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3SS (3-side seal pouch)
- Pouch sealed with a machine on 3 sides
A
AI (Aluminum/foil)
- A thin foil, often laminated to the inside of packaging to provide maximum oxygen, aroma and water vapor barrier protection
B
Barrier
- Material designed to prevent the penetration of water, oils or certain gases that lead to spoilage, color/consistency change, stale-tasting product; therefore increasing shelf life and effectiveness
Biodegradable
- Eco-friendly that is decomposed by bacteria and other living organisms
BOPP (Biaxially-oriented Polypropylene)
- A variant of polypropylene that’s stretched flat, used for applications that require moisture resistance, optical clarity and high tensile strength
C
Child-resistant (CR) zipper
- Type of packaging closure that is designed to reduce the risk of children opening a package and ingesting potentially harmful or hazardous products
Cold seal
- Type of sealing process that can be used on heat-sensitive products without causing any melting or damage
Compostable
- Products that break down into non-toxic components, with the assistance of heat, water, oxygen and microorganisms, nourishing the soil that it returns to
- Compostable materials are biodegradable; however, not all biodegradable materials are compostable
Convertor
- Company that “converts” raw materials into finished products
Copolymer Resin
- Resins that are made from flexible, tough, and clear plastic material
D
DOY Seal (aka doyen, round bottom or doypack)
- One of the most common style of pouch bottoms, with a U-shape gusset that uses the bottom seal as “feet” to stand up on
- Ideal for lightweight products (typically less than 1 lb)
E
EVOH (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol)
- Used in multi-layer films as a barrier to reduce the amount of oxygen that permeates the plastic
- Will typically serve as a based layer, surrounded by other plastics such PET
F
Flat bottom stand up pouch
- Type of pouch that is sealed on the sides and uses one continuous piece of film so that the product sits at the bottom of the pouch
- Ideal use for heavier products
Flexible packaging
- Type of packaging whose shape can readily be changed
G
Gusset
- Fold in the side or bottom of the pouch, allowing it to expand when contents are inserted, allowing it to stand freely
H
Hang hole
- Allows packages to be hung via hooks on retail shelving. 2 common types are round or sombrero hang holes
HDPE (High density polyethylene)
- Versatile plastic made from strong, lightweight material that easily malleable and is widely recyclable in flexible and rigid forms
I
Impulse sealer (also known as heat sealer)
- Can be used on a variety of plastics to strongly seal packaging
J
K
K-Seal
- Type of pouch bottom, ideal for products weighing up to 5lbs
L
LDPE (Low density polyethylene)
- Soft, flexible plastic with a low melting point
- Product example: sandwich bag
LLDPE (Linear low density polyethylene)
- Primarily used in film applications due to its toughness, flexibility, and relative transparency, with higher puncture resistance than LDPE
- Product example: Saran or bubble wrap
M
Matte finish
- Flat, non-shiny look used to play up image texture and is less susceptible to shine and fingerprints
Met BOPP (Metalized BOPP)
- A BOPP film coated with a thin layer of metal (typically aluminum)
Metallic finish
- Slightly glossy, metallic look used for artistic images to brighten colors and deepen saturation
MET PET (Metalized Polyethylene Terephthalate)
- Same properties as PET, but with increased oxygen and water vapor barrier qualities
MVTR (Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate)
- Standard indicator of how easily moisture can permeate a packaging film
N
O
OTR (Oxygen Transmission Ratio/Rate)
- Measurement of the amount of oxygen gas that passes through a substance over a given period
P
PE (Polyethylene)
- Most common and environmentally friendly type of plastic, used primarily for plastic bags and packaging
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
- Tough, temperature-resistant plastic, often combined with other films for heat sealability and improved barrier properties
Plow Bottom (aka plough, corner or folded bottom)
- Type of pouch with no seal on the bottom, only sides of pouch, with product sitting flush on bottom
- Ideal for heavier products (5+lbs)
PMS (Pantone Matching System)
- A proprietary color system used for color matching during the printing process
Polymer
- A molecule comprised of many smaller molecules called monomers
Post Consumer Recycled (PCR)
- Content created by consumers after it has fulfilled its purpose/use that is diverted from landfills and repurposed into other commodities
PP (Polypropylene)
- Has the lowest density all the plastics
Press to close (PTC or P2C) zipper
- Type of zipper where consumers use their fingers to pull the brim apart and push the ribs together in order to open and close package
PVDC (Polyvinylidene Chloride PET)
- Applied to plastics such as BOPP and PET as a water-based coating to increase barrier properties, giving the packaging a glossy finish and increase resistance to scuffing
Q
Quality Check (QC)
- A step used in many stages of the production process, used to ensure that what is being produced is up to the appropriate and expected standards
R
Resin Identification Code (RIC)
- Number on plastic packaging , enclosed in a triangular, used to guide recycling
S
Slitter
- Machine used to convert a master roll into one or more narrower rolls
Solvent
- A substance capable of dissolving another, such as a liquid which dissolves a solid
ST PET (Soft touch PET)
- A type of film finish that gives packaging a unique, more luxurious texture
Stock keeping unit (SKU)
- Unique code which distinguishes one product from another
Substrate
- Any surface on which printing is done
SUP (stand up pouch)
- Type of pouch with the ability to stand up, is sealed on both sides and around the bottom gusset.
T
Tear notch
- Small, intentional tear in packaging, allowing for packaging to be easily opened
U
V
Variable data printing (VDP), also known as Variable Image Printing (VIP) or Variable Imaging (VI)
- Type of digital printing that allows for unique text and graphics to be printed on each package, making it ideal for product launches, promotions, regional and event marketing
- Brand protection, product authentication, track & trace and customer loyalty programs can all be enabled with a VDP solution
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Toxic chemicals emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, some of which may have short and long-term adverse health effects
W
Web
- Roll of printing paper used in web or rotary printing
Window
- Packaging feature that allows you to see the contents inside of a package
X
Y
Yield
- Extent to which film can be stretched without tearing or puncturing
Z
Zipper
- Feature that allows packaging to be reclosed or resealed to preserve freshness and minimize content spillage
