Today, all the products that are produced in different industries; also go through one or more stages of packaging to reach consumers. Plastic, cardboard, etc. are also used for product packaging, but plastic films are the most widely used type. A plastic layer is used even for the final packaging of products that have a cardboard box. The reason for doing this is due to the resistance of all types of plastic against environmental factors such as moisture, and as a result, the product remains healthy until it reaches the consumers. In the continuation of this article, we will examine more details of the types of plastic packaging.
What is plastic packaging?
Packaging of products produced in various industries is considered one of the most important stages of their production. In addition to protecting products from impact, moisture, sunlight, etc., product packaging; Rather, it has made it easier to move and store them, and at the same time, it is considered an advertising method, because it is now possible to print on all kinds of packaging. Therefore, packaging products with different methods has the following advantages:
- Maintaining the health of the product until it reaches the hands of consumers
- Easy to move and store
- Attracting customers and increasing beauty
- Printing product information on the packaging
Among the different packaging methods that exist; The use of plastic packaging is very common. The reason for this is related to the wide variety of packaging plastics and their printability. For example, the types of plastics that are raw materials; Polyethylene, PVC, and polypropylene are produced and are used for packaging more than other plastics. In this way, different plastics are used for the initial and final packaging and palletizing of products.
Advantages of plastic packaging
Each of the methods used to package products produced in different industries has a series of important advantages, but plastic packaging is a unique and efficient method. For example, do you think that cardboard packaging is resistant to moisture? Undoubtedly, the answer to this question is negative. Accordingly, among the most important advantages of plastic packaging and the use of various types of plastic packaging, we can mention the following:
- Moisture resistant
- Fairly good impact resistance
- Easy to move and carry
- Easier to maintain and store
- lightweight
- Easier packing process
- Recyclability
- Suitable printability
- Variation in color
- Variety in thickness and size
- Diversity in raw materials
- elasticity
Therefore, all kinds of plastic packaging can be used for the initial to final packaging of products produced in various industries.
Disadvantages of plastic packaging
Considering that there are different types of plastic packaging and each of them has its characteristics; It can be said that some of them are not suitable for doing a series of packages, and if they are chosen incorrectly, they may have the disadvantages mentioned in the following article:
- Not resistant to transparent and non-colored nylons against sunlight
- Non-biodegradability of packaging plastics
- The possibility of low-quality plastics affecting food
- Tearing and vulnerability of low-quality packaging
For this reason, to choose the type of plastic packaging, you must consider various conditions such as product type, storage type, storage time, etc.
All kinds of plastic packaging
As we said for plastic packaging; Different films made from different raw materials are available and each of them has its own characteristics. For example, you cannot use soft and elastic plastics for the plastic packaging of a jar of jam. Therefore, you should be familiar with the types of plastic packaging that we refer to in the following article:
1_ Shrink film
One of the most common types of plastic films, which is produced with different raw materials and as a result, with different characteristics; is shrink film. Shrink films are sensitive to heat, and accordingly, by applying heat, they quickly shrink and are firmly placed around the product. Currently, PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. shrink films are available, which have the property of printing and are used for the initial to final packaging of products. Packing a jar of jam, a box of gum, 6-packs of water bottles, etc. can all be done with various types of this packaging.
2_ Stretch film
The final packaging that is placed on some cartons, plastic, metal boxes, and even food items such as meat are of stretch film type. stretch film has high elasticity and therefore it is easily placed on different products. Even for the final palletizing of several boxes and their easier moving, stretch is also used. It should be noted that stretchers are produced in different thicknesses and colors, as well as with the ability to print.
3_ Bubble plastic
Bubble plastic is another type of packaging plastic that is produced in two and three-layer models. The small and large bubbles of these plastics are filled with gas and thus prevent the product from being hit. In this way, bubble plastics can be used to package products such as household appliances, car parts, computers, and even furniture.
Packaging plastic printing method
As we said, many types of plastic packaging can be printed, and for this reason, different images and texts can be printed on plastic packaging with different colors and methods. Currently, various methods are also used to print on packaging plastics, which include the following:
- Laser printing
- Flexographic printing
- digital print
- Helio print
- Offset
Note that to choose any of the packaging plastic printing methods, you must pay attention to the type of plastic.
Factors affecting the price of industrial packaging
Undoubtedly, the prices of different types of packaging plastics are not the same, and the different characteristics of each of them, along with several other items; determine the price of all types of plastic packaging. Among the most important factors affecting the price of packaging plastics, we can mention the following:
- Printability
- Plastic-type
- Quality of raw materials
- The price of raw materials
- Order volume
- plastic color
- thickness
Therefore, the higher the quality of the plastic; The price will also increase, but by ordering more tonnage, you can pay a better price.
