PACKAGING MATERIALS
Choose the right packaging material for your product, barrier requirements, filling process and sustainability goals.
We work with PET, PE, PP, metallized films, aluminum foil, kraft paper and other flexible packaging structures for custom pouches and roll stock.
Material options
Compare common materials for custom pouches and roll stock, including PET, PE, PP, metallized films, aluminum foil, kraft paper, recyclable structures and compostable options.
Polyester filmPolyester-based packaging film used in many printed and barrier pouch structures. Learn the differences between Mylar®, PET and metallized PET packaging films.
View Mylar Packaging FilmOpaque barrierHigh-barrier foil structures for products that require strong protection from light, oxygen, moisture and aroma.
View Aluminum Foil Packaging
Paper-facedPaper-faced flexible packaging for brands looking for a natural, tactile appearance combined with the barrier and sealing layers required by the product.
View Kraft Paper Packaging
Clear & printablePET and BOPET films are widely used as printable and structural layers in flexible packaging laminates.
View PET Packaging Film
Flexible sealantFlexible polyethylene films commonly used for sealing, product-contact layers and PE-based flexible packaging structures.
View PE Packaging Film
Clarity & stiffnessBOPP, CPP and PP-based films for flexible packaging applications requiring clarity, stiffness, moisture resistance or heat-sealing performance.
View PP Packaging Film
Mono-material goalsExplore mono-material PE, PP and other flexible packaging structures designed around recyclable packaging requirements.
View Recyclable Packaging Materials
End-of-life optionFlexible packaging materials developed for appropriate composting pathways, with barrier, sealing and end-of-life requirements considered together.
View Compostable Packaging MaterialsSide-by-side guideCompare PET, PE, PP, foil, metallized films and kraft packaging materials by structure, barrier, sealing, appearance and application.
Compare Packaging MaterialsMaterial functions
Flexible packaging usually combines materials with different jobs. Depending on the product, one layer may support printing and stiffness, another may provide barrier protection, while the inner layer provides sealing and product-contact performance.
Outer layer
PET and BOPP are commonly used where the outer layer needs good print quality, stiffness, clarity or dimensional stability. Common materials: PET / BOPET • BOPP • Paper-faced structures
PET / BOPET • BOPP • Paper-faced structures
Middle layer
Aluminum foil, metallized PET and other barrier layers can help control oxygen, moisture, aroma and light exposure. Common materials: Aluminum Foil • VMPET • Barrier Coatings • EVOH-based structures
Aluminum foil • VMPET • Barrier coatings • EVOH-based structuresInner layer
PE, CPP and other sealant materials form the inner sealing surface and are selected around the product and filling process. Common materials: PE • LLDPE • CPP • PP-based sealant films
PE • LLDPE • CPP • PP-based sealant filmsAppearance & barrier
Material selection also affects how the finished package looks on shelf. Choose the visual style together with the required barrier and sealing performance.
For windows, product visibility and transparent pouch structures. Common materials: PET • BOPP • PE • CPP
PET • BOPP • PE • CPPFor a metallic appearance and increased light and barrier performance compared with clear film structures. Common option: VMPET / Metallized PET
VMPET / Metallized PETFor opaque high-barrier packaging where stronger protection from light, oxygen and aroma is required. Common option: PET / AL / PE
PET / AL / PEFor natural or paper-look packaging while maintaining the inner sealing and barrier layers required by the product.
Printing, sealing & filling
The right material must work with more than the packaged product. It also needs to match the printing method, pouch-making process, sealing conditions and filling equipment.
Material and surface treatment can affect ink adhesion, color appearance, metallic effects and print quality.
Seal temperature, seal strength and seal window vary between PE, CPP and other sealing materials.
Premade pouch filling, VFFS, HFFS, vacuum packaging and liquid filling systems can require different film properties.
Temperature, puncture, compression, light, moisture and transportation conditions can change the required packaging structure.
Sustainable material options
Sustainable packaging starts with the complete material structure and the intended end-of-life option.
Recyclable, recycled-content and compostable packaging are different options and should be selected according to the product and target market.
Claim note: Sustainability claims should always match the final packaging structure and supporting documentation.
FAQ
PET, PE, PP, metallized films, aluminum foil and paper-based layers are commonly used in flexible packaging. Different materials may be combined depending on printing, barrier, sealing and product requirements.
PET is commonly used for printing, stiffness and structural stability, while PE is widely used as a flexible inner sealing layer. The final function depends on the complete laminate structure.
Aluminum foil uses a continuous metal layer and provides very strong light and gas barrier. Metallized PET is polyester film coated with a thin metallic layer and offers a different balance of barrier, appearance and flexibility.
Mylar® is a registered trademark for PET polyester film. PET is the generic material category, so not every PET packaging film should be described as Mylar®.
Higher-barrier recyclable structures are possible for some applications, but performance depends on the complete material structure, product requirements and intended local recycling system.
Start with your product, pouch type, fill weight, shelf-life target, barrier requirements, filling process, sealing method and sustainability goals.
Request a quote
Tell us your product, pouch format, filling method and barrier needs. We can recommend suitable material structures and prepare a quote.
Tell us what you are packaging and how the package will be filled, stored and used.
