Vocabulary for flexible packaging
Vocabulary for flexible packaging
A
Aluminum foil: is an important material in laminates due to its widespread use in flexible packaging. It provides barrier protection against light, oxygen, moisture, gases, and other factors that could affect the content of your products.
Adhesive lamination: A process of lamination in which individual layers of multi-layer packaging materials are layered together by an adhesive.
Artwork: can be customized to suit the design you want for your product labeling.
B
Barrier: This is used to describe the packaging’s ability to protect it from deterioration of moisture, gas, vapor. Heat, light, and oxygen through the packaging material.
Bleed: The printed image or color extends beyond the trimmed margin of the finished printed piece.
Blown films: are plastic films fabricated from synthetic resins like polyethylene using the blown process. This process extrudes the molten resin through a circular shape and air pressure is used to expand the film into desired dimensions. It is then left to cool to solidify the polymer.
Biodegradable: This is an environmentally friendly solution in reducing waste materials. Because they are decomposed by bacteria and other living organisms.
BOPP film（biaxially-oriented polypropylene): is an alternative polypropylene that is stretched flat. Mainly used in applications that need moisture resistance, optical clarity, and high tensile strength.
Barcode: serves as an identity and quick verification for your products. They are also used to track inventory and invoices.
Base ink: is a single-pigmented ink with a high pigment-binder ratio, used in packaging applications for mixing
C
CPP (RCPP): A polypropylene film with a glossy finish that is more durable than the PE and has a high heat resistance with heat sealable properties. This is used mainly as a heat seal layer in retort packaging.
CMYK printing: It is a four-color ink overlay that produces a color image through four different color systems. (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) . Color images can be mixed by the four-color printing. Which is suitable for printing complex colors in packaging bags.
Color manager: This is used in the PMS (Pantone Matching System) because the color language and design are uniforms to allow color matching. This provides us with an accurate level of correctness in terms of color identification, quality production, and designs.
Cylinder plates: In gravure printing, the image is engraved on a cylinder in offset printing and flexography, it uses a rotating press.
Color Separation: This is the transfer of an original photograph or other works of art. Into separate cylinder plates in rotogravure printing, one color separate in one cylinder plate.
Cell: In terms of printing plates. It is a small etched or engraved depression in gravure cylinder plates that carries out the ink.
Core: the film is etched on a paper tube.
Child-resistant zipper: It is a zipper that restricts the accessibility of a child in packaging. This zipper is designed to ensure that children are protected from harmful products.
Compostable: Compostable food packaging is composed of plant-based recycled materials that require less carbon to produce. Decreasing waste products in landfill areas while nourishing the earth with life-sustaining nutrients.
Convertor: Processing raw packaging stocks into their more developed state by the use of printing. gluing, laminating, etc.
Clarity: The degree of transparency of a flexible packaging
Cold Seal: A process that utilizes pressure to seal flexible packaging without the use of heat.
Coextrusion: Creation of a single film through the extrusion of two or more layers simultaneously. It uses two different molten resins creating an identical laminate. That has distinct properties from its components
CPG（consumer packaging goods): These are products the consumers use almost daily and are needed to be restocked frequently.
D
Doy pack: This one of the most common styles for pouch bottoms. It has a U-shape gusset that uses the bottom seal as its base to stand up. Doy packs design has two flat sheets secured together along their sides with a W fold in its top edge until the bottom. The W Fold opens when the pouch is filled that provides the stability of the doy pack to stand upright on its own.
Die line: is used for the final layout design of your printed product. This a diagram in a flattened form that presents you the possible folds and cut lines of your packaging design.
Digital printing: uses a method of transferring documents from a desktop or any storage device. Directly to a printing substrate machine that receives graphics and text output.
Delamination: Is the detachment or splitting of laminate layers. Because of the inadequate adhesion or the mechanical disruption like peeling or shearing forces.
Drying process: The drying process of flexible packaging is a crucial part that can affect the final quality of the product. Hot air dryers are essential for drying water-based or solvent-based inks. Because the heated air circulates the surface until it is completely dried.
