Most people think of a capsule as just a delivery vehicle, something to get powder from point A to point B without tasting it. And while that's technically true, the shell itself is worth a closer look. Empty gel capsules are two-piece shells, a body and a cap, designed to be filled with powder, snapped shut, and swallowed. The "gel" in the name refers to the texture and composition of the shell material, which is typically derived from either animal or plant-based sources.
That distinction matters more than most supplement brands let on. Not all capsule shells are made the same way, and not all of them are made from a single ingredient. Many commercially produced capsules contain additives, colorants, and processing agents that have nothing to do with helping you better absorb your supplement. Fillers, binders, and colorants are commonly listed under "Other Ingredients" on supplement labels and are often added for manufacturing convenience rather than any benefit to the consumer. They're there for manufacturing convenience, shelf stability, or appearance.
At Blated, the capsules we carry are made from one single naturally occurring ingredient, either gelatin or pullulan. No fillers, no dyes, nothing extra. Because if you're going through the effort of controlling exactly what goes into your capsule, the shell shouldn't undo that work. What holds your supplement is just as important as what's inside it.
Empty Gelatin Capsules: How They're Made And What's Actually Inside
Gelatin capsules have been the industry standard for decades, and for good reason. They're derived from a single natural source, dissolve reliably in the digestive tract, and carry no synthetic processing agents when made correctly. Here's a closer look at what goes into them:
Where Gelatin Actually Comes From
Gelatin is derived from collagen, sourced from animal byproducts like bovine or porcine hides and bones. It's a naturally occurring protein that has been used in food and medicine for centuries. When used as a capsule shell, it requires no synthetic additives to hold its shape or perform its job.
How Gelatin Capsules Dissolve
Once swallowed, gelatin capsules begin dissolving within minutes in the stomach. The shell breaks down quickly in the presence of moisture and digestive acids, releasing the powder inside efficiently. This makes them a reliable choice for most powdered supplements, including greens, BCAAs, and mushroom powders.
What To Look For When Buying Gelatin Capsules
Not every gelatin capsule on the market is made the same way. Some include titanium dioxide for whitening or added colorants for appearance. At Blated, our gelatin capsules contain one ingredient: gelatin. That is the standard we think every capsule should meet. At Blated, our gelatin capsules contain one ingredient: gelatin. That's the standard we think every capsule should meet.
Vegan Empty Capsules: What Makes Pullulan Different
Most people assume that any plant-based capsule qualifies as vegan, but the source and production method behind the shell material tell a more complete story. Not all vegan-marketed capsules are created from naturally occurring ingredients, and that distinction is worth understanding before you buy. Here's what sets pullulan apart from the rest:
Where Pullulan Comes From
Pullulan is a naturally occurring polysaccharide produced through the fermentation of starch hydrolysate. Unlike synthetic alternatives, it comes from a natural biological process and requires no chemical manufacturing. That makes it one of the few truly natural, plant-derived capsule materials available on the market today.
Why Pullulan Is Not The Same As HPMC
HPMC, or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, is commonly marketed as a vegan capsule option, but it is a synthetically modified cellulose material — not a naturally occurring one. Many call HPMC vegan, but we do not consider it the cleanest vegan option. At Blated, we don't consider HPMC to meet a true vegan standard because of how it's manufactured. Pullulan requires no synthetic processing, which is exactly why it's the only vegan capsule material we carry.
How Pullulan Capsules Perform
Pullulan capsules dissolve comparably to gelatin and hold powder just as effectively. They're also naturally low in moisture, which makes them a stable option for a wide range of supplement powders. For anyone avoiding animal-derived ingredients without compromising on ingredient integrity, pullulan is a straightforward choice.
