What are the different types of packaging materials? (2023)

Are you entering the world of product packaging? If so, there are many items to consider and report. One of the essential things to consider during this time is choosing the right type of packaging material.

When you want to pack a product, you have to decide what type of material you want to use. But what material to choose? Plastic, metal, cardboard, cardstock, aluminum foil, shrink wrap, bioplastics, boxes, casings, or anything else?

After exploring your options, you can choose the best materials for your packaging needs. But you must understand which consumables are appropriate for your applications.

Industrial Packaging has sold, managed and advised on packaging materials for generations. We know the entire domain of packaging materials inside and out.

This article will show you some of the packaging materials currently available. We will help you understand each option. So you can make an informed decision about which material is right for your products.

Let's dive into several different types ofpackaging materialsUnder of. Each section details what packaging material it is made of and when it is best to use it.

Each type of material is linked to a more detailed article. These articles will offer a deeper exploration of this particular type of material.

Corrugated cardboard

Corrugated cardboardthey are a staple of the packaging industry. For generations, corrugated cardboard boxes have been a must-have packaging material. They are used to pack tons of products on packaging lines around the world.

Corrugated cardboard boxes are typically purchased pre-formed into a traditional rectangular box shape. On the other hand, they may arrive in flat stacks, in which case the boxes must be assembled by hand.

Corrugated cardboard boxes are often used for packaging applications in conjunction withbox assemblers.Case assemblers are a type of packaging machinery. People use these machines to mold flat cardboard into a traditional box shape. The boxes are then used to pack and ship products.

Corrugated cardboard boxes are made from (you guessed it) corrugated cardboard.

corrugated cardboardIt is a packaging material made of cardboard. Usually corrugated cardboardIt's doneof one ormultipletypes of fiberboard corrugated cardboardit's createdthrough a process called corrugated lamination (AKA: corrugation).

Corrugated cardboard is sometimes called corrugated cardboard. cardboard cantechnicallybe any heavy pulp-based shipping material.

Items commonly packaged in corrugated boxes include electronics, DVDs, consumer goods, and prepackaged foods such as cereals, snacks, and crackers.

stretch film

stretch filmIt is one of the most common packaging materials in the world. Companies with a shipping department almost always use stretch wrap. They use it to contain their products on pallets before they are shipped.

This is done to protect the products from collapse or damage during the shipping process. stretch filmachieves this goal with what is called "load containment."

In a nutshell, cargo containment allows your cargo to be properly secured in place so it can reach its destination safely.

There are several types of stretch wrap material currently available. EachIt's donefor specific applications. These types of movies include:

• stretching machine
• stretch plaster
• stretch blown
• pre-stretch
• Hay Bale Elongation

• hand stretch
• color stretch
• UVI Stretch
• IVC stretch
• ventilated stretch
• reinforced stretch
• no sticky stretch

stretch film isCommonlyIt is used for the packaging and unitization of multiple packages. This includes multiple packs of toilet paper, paper towels, and bottled water.

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shrink film

shrink filmit is used in millions of packaging lines in companies around the world. It is one of the most popular types of packaging materials currently on the market. It is used to package an impressive variety of products.

There are different types of shrink film formulations. The most common formulations are polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and polyolefin (POF). each formulationIt is designedfor specific applications. For example, polyolefin is the best shrink film for food wrapping.

Using the wrong shrink wrap for the wrong products can result in poor packaging. It can also result in security risks and machine problems.

Shrink film is used to package products together withshrink tunnelsmisealants🇧🇷 These are two types of packaging machinery required to run shrink film on your packaging line. The product first goes through the sealer, which places the product in a shrink film bag.

Then each side of the bag is heat sealed. The product moves along the line to the shrink tunnel (also known as a heat tunnel). From there, the shrink wrap bag shrinks evenly around the product inside.

Shrink film is commonly used to package board games, frozen pizza boxes, and small consumer goods.

