Glossary

3SS (3-side seal pouch)

Pouch sealed with a machine on 3 sides

AI (Aluminum/foil)

A thin foil, often laminated to the inside of packaging to provide maximum oxygen, aroma and water vapor barrier protection

Barrier

Material designed to prevent the penetration of water, oils or certain gases that lead to spoilage, colour/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

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

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)

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

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

Gusset

Fold in the side or bottom of the pouch, allowing it to expand when contents are inserted, allowing it to stand freely

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

Impulse sealer (also known as heat sealer)

Can be used on a variety of plastics to strongly seal packaging

K-Seal

Type of pouch bottom, ideal for products weighing up to 5lbs

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

Matte finish

Flat, non-shiny look used to play up image texture and is less susceptible to shine and fingerprints

Met BOPP (Metalised 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 (Metalised 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

OTR (Oxygen Transmission Ratio/Rate)

Measurement of the amount of oxygen gas that passes through a substance over a given period

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

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

Resin Identification Code (RIC)

Number on plastic packaging , enclosed in a triangular, used to guide recycling

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.

Tear notch

Small, intentional tear in packaging, allowing for packaging to be easily opened

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

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

Yield

Extent to which film can be stretched without tearing or puncturing

Zipper

Feature that allows packaging to be reclosed or resealed to preserve freshness and minimize content spillage