Door-to-door service: Door-to-door service is being provided for consumers regardless if you have large or small quantities via ship or by plane.
E
EVA ( Ethylene Vinyl Acetate): A copolymer in a stretched film that adds strength to a normal polyethylene film. The melting point is much lower and its softness increases if the vinyl acetate increases as well. Resins in the EVA have 2 to 18% of VA content used for cast and blown packaging films enhancing its sealability.
EVOH ( Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol): This is known as a copolymer of polyethylene extruded in plastic films to improve oxygen barrier properties. It comprises 20 to 35% of ethylene that offers polymeric oxygen barriers in the packaging industry. This is typically the core layer of the co-extruded plastic films shielding it from moisture using the protective layers of polyethylene.
Euro slot: A horizontal slot punched into the closed end of the bag. This allows the bag to be hung on a display shelf when it is filled.
Engineering Customized Film: Typically there is 3 to 7 PE co-extrusion in the multilayer. The more PE layer it has in the multi-layer, the more it increases the durability of the packaging material in terms of tensile strength and tears resistance.
Ergonomic Handle: It makes heavy products portable for transport and use by incorporating a handle. The ergonomic handle is perfectly shaped for the palm of your hand for grabbing or pouring making it convenient for consumers to use.
F
flexible packaging: A packaging that uses nonrigid materials for more economical and customizable options. Made from flexible or easily yielding materials like foil, plastic, paper, and other pliable product containers.
Fin Seal: Also knowns as Fold over seam its interior edges are sealed together and the fin is folded over.
Flat Bottom Pouch: looks like box or brick style that have gussets on the left side, right side, and gusset on the bottom.
Flat Lay Pouch: Also known as pillow pouch typically used for single or multi-use applications. These are perfect for products that are slim and can fit inside a box.
FDA: this means that all materials used in flexible packaging meet the guidelines of the FDA. In Layman’s terms, it means that the materials used are food-grade approved.
G
Gusset: the fold in the side or bottom of the pouch that allows it to expand when products are inserted.
Glossy Printing: Makes the product vapor resistant, smooth to hold, and appealing to look at.. Also it gives the product a bright finish because the bag can reflect to light inlike with matt printing.
Good manufacturing practice (GMP): Good manufacturing practices mean that the manufacturing process was designed in a way that it produced a high-quality product that poses minimum risk to the consumer
Graphic Designer: They mainly help clients and advise them with the packaging design, use of materials, style, format, print production, etc.
H
Horizontal form/fill/seal (HFFS): A one-stop packaging machine that forms, fills, and seals a package at a constant and undisrupted pace. The roll-fed film is horizontally folded to suit your packaging shape secured by a heat seal.
Hang hole: can be a Euro slot or round-punched holes allowing the product to be hung on the shelves.
HDPE (High-density polyethylene): It provides higher stiffness, temperature resistance, and protection from water vapor but is still considerably hazier.
heat-seal layer: Is for the finish and complete production of the flexible packaging because every completed bag needs to be heat sealed to be formed
Hot- Stamping Printing: Flexible packaging uses an analog hot stamp dies with a formulated foil ribbon to create a static image on a substrate. The heated die is pressed onto the ribbon and the ink is melted on the substrate.
I
Ink: The ink in flexible packaging amplifies the graphic appearance of the packaging preserving the design during the production process, shipping, and consumer consumption.
K
Kraft paper: Is made from a whole wood pulp paper. This is a composite material used in kraft paper packaging making it more in line with sustainable packaging.
K- corner bottom: has a seal rising from a 30° degree angle from every side. It is equipped with a protective seal to prevent heavy products from filling inside the bag. This can hold products weighing from 1 up to 5 pounds.
L
LLDPE ( Linear low-density polyethylene): A copolymer used in the inner layer of flexible packaging that provides puncture and tear-resistant with heat seal properties.
Lamination bond: The durability of the bonds between two or more films on a tensile tester that is measured in grams.
Layout: Drawing or sketch of a proposed printed piece
Light resistance: The capability of the material to withstand exposure to light without any changes in its color, physical, and chemical properties.