Gelatin vs. Vegan Capsules: Which One Is Right For You
Choosing between gelatin and pullulan comes down to a few practical considerations, and neither option is inherently better than the other. Both are made from a single naturally occurring ingredient, both perform reliably, and both meet Blated's standard for clean, additive-free capsule shells. Both are made from a single naturally occurring ingredient, both perform reliably, and both meet Blated's standard for clean, additive-free capsule shells. Here's how they compare across the factors that matter most:
Ingredient Source And Dietary Compatibility
Gelatin is animal-derived and sourced from bovine or porcine collagen, making it incompatible with vegan, vegetarian, or certain religious dietary practices. Pullulan is fully plant-based, produced through fermentation of starch hydrolysate, making it suitable for a broader range of dietary needs. If your supplement routine needs to align with specific dietary standards, pullulan is the straightforward choice.
Dissolution And Absorption
Both gelatin and pullulan capsules dissolve efficiently in the digestive tract and release their contents reliably. Gelatin has a longer track record in clinical and pharmaceutical settings, but pullulan performs comparably for everyday supplement use. For most people filling capsules at home, the difference in dissolution time is negligible.
Cost And Availability
Gelatin capsules are generally more widely available and slightly more affordable than pullulan. Pullulan commands a modest price premium as a naturally derived, plant-based material. At Blated, both options are carried in single-ingredient form, so whichever you choose, you're not paying extra for additives you never wanted.
Clear Gel Capsules For Supplements: Sizing, Density, And Dosage
One of the most common mistakes people make when buying empty capsules is choosing a size before understanding how their specific powder behaves. Capsule capacity isn't just about size, it's also about the density of what you're filling it with. Here's what you need to know before committing to a size:
Why Powder Density Changes Everything
Two different powders can look identical in volume but weigh completely different amounts. A capsule that holds a full dose of one supplement may only hold a fraction of another. This is why Blated recommends using the Capsule Size Calculator alongside a digital scale — the calculator tells you what to expect per capsule size, and the scale confirms your actual dosage after filling.
How To Read A Capsule Size Chart
Capsule sizes are numbered, and the sizing convention can feel counterintuitive at first. Larger numbers don't mean larger capsules. Our guide on How to Pick the Best Capsule Size covers every size in detail. Blated's capsule size chart clearly breaks down each size, including practical capacity ranges based on powder density, so you're not left guessing how many capsules you'll need per serving.
Matching Capsule Size To Your Supplement Routine
Getting your capsule size right upfront saves you time, money, and the frustration of recalculating mid-batch. Whether you're filling greens, mushroom powder, BCAAs, or any other supplement, the right size is the one that delivers your intended dose in the fewest capsules possible. Shop Empty Capsules Size 00 to see what's in stock. Use the calculator to find your density, and let the numbers guide your decision.
Filling Your Empty Gel Capsules At Home: Tools And Next Steps
Once you've chosen your capsule material and size, the next question is how you'll actually fill them. Our Beginner's Guide to Filling Your Own Capsules covers the full process from start to finish. Hand-filling capsules one by one is tedious and inconsistent, and most people who try it once don't do it twice. Here's what a practical home setup looks like and where Blated's tools fit in:
Capsule Filling Machines For Home Use
A capsule filling machine lets you fill multiple capsules at once by loading the shells into a tray, spreading your powder across the top, and tamping it down into each capsule body. Our How to Use Your Capsule Filler Core Series guide walks through every step in detail. Blated carries one of the largest selections of manual capsule filling machines in the United States, with models ranging from 100 to 800 holes to suit different batch sizes and routines. Blated carries models ranging from 100 to 800 holes to suit different batch sizes and routines, making even larger batches manageable at home.
High Volume Filling With The Pro-Op 300
For anyone filling capsules regularly or in larger quantities, the Pro-Op 300 is worth considering. It fills capsules significantly faster than any manual model in the lineup, reducing batch time considerably for anyone filling regularly. If your supplement routine has grown past occasional batches, the time savings alone make it a practical upgrade.
Taking Powders Without Capsules Altogether
Capsules aren't the only way to take a powdered supplement without tasting it. For most people taking powders, Blate Papes® are the fastest and easiest method. They're edible gel film pouches — no taste, and they break down in your stomach almost immediately. Capsules are the better choice when consistent pre-measured doses are the priority. Both are worth knowing about before you decide how to build your routine.
