
As a professional custom flexible packaging manufacturer, Envasado Huiyang understands the importance of choosing the right lamination process for packaging quality. As a food, pharmaceutical, or consumer products company, choosing the right lamination process can significantly improve product protection and business performance. Here in this blog, we are going to write about four commonly used lamination processes, their advantages, and how they can help you improve your packaging efficiency.
Solvent-based Lamination: Increased Strength and Protection
Solvent-based lamination is one of the widely used versions of the conventional lamination process. It entails dissolving an adhesive in a solvent to coat the surface of the packaging material to bond several layers in a way that offers strength and stability.
Key Advantages:
- Good water and oxygen barrier: highly suitable for packaging sensitive products such as food and medication, which can effectively extend the product’s shelf life.
- Good adhesion: suitable for strong adhesive packaging that requires strong protection, especially for heavy products during transit.
However one of the issues with solvent lamination is the use of chemical solvents, which do have an impact on the environment. So, the majority of manufacturers, such as Huiyang Packaging, are trying to reduce solvent emissions and produce eco-friendly products.
Solvent-free Lamination: An Eco-friendly Alternative
Solvent-free lamination is a developing substitute process with an increasing necessity for sustainability. Compared to solvent-based lamination, the use of solvent-free adhesives does not involve chemical solvents and instead applies pressure and heat directly to bond the adhesive onto the packaging material.
Key Benefits:
- Green: no solvents are required, reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
- Packaging food and drugs: Ideal for use in high-performance packaging applications such as food and drugs as no chance of residue from chemical solvent exists.
- Productivity improved: Compared to lamination that relies on solvents, solvent-free lamination has a quick curing process and is therefore ideal for the manufacturing of high output.
Solvent-free lamination is the preferred option for more and more brands looking for green packaging alternatives since it is eco-friendly and highly effective.
Dry Lamination: Lightweight and Flexible
Dry lamination uses dry adhesives to bond two or more layers of material together under pressure. It does not require solvents or sources of heat but relies on a unique dry adhesive coating.
Key Advantages:
- Lightweight package: because fewer adhesives are utilized, dry lamination may find use for lightweight packaging, especially some lightweight products.
- Material versatility: it could be used on wide types of materials such as film, foil aluminum, and paper so it could adapt to different types of business needs.
- Precise printing effect: dry lamination is capable of providing a highly fine and distinct printing effect to ensure good packaging design and brand function.
This process is used extensively for the packaging of snacks, pet foods, and medical packaging because it makes the package both strong and visually appealing.
Heat-seal Lamination: Improved Sealing and Strength
Heat-seal lamination employs heat and pressure to melt and join material layers together through the application of heat. It is used to a large extent in food packaging and product packaging requiring tight closure.
Key benefits:
- Good sealing strength: Heat seal lamination ensures that packages can be sealed well and is suitable for products that need to be air and moisture-tight, e.g., ready-to-eat foods or wet foods.
- High durability: good puncture and tear resistance, suitable for rough transportation conditions.
- Increased product shelf life: Because of the good sealing property, heat seal lamination is used to increase the shelf life of products and safeguard the contents of the package.
The process is usually employed for packaging products that are to be stored for a long period and demand a high level of sealing.
Why Is It Important to Select the Appropriate Lamination Process for Packaging Efficiency?
The appropriate lamination process not only enhances the protection of the product but also saves money through effective production processes. Some of the few important points to select the right lamination process are:
Better Product Protection:
Ensure that the packaging can safeguard the product from external factors such as moisture, oxygen, light, etc., and provide shelf life.
Less Cost:
If solvent-free lamination or dry lamination is adopted, the environment as well as the cost incurred at the time of production can be saved.
Improve Brand Image:
Advanced lamination processes not only can further protect products but also further improve the look of the packaging and enhance the attractiveness of brands.
Why Huiyang Packaging?
As a specialized flexible packaging manufacturer, Envasado Huiyang possesses various lamination methods to meet various requirements of different customers. Our professionals will guide you through the most suitable lamination solution for your product needs so that you can get high-quality and competitive packaging. Below are a few of the advantages of choosing us:
- Green packaging solutions: We emphasize eco-friendly processes such as solvent-free lamination to reduce the impact on the environment.
- Tailored customization: We provide various customization services for the lamination process according to your needs to make the packaging fit the unique requirements of the product.
- Advanced technical support: We employ advanced production equipment to offer efficient production and high-quality packaging.
- On-time delivery: We value the time of delivery and have on-time delivery with no compromise on quality.
FAQ
Which lamination process is best suited for food packaging?
Solvent-free lamination and heat-seal lamination are generally the best suited for food packaging as they are extremely protective and food-safe.
Is solvent-free lamination appropriate for pharmaceutical packaging?
Solvent-free lamination is extremely suitable for pharmaceutical packaging because it is environmentally friendly and will not leave toxic chemical residues.
What process should I choose for laminating my product?
Choosing the most suitable lamination process is to consider the nature of the product, the level of protection required, and whether or not there are environmental requirements. Huiyang Packaging’s experienced staff will help you make the best choice for your specific needs.
Does lamination affect the packaging cost?
Yes, the cost of lamination depends on the kind of lamination. Solvent-free lamination may be costly in the beginning but is eco-friendly and has faster production rates.