Landfill: is the conventional approach in waste management
M
Mylar™: Mylar is a registered trademark of the Dupont-Teijin Corporation. Is the industrial name for the polyester film (PET) of this company. Polyester film is a staple of multilayer packaging for a wide range of applications.
Matte BOPP (Biaxially oriented polypropylene): A matte variant of polypropylene with a fuzzy film surface effect that’s stretched flat, used for applications that require moisture resistance, optical clarity, and high tensile strength.
Matt Printing of matte finish: This allows us to have a more natural and sophisticated finish. The matte finish also provides us better handling experience because of its velvety texture.
Metalized- pet (MET- PET): It has the same characteristics as a PET but withan alumunim coating to provide a more enhanced feature for oxygen and water vapor barrier.
Moisture Vapor transmission rate (MVTR) : The steady-state rate where water vapor permeates in the film at specified conditions of temperature and humidity. Its values are expressed in g/100 in 2/ 24 hr in US standard units and g/m2/24 hr in metric ( or SI ) units.
Mono- structure: Is a single polymer in the multi layer or a single layer packaging that is composed of material type like PE, PP, PET, or Paper.
Multi-layered packaging: These are composite materials that use innovative technologies to enhance the packaging barrier properties, strength, and storage capacity.
Moisture-proof: The packaging’s ability to resist moisture build up when exposed to conditions with high humidity and heat.
N
Nylon: Are polyamide resins that have a high melting point, clarity, and stiffness. There are two types of nylon films: Nylon-6 and Nylon-66. Nylon-6 offers great temperature resistance while the other is easier and cheaper to process.
O
OTR (Oxygen Transmission Ratio/Rate): Measure the amount of oxygen gas passing through substances in a specific period.
Opacity: The plastic film’s pigmented ability to conceal is perfect for storing light-sensitive materials.
One-way-valve: A valve with a one-way flow that releases carbon dioxide from the packaging without letting oxygen or moisture in.
P
Polyethylene (PE): Most common and environmentally friendly type of plastic, used primarily for plastic bags and packaging,
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): Biaxial oriented PET film is used in packaging laminates because it provides strength, stiffness, and temperature resistance.
Polypropylene (PP): Often used as an outer layer of flexible packaging because of its durability and heat resistance in the packaging.
Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC): A thermoplastic that is clear and flexible produced from the polymerization of vinylidene chloride. It provides oxygen and moisture barrier properties that can extend the shelf life of your packaging.
Printing layer: The outer layer of a flexible packaging structure, to which ink is applied.
Plow bottom gusset for stand-up pouch: It features a distinctive corner seal fold at the bottom that has a W shaped. This is recommended for products that weigh 5 pounds or more and because the products are heavy it does not need extra support from a bottom seal to make them vertically stand up on shelves.
Press-to-close zipper: These are interlocking plastic pipes that click into place and are prevented by friction from opening.
PMS Number: The Pantone Matching Scheme is a color definition system that is universally accepted. Colors may be combined or defined separately to precisely match a Pantone reference color.
Post-consumer recycled: a material made from the items that are recycled every day, like aluminum, cardboard boxes, paper, and plastic bottles
Puncture resistance: The maximum force required to penetrate or puncture through a material.
Pre-press: Expression used in the printing and publishing industries for the production process between the print layout and final printing.
Plain stock bag: A blank bag made in advance without any printing ( perfect for customization of small quantities with high demand for MOQ customers.
Partially matt varnish: Using the matt ink on a glossy film to make some areas matt or other text and logos glossy.
R
Retort pouch: Is a type of flexible packaging able to withstand high temperatures and humid environment. Equipped with high-barrier, puncture-resistant, and high-quality material that can resist high temperatures up to 131 degrees without spoiling the product inside.
Roll stock: A roll of flexible packaging film that is printed and laminated.
Rotogravure printing: A type of printing process that is engraved in a copper-plated cylinder rotating in ink where the image is transferred to a substrate.
Reverse printing: Printing on the opposite side of the film then the ink is kept between the multi layer materials.
Resin: These are polymers that are made into flexible packaging.
