Comparing Different Roll Film Materials

An Introduction to Roll Film in Packaging

There is no doubt that roll film is a workhorse in the packaging industry when it comes to preserving food while also enhancing its display in a store. The film is still more than handy as it can be used to package everything from coffee to snack bags. And if you happen to be a lover of flexible plastic packaging, roll film is the basis for a majority of the constructed packages that you utilize on a daily basis. The roll film in question is capable of maintaining the food’s freshness while also keeping it protected from moisture, all the while keeping the product from getting stale, which helps a brand or a company showcase its imaginative ideas through the packaging designs of the food.

Advantageous Roll Film Materials and Their Role

First on the list is polyethylene (PE), which is a common roll film. It is highly favored when it comes to food packaging because it is pliable and effectively seals moisture and air. It is also strong enough, similar to what you would find in resealable snack bags or the film that seals milk powder packs, that it would take effort to tear it, which is ideal in daily package handling.

Then there is polypropylene (PP) roll film. This material is a little stiffer than PE, but still flexible enough for most of the packaging needs. Works well for film requiring a little more rigidity, such as for some cereal box or coffee powder package. Plus, PP is heat resistant, so it is a suitable material to use for packaging which gets heat sealed in the production line. With the clear finish of PP, customers get a nice visibility of the product within the packaging.  
  
Another commonly used material is the polyester (PET) roll film. PET is super strong and has excellent barrier properties, blocking elements such as oxygen and light which other packaging materials allow in. This makes PET packaging perfect for long shelf-life products such as dried fruits and nuts. Also, it is glossy and with ease, brings attention to custom prints. Due to this, PET is favored amongst brands looking to improve package appearance. Although it is more rigid than PE, PET is still flexible enough to be part of the family of plastic packaging as it is still able to be bent without breaking.

How to Pick the Film Roll Material

The right roll film material depends on what the film will contain. For moist products like some sauces and fresh snacks, the almost moisture-proof PE film will do just fine. For products that must retain their crispness like chips and onto the chipboard box, PP film’s stiffness and airtight seal will keep the chipboard box from getting moisture-laden. For products that are light- and oxygen-sensitive like certain coffee beans and some dried fruits, PET film has the stronger barrier materials to keep the spoilage out.

Think, too, about the end use of the pack. Is the pack, for example, is the pack to be resealable? With a zipper closure attached, the PE film pack is a breeze. If the pack is to be adorned with lots of bright and intricate designs, PET or PP film’s texture is optimally smooth for fine detail

Safety is a top priority still—every one of these materials that are in contact with food is food-grade, thus, will be safely assumed.

Why Choosing the Right Material is Important for Flexible Plastic Packaging

If the wrong substance is selected, flexible plastic packaging may not function as intended. These poor decisions may culminate in the packaging being

 prone to rips, weak seals, or failure to keep out moisture. This not only devalues the product, but decreases the likelihood a customer makes a repeat purchase. On the other hand, having the right material can turn the packaging durable, easy to access, and overall attractive. All these attributes will help the brand earn consumer faith.  

A PE roll film can certainly help keep the chips crunchy for weeks, while a coffee brand can prevent the loss of aroma in opened PET film. Touching the packaging or peeling apart the seals can be pleasurable experiences. Such elements showcase the thought and effort put towards choke flexible plastic packaging. A suitable roll film material doesn’t aid towards optimal customer experience—it serves as the differentiating factor in an ocean of competitors.