supplements daily, you may have to spend a couple hundred bucks on them monthly. 

Have you ever thought about getting all the nutrients you need in a more economical and convenient way? How about a DIY approach? Making your own capsules is actually not as complicated as it seems. If taking the path sounds attractive to you, keep on reading. We will guide you on how to make your own capsules. And if you want to learn how to manufacturing capsules in bulk, you may check this post "A Complete Guide To Capsule Manufacturing Process".

What Will You Need To Hand Fill Your Capsules?

Before figuring out how to make capsules, you will need a few items to ensure the process goes accurately and smoothly. Here are some of the items you may need.

1. Empty capsules

You'll need empty hard shell capsules. These capsules should be suitable for your intended fill material. Capsules come in a variety of sizes, so you need to pick the right one for your filling needs.

 

Size 00 capsules are the most popular in the supplement industry because they have a large fill weight for their size. The powder contained in the 00 capsules is roughly 750 mg.

2. Fill material of your choice

This will be the ingredient you intend to fill the capsules with. The formulations can be powders, granules, or other forms that can easily fit into the capsules. Purchase whatever it is in large quantities. This helps save money.

3. Scale

If you're going to fill capsules by bare hand, a scale with enough sensitivity is required. This tool helps you control the fill weight of each capsule. Choose a scale that is milligram-accurate.

4. Micro spoon, mini scoop, or funnel

These small tools can make it easier to handle delicate materials when you fill small capsules with bare hands. They also help minimize spillage.

5. Manual capsule filling machine

Compared to bare hand filling, a manual capsule filling machine can make the process faster, more efficient, and more productive. In the meantime, it helps prevent cross-contamination when your ingredients require higher filling standards.

6. Storage container

After filling, you may need containers or plastic bags to store the filled capsules and leftover powder. Dosing so is to avoid contamination and moisture loss or gain.

How To Make Capsules By Hand

If you just have a few capsules to fill, there are some simple techniques to help you get the best homemade capsules.

1. Scoop and push method

This is the simplest and quickest method for filling capsules by bare hand. No tool is needed. Whether the powder density is low or high, the scoop and push method works.

(Image Source: Fill Your Own Capsules)

Step 1: Pour a certain amount of powder or other intended fill material into a bowl.

Step 2: Separate an empty capsule, holding the cap in one hand and the body in the other.

Step 3: Dip the capsule cap and body into the powder.

Step 4: Load powder in a scooping motion until the body is filled with powder. Ensure the cap is not over-packed with powder so the capsule can be sealed fully.

Step 5: Close the capsule.

2. Lab scoop or folded paper or funnel method

Compared with the above method, these techniques require the use of a small tool to complete the filling process. If you need to handle lightweight or fluffy ingredients, these methods ensure a more uniform dose than just scooping with bare hands. Also, these tools help pack powders tightly into the capsule.

(Image Source: Fill Your Own Capsules)

Step 1: Pour a certain amount of powder into a bowl.

Step 2: Separate an empty capsule, holding the body in either hand.

Step 3: Use the other hand to scoop the powder with a lab scoop and pour it into the empty capsule body. You can also grab a piece of paper and fold it in half. Put the powder in the paper fold crease and pour it into the capsule. Or you can use a funnel to fill multiple capsules at the same time. This also helps achieve more precise dosages.

Step 4: Tamp the powder into the capsule body and ensure it's firmly packed.

Step 5: Push the capsule cap against the body to lock the filled capsule.

How To Make Capsules With A Machine

In fact, creating your own capsule supplements at home is less challenging than you think. Aside from bare hand filling, using a manual capsule filling machine can greatly improve your production output.

Most manual capsule fillers function in a similar fashion. Making your own capsule supplements only require a few straightforward steps.

Step 1: Place the alignment plate on top of the cap plate and pour in empty capsules 1.5-2 times the number of the plate holes. Shake the plates to make the capsule caps fall into the holes of the cap plate.

Step 2: Tilt the alignment plate to remove any excess capsule caps from the exit.

Step 3: If you notice any inverted capsule caps, use one of the caps to pick up the inverted one and remove it.

Step 4: Cover the cap plate with the middle plate with notches facing up and press the two plates together.

Step 5: Place the alignment plate on top of the body plate and pour in empty capsules 1.5-2 times the number of the plate holes. Shake the plates to make the capsule bodies fall into the holes of the body plate.

Step 6: Tilt the alignment plate to remove any excess capsule bodies from the exit.

Step 7: If you notice any inverted capsule bodies, press the body plate to make the inverted capsule body pop out and replace it.

Step 8: Place the spill guard in the positioning hole of the body plate and pour the pre-weighed powder into the spill guard. Use the spatula to scrape the powder into the capsule bodies.

Step 9: Scrape off any excess powder from the exit of the spill guard and place it in a container prepared in advance to collect the powder.

Step 10: Match the protruding part of the tamper with the spill guard and pack the powder firmly (without removing the spill guard) to fill more powder.

Step 11: Once the filling is complete, remove the spill guard.

Step 12: Flip the combined middle and cap plates over and cover the body plate.

Step 13: Press the center of the cap plate with both hands to lock it for the first time.

Step 14: Flip the capsule plates and press the body plate with both hands to finish the second locking.

Step 15: Check if there are any protruding capsule bodies. If so, the capsules are successfully closed. Otherwise, repeat Step 14 until the capsules are fully locked.

Below is a step-by-step video on how to make capsules with a manual filler.

 

If you're interested in these hand-operated capsule fillers, there is a good selection of high-quality machines available at iPharMachine.

Model	CN-20CL	CN-100CL	RN-100CL	CN-100M
Holes	20	100	100	100
Material	PMMA	PMMA	PMMA	Stainless Steel
Upside-Down	0.1	0.3	0.3	0.2
Scrap Rate	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
Output	400	2000	3000	2000

For those considering starting a pharma business in the future, at iPharMachine, we also offer more auto and semi-auto capsule filling equipment, such as JTJ-V Series Semi-Automatic Capsule Filling Machines and SFK Series Automatic Capsule Filling Machines.

JTJ-V Pro+	SFK-3000

 

Must-Know Success Tips To Make Your Own Capsules

Here are some tips allowing you to make your own capsule supplements successfully.

1. Start small

If you've never tried making capsules, begin with a small batch. Practice first and see if the capsules work for you. Once there's no problem, you can consider making more.

2. Use high-quality ingredients

Be sure to use organic, non-allergen, non-GMO, or non-additive ingredients. This ensures you get a safer, cleaner formula.

3. Choose the right equipment

If you want to produce your capsules more efficiently, a manual capsule filling machine will help you out. Choose the equipment that suits your specific needs.

4. Follow a recipe

Following a recipe ensures that you make the capsules properly while reducing waste. There are many recipes online. Be sure to pick the one based on what you like to consume and how much time you have.

5. Measure accurately

Accurate measurement must be a critical step if you're following a recipe. A scale measures your ingredients accurately so you can get a uniform dosage for each capsule.

6. Store properly

Store the filled capsules in a cool, dry place. This ensures that your capsule supplements remain fresh and effective. Use airtight containers or zippered plastic bags to prevent moisture and air from getting in.

The Bottom Line

Producing your own capsules is not rocket science. The guide above will help you get the best possible capsule supplements. Making capsules at home is a budget-friendly, fun, and rewarding journey for those interested in natural health and wellness.