Q
Quad Seal Bag: is a type of flexible packaging designed to stand alone on the shelf. They have a flat bottom pouch that allows them to stand up on the shelves. Its two side gusset and panels are connected to four vertical seals allowing you more branding and printing options.
S
Solvent-free: is a substance that contains no or little solvent, making it environmentally friendly.
Stand-up pouch: This is a flexible pouch design in which the bottom part is gusseted to provide a sufficient base to support the pouch, making it stand up for display or use.
Side gusset bag or side gusset back sealed bag: This is similar to a quad seal bag it has semi-oval shaped indents on both sides of the bag that form a square or rectangle base. These have two flat panels on the front and back with the gussets on the left and right sides.
Slide zipper: This is an added feature in flexible packaging for convenience. For consumers, it is easier to use and seal the package by sliding it from one end to another.
Stick pack: is designed for single-serve products. It is designed for consumers as it is small and has a tear-up feature so that consumers can open it at any time.
SKU（stock keep unit): These are the different variations or categories that you have in a specific product or brand.
Slitter: A slitter is a machine that turns cuts a roll of stock in a long direction.
Set up time: When we adjust the ink and set the plates in the machine-like in the gravure printing it takes time. So having a setup time is very efficient to accurately know the turnaround time of your packaging.
Spot colors: are individually pre-mixed colors that are created from a formula. It is ideal for color accuracy and consistency in product printing.
Spout pouch: This is ideally convenient for packaging small quantities of solid and liquid food products like juices and condiments.
Shaped pouch: A shaped pouch is very popular to use in custom printing to accommodate the shapes and images you want on your product. It has high-quality barrier and puncture-resistant materials that are sustainable so it is good for the environment.
Screen printing: uses a woven piece of fabric to transfer designs on your Product packaging. Also, the ink can adhere through a wide range of materials like paper, glass, ceramics, woods, and even metal.
Sustainable: Flexible packaging is sustainable because it requires less energy to produce and transport. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption. It also consumes less water in production and has a high product-to-package ratio.
T
Tear notch: This is an optional feature added for the consumer’s convenience. It allows the packaging to be accessible to the consumer’s anytime without needing to use scissors or cutting materials.
Tensile strength: is performed to determine the packaging materials’ maximum capacity before it ruptures or tests. Simply to say that it measures how strong a paper or packaging can be /
Tin ties: are becoming more popular because of the protection they offer for your product. This allows you to close the bag tightly and conveniently to keep your products fresh for a longer period.
Tear resistance: Tear resistance is the force you need to tear a plastic film, textile, paper, or board.
Three-side seal bag: A simple, effective, and low-cost bag offering excellent accessibility and shelf capacity. It is made up of laminated foil, folded by a machine, sealed on both sides, and left open at the top/bottom to fill the product.
Translucent: Matte transparent windows in product packaging. Allows the consumer to see the inside of the packaging without having to open it.
U
UV protection: A type of printing finish incorporated into the flexible packaging in absorbing Uv radiation.
Vacuum packaging: This is a process of removing the air from the packaging and sealing it tightly.
Vapor barrier: Barrier materials in flexible packaging prevent infiltration of moisture, water vapor, oil, oxygen, gases and light to maintain the quality of packaged products
VMPET（metallized PET or MET-PET): A vacuum metalized polyester film that deposits a thin layer of aluminum in a PET film substrate.
VMCPP（metallized CPP): An aluminum coated foil with a heat sealing layer with characteristics of Pe, and VMPET for increased barrier properties.
Velcro zipper: It contains strips of thin plastic sheet on both sides that have tiny loops and flexible hooks on each side. When pressed together they can be tightly sealed, you can pull it apart to open it.
W
Water Vapor Transmission Rate or WVTR: The steady rate where water vapor permeates through a film of temperature and humidity.
Window: Allows the product to be seen and easily identified by the consumers.
Water-based ink: Are screen-printing eco friendly water-soluble inks that are much thinner when printed and adheres to fibers better.
Y
Z
Zipper: Allows the packaging contents to stay fresh by locking the packaging. The zipper’s teeth are shaped and sized to be congruent with one another
