Every mylar bag is a sandwich of films, and each layer has a job. The mylar bag materials you pick decide how fresh your product stays, how the bag feels in a customer’s hand, and what your print looks like. This page explains the options in plain words, so you can pick with confidence.
The Films Your Bags Are Made From
PET (polyester film)
The backbone of most mylar bags. PET is stiff, clear and strong, it prints beautifully, and it gives your bag that crisp, professional feel. It is the layer your artwork usually sits on.
BOPP (polypropylene film)
A soft, flexible film that adds toughness and a smooth finish. BOPP is often used for matte and soft-touch looks, and it helps the bag resist scuffs and handling on the shelf.
Kraft paper laminate
The natural, earthy look that coffee, tea and organic brands love. Kraft film pairs a paper outside with barrier layers inside, so you get the rustic look without giving up freshness. See it on our kraft mylar bags.
Foil laminate
A thin aluminium layer that blocks light, oxygen and moisture better than any clear film. Foil is the choice for products that go stale or lose strength fast, like coffee, supplements and dried foods.
Clear film
See-through film for bags where the product should sell itself. Browse our clear mylar bags to see how they look.
How Barrier Protection Works
Air, moisture and light are the three things that age a product. A single film handles one or two of them well, which is why bags are laminated from several layers, each doing a job. The outside layer carries the print and takes the knocks. The middle layers block oxygen and moisture. The inside layer is food-safe and seals cleanly with heat. If smell matters, the same barrier build that keeps air out also locks odours in, which is how our smell proof bags work.
Finishes That Change the Look and Feel
Matte.
A flat, modern finish with no glare. Fingerprints barely show, and colours look deep and calm.
Gloss.
Shiny and bright. Colours pop, and the bag catches light on the shelf.
Soft touch.
A velvety matte that feels like suede. A premium choice for high-end products.
Spot UV.
Gloss placed only where you want it, a logo or a pattern, over a matte bag. The contrast does the showing off.
Foil and holographic.
Metallic shine built into the film itself. Our holographic bags shift colour as they move and are hard to walk past.
How Your Bags Are Printed
Digital printing.
Best for short runs and multiple designs. It is how we can start at 500 pieces and still print full colour.
Plate printing.
Sharper detail and lower unit cost as quantities grow. Each colour gets its own plate, so setup takes a little longer.
Gravure printing.
The highest detail for very large runs, using engraved cylinders. Gravure starts at 5,000 pieces and gives the lowest cost per bag at volume.
Not sure which fits? Your quote recommends the method that suits your quantity, and explains why.
Closures and Add-Ons
- Resealable zipper. The standard for products used over days or weeks, from coffee to gummies.
- Child-resistant closure. Extra safety for products that must stay out of children’s hands. See our child resistant bags.
- Tear notch. A small nick that lets buyers open the bag cleanly the first time, no scissors needed.
- Hang hole. For bags that will live on retail pegs and hooks.
- Degassing valve. A one-way valve that lets coffee gas escape without letting air in. Standard on our coffee bags.
Material Questions
Which material is best for food?
Any of our food-grade builds work for direct food contact. For oily or strong-smelling foods, a foil or high-barrier build keeps flavours and smells where they belong for longer.
Is kraft as protective as foil?
Kraft bags hide barrier layers under the paper, so they protect far better than plain paper. Foil still blocks the most light and oxygen, so for long shelf life, foil wins. For most coffee, tea and dry goods, kraft is plenty.
Matte or gloss, which should I pick?
Matte if your brand feels calm, natural or premium. Gloss if it feels bold, fun and loud. You can also mix them, with spot UV gloss over a matte base.
Can I combine finishes on one bag?
Yes. Matte with spot UV, foil with a clear window, and soft touch with foil details are all common combinations. Your proof shows exactly how the mix will look before we print.
How thick are your bags?
Thickness depends on the build and the product weight it has to carry. Tell us what you are packing and how much each bag holds, and your quote specifies a film build that is strong enough without wasting material.
Not Sure Which Build Fits Your Product?
Tell us what you are packing in the quote form, and we will recommend the mylar bag materials and finish that fit it, with exact pricing, within 24 hours.