More Sustainable Shrink Film Alternatives

While currently only available in limited quantities,biodegradable shrink filmsmirecycled shrink filmssoncurrently available. For those of you who place significant importance on sustainability and environmental preservation, these may be of interest to you.you

It must be noticed; these films are typically significantly more expensive and, due to supply chain issues, can be difficult to procure on a consistent basis. Some of these movies may also have minimum order requirements.

printed shrink film

The two primary forms ofprinted shrink filminclude polyolefin (or POF) shrink film and polyethylene shrink film. Polyethylene (or PE) shrink film is most commonly sold by shrink film manufacturers (also known as OEMs) and is typically thicker than polyolefin films.

Essentially, the printed films are almost identical to traditional transparent shrink films. But, with a caveat. Unlike transparent shrink film, printed film has the unique ability to print brand aesthetics and eye-catching graphics directly onto the film itself. Unlike transparent shrink films, printedpolyolefin free filmrequire labels.

Printed shrink films are most commonly used by high volume CPG companies and provide a unique material for this type of business. It should be noted that all printed shrink films have a minimum order requirement.

As such they are generally not suitable for low volume applications. On average, the minimum order for printed shrink film is around 50,000 copies. An impression is the length of film needed to wrap a single package.

Although printed shrink films are generally more expensive than traditional clear shrink films, some light gauge printed films aremore accessiblewhile being just as gorgeous as their chunkier counterparts.

shrink film tube

Shrink film tubing (also known as "heat seal" tubing, polyethylene tubing, or high speed tubing) is made from several different plastic formulations. This piping material is commonly used to package various types of consumer goods. This can include glass bottles, fishing rods, metal rods, and other products.

Shrink film tubes are available in custom and standard sizes. Like printed shrink film, shrink film tube can be printed with graphics, images, typography and other branding elements.

polyethylene bags

Usually,polyethylene bagsThey are clear or transparent bags made of plastic that are most commonly used to package and ship specific consumer products. Generally speaking, polythene bags are made from polyethylene, one of the most popular types of plastic packaging formulations today.

Plastic bags have an average thickness of 1 to 6 mils. However, there are exclusive polyethylene bags available in other thicknesses, both thinner and thicker. Some special plastic formulations are also available on request. Polythene bags are popular due to their slim body shape, soft touch, reflectivity, and high flexibility.

Plastic bags are most commonly used in packaging applications for a variety of consumer products, including T-shirts, industry magazines, various mailers, bed sheets, pillows, and many other products.

roll bags

roll bagssona type of clear or printed flexible bag that is made from several different plastic formulations. These bags are pre-rolled in aplastic core and comes on a roll. Each bag has an open side for easy product insertion and a perforated opposite end, allowing each bag to be easily removed from the roll.

Roll bagging is similar to the bags you would normally find hanging on a roll in the supermarket for product bagging. While wheelie bags are more popular in the e-commerce market, they are also widely used for paper mailings and certain types of medical products.

movie pack

Packaging film is a type of shrink film. This type of film is commonly used to form packages of multiple products. Multiple packages are also known as bundles. A multipack can include standalone items or be placed on a pallet or sheet of material.

The package is hidden inside shrink wrap (most commonlyPEBD) and moved through a heat tunnel. The package is then wrapped with shrink film, which holds the package together. Items packaged this way include items such as water bottle wrappers or tissue boxes.

reduction ranges

Contraction bands (also known assealing bands) are a kind ofprotective packaging.These bands are often perforated for ease of use..Retractable banners are pre-made to fit the lid of different types of products. These products include bottles, vials, liquid droppers, andother similar items.

So how do you apply a shrink band?AA soft plastic ring is placed on the lid of the container to be sealed. Heat is then used to cause the ring to shrink evenly around the lid. This heat can be applied with a heat gun, shrink tunnel, or steam tunnel.

Shrink wraps are like other tamper-evident packaging materials. They will let the consumer know if their product hasbeen exposeddamage or manipulate. They help protect consumers from consuming unsafe items.

Shrink bands provide additional strength for product lid sealing. This means that the product labelis improvedcomadditionalprotective qualities.

Flexible Bags

Soft bags are usually made of aluminum foil or plastic (although they can be made of other materials). They are used in packaging for various applications. These applications include food and beverage packaging, as well as industrial liquid packaging. They can be found on the shelves of supermarkets and other retail stores.

