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Types of Packaging Films

The importance of packaging films in today's world cannot be exaggerated. Packaging films can be seen everywhere and the simple reason for this is the convenience and protection they provide to a product. In fact, the packaging films also make the products attractive which increases their marketing value. Some of the very popular packaging films that are used to pack and make many products attractive while also protecting them from outer environment have been briefly described for sake of imparting knowledge about them.

Popular Types of Packaging Films

Lamination Films

Lamination films are used for water resistant protection they give to the packaged products. They are also used for laminating documents and photographs etc for protecting them from moisture and water. Lamination film is available in different widths and thicknesses. The thicker the film, the stiffer and more durable the laminated product becomes. There are two basic types of lamination films - 'hot laminating films' and 'cold laminating films.' Cold laminating film- sometimes called tape laminating- uses pressure sensitive adhesives to bind the film to the material being laminated. Hot laminating films are used to laminate materials that are sensitive to higher temperatures, such as photographs and documents or images printed with ink-jet printers. Generally, laminate film is categorized into five categories:

• Standard thermal laminating films
• Low-temperature thermal laminating films
• Heatset (or heat-assisted) laminating films
• Pressure-sensitive films
• Liquid laminates

Metallized Films

Metallized films are polymer films that are coated with a thin layer of metal, usually aluminium. These packaging films offer glossy metallic appearance of an aluminium foil at a reduced weight and cost. Metallized film is widely used for decorative purposes and for food packaging. They are also used for specialty applications like insulation and electronics. Other than aluminum, other materials used for making metalized film include nickel-chromium, plastic and polyester.

Air Bubble Film

An air bubble film is made of two or more layers of LDPE sheets. It has many air bubbles trapped in between the layers of plastic in order to provide cushioning to the packed products. Air bubble film is available in a roll form in varying lengths & gauge . It is generally used for packaging fragile products and valuable items to give them extra protection against dents and scratching. This packaging film can be easily fabricated in pouch and cover for packing products like electronic & electrical appliances; glassware; ceramic products; handicrafts; pharmaceuticals; scientific instruments; engineering & automobile spare parts; and fruits & vegetables. Air bubble film is converted into customized packaging solutions in forms like air bubble pouch, bag , cut piece, padded envelope, mailer for packaging products for shipping, box type bag, etc.

Shrink Films

Shrink film is made from polymer plastic film. When heat is applied to this packaging film, it shrinks tightly over whatever it is covering, thus the name shrink film. While packaging products with shrink films, heat is either applied with a hand held heat gun or the product and film are made to pass through a heat tunnel on a conveyor. Also called shrink wrap, this film is commonly used to wrap various types of packaging, including cartons, boxes, beverage cans and pallet loads. The purposes for using shrink film include stabilizing the packed products, unitizing them, keeping them clean, adding a degree of tamper resistance, etc. Apart from acting as an extra covering for other packaging products, a shrink film can also be used as primary covering for some food items like cheese and meats. It is also used to cover boats after manufacture and for winter storage.

Cling Film

Also known as plastic wrap, cling film is a thin plastic film typically used for sealing food items in containers to keep them fresh for a longer period of time. Cling film is typically sold on rolls in boxes with a cutting edge- just like aluminum foil rolls. These plastic wraps cling to many smooth surfaces and therefore remain tight over the opening of a container without adhesive or other devices. Cling film is traditionally made with PVC but due to the environmental concerns, more and more packaging film manufacturers have started making use of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) for making cling wraps.

Stretch Films

Stretch film, also called stretch wrap is a highly stretchable plastic film that is wrapped around items. The elastic recovery keeps the items tightly bound as against the shrink film which is applied loosely around an item and shrinks tightly with heat. Stretch film, in fact, is a high elongation, polyethylene based film that is used to unitize and protect products during storage and shipment. It is used to unitize a number of small, individual items into larger unit loads, normally on a pallet. There are many types of stretch films that include bundling stretch film, hand stretch film, extended core stretch film, machine stretch film and static dissipative film.

Packaging Films
Anti Fog Films Anti-Static Films Barrier films BOPP Films CD and DVD Overwrap films Cellulose Acetate Films Breathable Films Coated Films Coextruded Films CPP Films Fiberglass Films Filament Films White Films Offset Printing Films	Fluoroplastic Films Heat Shrink Films Label Films Laminated Films Cold Lamination Films Thermal Lamination Films Laser Films Metallized Films Nylon Films OPP Films Pallet Stretch Wrap PET Films PTFE Films Screen Printing Films	Plastic Films Polycarbonate Films Polyester Films Polyethylene Films Printed Films Protection Films PVC Films Shrink Films Shrink Labels Skin Films Stretch Films Water-Soluble Films