Flexible Packaging Glossary

  • Adhesive Strip

    Optional peel and stick adhesive that can be added to act as a closure mechanism for the bag.

  • Barrier

    Describes the ability for packaging materials to restrict air, water, oils, aroma, or flavors from passing through.

  • Bleed

    Refers to print that extends beyond the finished edge of the bag, and is trimmed off.

  • Extrusion

    Melting polymer products then forcing them through a shaped fitting, allowing them to be blown to a specified thickness and size film.

  • Film

    Raw material that can be made of a variety of different materials, but typically polyethylene. It can be printed, folded, cut, sealed, etc. to create custom flexible packaging options (bags, sheets, etc.)

  • Flexible Packaging

    Describes packaging that is made from a flexible material, such as polyethylene bags.

  • Gauge

    Used to describe the thickness of the materials in flexible packaging. Typically measured in mils where each mil is equivalent to 1/1000 of an inch in thickness.

  • Gusset

    The term used to describe a fold in the materials being used to create a bag. It can be a fold in the sides or at the bottom, each allows the bag to expand when filled with product.

     
  • Ice Bags

    Typically, ice bags are wicketed bags that are custom printed with the company's information and logo. Click for more information on wicketed bags.

     
  • Laminated Film

    Term Used to Describe the Film Created When 2 or More Layers of Film Are Bonded Together. Often a Printed Layer Is Laminated Together with a Clear, Protective Layer to Offer Additional Barriers and to Protect the Printed Layer from Wear.

  • LDPE

    Low Density Polyethylene

  • Stand-Up Pouch

    Bottom gusseted bag designed to stand up when filled with product. Typically this design is used to create a display for retail. Stand-up pouch bags are often created by using Laminated materials. Click for more information on laminated pouch bags.

  • Flexographic Printing

    Printing method that uses flexible photopolymer plates mounted on a roller to apply ink to film.

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