- Adhesive lamination
A type of lamination where adhesive is used to bond films together.
- Bleed
The area where ink extends into the slit area to provide a clean edge on a finished impression.
- Blown films
Plastic films produced from synthetic resins (such as polyethylene) using a process where molten resin is extruded through a circular die into a tube. This tube is expanded (“blown”) by internal air pressure into a larger bubble with a reduced wall thickness, and then cooled with external air quenching.
- Coefficient of friction (CoF)
A measurement of how slippery a film is.
- Core
A cylinder around which packaging film is wound.
- Die line
The layout or blueprint used for creating flexible packaging film or premade pouch graphics.
- Extrusion lamination
A type of lamination where a curtain of molten polyethylene (PE) is used to bond films together.
- Eye mark
A printed mark used to control repeat registration.
- Fin seal
A type of seal where the inside layer is sealed to itself.
- Gauge
The thickness of a film or flexible packaging structure (typically expressed in mils).
- Horizontal form/fill/seal (HFFS)
A type of packaging line most commonly used for solid products, in which flexible packaging rollstock is formed, filled with product, and sealed.
- Lamination bond
The strength of the bond between two or more films measured in grams on a tensile tester.
- Lap seal
A type of seal where the inside layer is sealed to the outside layer.
- Number across
The number of lanes of impressions being printed at one time.
- Nylon films
A material commonly used in flexible packaging structures to add strength and puncture resistance.
- Oriented polypropylene (OPP) films
A multilayer material commonly used in flexible packaging with advanced seal properties and barrier properties. Non-cavitated films typically have a gauge of .5 to 1.2 mils. OPP can be metallized, matte, clear, or white.
- Plate
A substrate that transfers ink onto the flexible packaging film.
- Polyester (PET) films
A stiff, heat-resistant material with good clarity commonly used in flexible packaging. It doesn’t stretch and is ideal for flexographic printing. PET can be metalized, matte, or clear.
- Polyethylene (PE) films
Films commonly used in flexible packaging, with a variety of blends available that provide different properties. For example, high-density PE (HDPE) provides stiffness. Low-density PE (LDPE) provides puncture and tear resistance. Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) can be used to add barrier. Mettallocene can be added for clarity, stiffness and strength. PE films can be white or clear.
- Print layer
The outer layer of a flexible packaging structure which ink is applied to.
- Repeat
How long an impression is in the machine direction.
- Reverse print
Printing on the inside of the outer layer of a flexible packaging structure prior to lamination. This protects the printing from scuffing and prevents the need for an overprint varnish.
- Rollstock
Flexible packaging film in roll form.
- Seal bond
The strength of a seal measured in grams on a tensile tester.
- Sealant layer
Typically the innermost layer of a flexible packaging structure, with sealing properties.
- Structure
The total combination of films that make up the finished flexible packaging film construction.
- Vertical form/fill/seal (VFFS)
A type of packaging line most commonly used for granular or loose products, in which overhead scales drop product into a package as it is formed and subsequently sealed.