What are the Various Types of Packaging Materials Available?

Are you about to start your journey into the world of Packaging? To be prepared, you’ll need to think about a wide range of factors. Choosing the right packaging materials is an important consideration during this time.

Choosing the right material for a product’s packaging is an important first step. It’s hard to know what to choose. There are many different types of materials for packaging available today. Do you want to use plastic or metal? Do you want to use shrink film or bioplastic?

The best material(s) for packaging can be selected after you’ve looked into your options. However, you must first determine which supplies are best suited to your specific needs.

It has been decades since Industrial Packaging has been distributing, running, and consulting on packaging materials. As a result, we have a thorough understanding of all aspects of packaging materials.

You’ll learn about some of the packaging materials currently on the market in this article. Each option will be explained to you in detail. After that, you’ll be able to make an informed choice about the best material for your products.

In the sections that follow, we’ll take a closer look at a variety of packaging materials. You’ll learn exactly what materials are used in the packaging and when they’re the best to use in each section.

A more in-depth article is linked to each type of material. You’ll get a deeper dive into the subject matter in these articles.

Corrugated Boxes

The packaging industry relies heavily on corrugated boxes. Corrugated boxes have been the go-to packaging material for countless generations. They are used on packaging lines all over the world to package a wide variety of products.

Traditional rectangular corrugated boxes can be purchased pre-formed. Alternatively, the boxes may arrive in flat stacks, which necessitate manual assembly.

Case erectors are often used in conjunction with corrugated boxes for packaging purposes. This type of packaging machinery is known as a case erector. These machines are used to shape flat cardboard into the shape of a traditional box. Products are packaged and shipped in the boxes.

Corrugated cardboard is used to make corrugated boxes.

Fiberboard is used to make corrugated cardboard, a type of packaging material. Corrugated cardboard can be made from a single fiberboard type or a combination of fiberboard types. Fluted lamination is the method used to make corrugated cardboard.

Corrugated fiberboard is another name for corrugated cardboard. Any heavy-duty paper-pulp-based boarding material can be referred to as “cardboard.”

These include electronics, DVDs, consumer goods, as well as pre-packaged food items such as cereal, chips, and cookies.

Read Also: Box Measurements

Stretch Film

In the world of packaging, stretch film is a popular choice for a wide range of products. Most companies that have a shipping department use stretch film to protect their products. Before shipping, they use it to keep their products organized on pallets.

Due to the risk of product collapse or damage during transport. “Load containment” is how stretch film accomplishes this.

Simply put, load containment ensures that your cargo arrives at its destination in a safe and secure manner.

In multi-pack packaging and unitizing, stretch film is a common choice.

Shrink Film

Millions of packaging lines around the world rely on shrink film. It’s one of the most widely used packaging materials on the market today. ” A dizzying array of products are packaged in it.

You can choose from a variety of shrink film options. Among the most widely used materials are PVC, PE, and polyolefin (POF). There are various applications for which each formulation can be used. When it comes to shrink film, polyolefin is the best option.

Poor packaging can result from using the wrong shrink film for the wrong products. However, it’s possible that this will lead to problems with machinery and safety hazards as well.

Shrink film is used with shrink tunnels and sealers to package products. To run shrink film through your packaging line, you’ll need these two types of packaging equipment. The product is first placed in a bag made of shrink film by running it through the sealer.

Printed Shrink Film

Polyolefin (POF) shrink film and polyethylene shrink film are the two most common types of shrink film. In comparison to polyolefin films, shrink film manufacturers (also referred to as OEMs) most commonly sell polyethylene (or PE) shrink film, which is typically thicker.

Printed shrink films are virtually identical to traditional transparent shrink films in their basic design and functionality. But first, a word of caution. The printed version of shrink film has the distinct advantage over clear shrink film in that it can be printed with logos and other eye-catching graphics right on the film. Polyolefin film, unlike clear shrink film, does not need labels.

Read Also: Cosmetic Box Packaging

Polybags

Polybags, in general, are clear or transparent plastic bags that are commonly used to package and ship consumer products. Polyethylene, one of the widely used plastic formulations today, is the primary constituent of polyethylene bags.

The thickness of a polybag is typically between 1-6 mils. Other poly bag thicknesses, both thinner and thicker, are also available. Requests for custom plastic formulations can also be accommodated. They are popular because of their slim shape, smooth hand-feel, reflectivity and great flexibility.

Most commonly, polybags are used to package a wide variety of consumer goods, such as t-shirts, industry magazines, various mailers, bed sheets, and pillows.
Roll Bags

A variety of different plastic formulations can be used to create roll bags, which can be either clear or printed, depending on the product. Pre-rolled on a plastic core, these bags are delivered in a roll. A perforated end on the opposite side of the bag makes it easy to separate the individual bags from the roll.
Carded Packaging

Skin, blister, and clamshell packaging all fall under the umbrella term “carded packaging.” These materials are used in a wide variety of products around the world.

These packaging types can be used for fishing lures to tools, OTC pharmaceuticals, and craft supplies. However, there are subtle differences and uses for each of them.

Let’s take a closer look at the various kinds of carded packaging that are currently on the market and see what makes them unique and useful.