Coated vs Uncoated Tablets: When and Why Coating Is Used
In tablet manufacturing, the decision to coat or leave a tablet uncoated is primarily technical, not cosmetic. Coating influences tablet stability, taste perception, swallowability and manufacturing complexity. This article explains when tablets are typically produced uncoated and when coating is introduced in food supplement manufacturing from a contract manufacturing perspective.
What coating means in tablet manufacturing
Tablet coating is the application of an additional layer onto the tablet surface after compression.
This layer may serve functional, protective or sensory purposes, depending on the product requirements.
Coating is evaluated as part of risk management, balancing product performance against added process complexity.
Coating is evaluated as part of risk management, balancing product performance against added process complexity.
Tablet coating as a manufacturing decision
From a production standpoint, coating is not a default step. Every additional process stage introduces:
Longer production time
Additional equipment and utilities
More variables to control
Higher production costs
For this reason, CMOs generally start
from a simple question:
from a simple question:
Can the tablet perform its function without coating?
If the answer is yes, uncoated tablets
are often preferred.
are often preferred.
Coating is introduced only when it provides a clear functional benefit.
Typical situations where uncoated tablets are used
In many CMO projects, uncoated tablets represent the baseline option evaluated first during feasibility assessment.
- Uncoated tablets are typically chosen when:
- Ingredients have neutral or acceptable taste and smell
- The formulation is physically stable
- Moisture sensitivity is limited
- Tablet surface quality after compression is sufficient
- They are commonly used for:
- Mineral supplements
- Simple vitamin products
- High-volume, cost-sensitive supplements
Practical limitations of uncoated tablets.
Despite their advantages, uncoated tablets are not suitable for every formulation.
Common challenges include:
Common challenges include:
- Unpleasant taste or odor
- Surface dusting or abrasion
- Moisture sensitivity during storage
- Reduced consumer acceptance for long-term use
Coated tablets: when additional functionality is required
Why coating is introduced
Tablet coating is typically applied to address one or more of the following:
Tablet coating is typically applied to address one or more of the following:
- Taste masking of bitter or metallic ingredients
- Improvement of swallowability
- Reduction of dusting and surface abrasion
- Protection of sensitive components
- Improvement of appearance consistency
Common situations where coated tablets are preferred
Coated tablets are often selected when:
- Formulations contain multiple active ingredients
- Amino acids or botanical extracts are used
- Tablets are packaged in jars or bottles
- The product is intended for daily, long-term use
- Manufacturing implications of coating.Introducing coating adds a dedicated production stage, which affects:
- Production timelines
- Energy and utility consumption
- Equipment availability
- Process monitoring requirements
- For CMOs, this means coating decisions are evaluated carefully against:
- Expected production volumes
- Target price positioning
- Long-term scalability
- Coating as a risk-management strategyIn practice, CMOs often treat coating as a risk-management tool rather than a premium feature.
Coating can help:- Stabilize tablets prone to abrasion
- Reduce dust generation during packaging
- Improve consistency across batches
Interaction between coating and packaging
Coating decisions are closely linked to packaging strategy:
- Uncoated tablets may require stronger moisture barriers
- Coated tablets generally perform better in jars and bottles
- Coating can reduce dusting during high-speed filling
Cost considerations in coated vs uncoated tablets
From a cost perspective:
- Uncoated tablets minimize production and validation effort
- Coated tablets involve additional materials, labor and time
However, coating may reduce:
- Rejected batches
- Customer complaints
- Post-market quality issues
As a result,
coated tablets can be more cost-effective over the full product lifecycle, despite higher upfront complexity.
Coated vs uncoated tablets in manufacturing practice
Uncoated tablets are typically chosen when:
- Formulations are stable and palatable
- Production simplicity is essential
- Cost efficiency is a priority
- Taste masking is required
- Surface protection is needed
- Long-term consumer compliance matters
FAQ: Coated vs Uncoated Tablets in Food Supplement Manufacturing
No. Coated tablets are used when there is a functional reason, such as taste masking, surface protection or improved swallowability. When a formulation is stable and palatable, uncoated tablets are often preferred due to simpler and more cost-efficient manufacturing.
Coating can reduce surface abrasion and improve user experience, but it cannot correct fundamental formulation issues. Tablets with poor compressibility or unstable blends typically require formulation optimization rather than coating alone.
Not necessarily. While coating can improve protection against moisture or abrasion, shelf life primarily depends on formulation stability and packaging conditions. Coating is one of several factors influencing long-term product performance.
Yes, coating adds an additional processing step and requires more process control. This increases production time and operational complexity, which is why coating is evaluated carefully during feasibility assessment in contract manufacturing projects.
The decision is typically made during early technical evaluation, based on formulation behavior, target use, packaging selection and scalability considerations. CMOs aim to choose the simplest solution that ensures stable production and acceptable consumer experience.