Flexible bags have become extremely popular.in recent years for food packaging. This is because most of these bags are resealable. They have alow environmental impactand they are cheaper to produce than alternative packaging materials such as glass, cardboard, metal and paperboard.

The flexible bags areCommonlyused to package products such as granola, energy drinks, coffee, soups, snack foods, nuts, and many other types of food products.

The industrial hemp market has recently embraced flexible bags. They are commonly used as containers for cannabis andhemp productssuch as gummies, whole hemp flowers and other edibles.

well-built

well-builtThe materials are mainly used to group products and protect palletized loads during transport and storage. When used for palletizing, it is often supplemented with the added security ofstretch wrap.

There are several different types of strapping material formulations, including polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), and steel. Suitable strapping applications depend on the formulation required. For example, typical applications for polypropylene include:

• newspapers
• magazines
• direct suitcase
• marcos
• parapet
  
• Wooden floor
  
• Cookware
• Clothing
• food
• hay bales

carton packaging

Carton packaging is a family of packaging supplies that includes three subcategories: skin, blister, and clamshell packaging. These materials are widely used throughout the world for a wide range of products.

From fishing lures to tools, from over-the-counter pharmaceuticals to craft supplies, the applications for this type of packaging are virtually endless. Still, they each have their own subtle differences and uses.

Let's get to know each type of cardboard packaging currently available and discover the differences and applications of each style.

skin packaging

Skin packaging or "skin packs" are a way ofcarton packagingmaterials that completely envelop the product contained in a piece of leather board.A thin sheet of anyleatherette film or surlynit covers the product and is usually vacuum sealed in the lining plate.

Skin packaging may resemble blister packaging, but with skin packaging, the film takes the shape of the product instead of being placed in a standard or universal container.

Products typically sold in skin packs may include seafood, pork, poultry, bison, hand tools, hardware, and other consumer goods.

Packaging films for fur packaging

For skin packaging, there are two main types of plastic films used for these applications. These films include surlyn and skin poly film.

Surlyn

Dupont™ manufactures Surlyn® skin films. They are a lightweight and aesthetically pleasing alternative to shells or blister packs. Surlyn® is used to vacuum pack products on coated skin boards where very high clarity and strength are required. Surlyn is commonly used for food packaging.

Polypele movie

polyethylene filmsIt is another skin film most used in the formation of skin packaging. Skin poly is used for the same applications as surlyn. Skin poly is used in place of surlyn when the application requires a low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic formulation.

For applications that demand high clarity and strength, surlyn is the superior choice, offering both capabilities in a single film.

blister packaging

Blister Pack is the term used to describe various types of preformed plastic containers withvial holdersIt is commonly used to package products such as chewing gum, fishing lures, and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.

The main part of a blister pack is a thermoformed container made from various plastic formulations. A cardboard, foil or plastic backing is attached to the back of the container. The backer is used to seal the products inside the container.

Blister packaging is an excellent option forprotection productsfrom damage, moisture and contamination for long periods of time.

Products commonly found inside blister packs include fishing supplies, arts and crafts supplies, toys, and other consumer goods. If you have batteries lying around your house, they are probably packaged in a good brand blister pack with a cardboard back.

shells

Clamshells are another type of carton packaging.Most shells are made of plastic. However, they are sometimes made from Styrofoam, cardboard, recycled paper, or cardboard.

Shells are made by applying two identical "shells" together. These plastic shells are connected on one side and have locking tabs on the other side. Tabs allow for easy opening and sealing capability.

Common applications for clamshells include take-out items, grinders, breakfast sandwiches, salads, chicken wings, and other similar items.

Are there other types of packing supplies available?

While it only presents a selection of the most popular packaging materials, the packaging materials listed in this article should provide enough information for you to begin to form an idea about the type of packaging material that would work best for your packaging requirements. product.

How to choose the right packaging materials

Now that you understand the different types of packaging materials, the next step is to determine the most suitable materials for packaging your products. To do so, see this companion article,What packaging supplies are right for your products?It will provide you with everything you need to know to choose the right packaging materials.

On the other hand, if you prefer professional guidance in choosing suitable packaging materials for your products, you may wantconsider speaking with one of our packaging experts🇧🇷 They will help you select the right packaging materials and supplier, even if that supplier is not us.