It’s no secret that the flexible packaging market is growing and growing fast. Many consumers and packagers are turning to flexible packaging because of its light weight, convenient features, and endless customization options.
But as you create your next custom mylar bag or pouch, you need to decide whether you’ll use cold seal or heat seal adhesives.
In this post, we answer the questions: what are they, how are they different, and which should you choose?
Cold seal and heat seal adhesive coatings are both used in a variety of flexible packaging applications. They each have advantages and disadvantages and work best for specific product needs. Do you know the difference between the two and which works best for your application? Read on to find out.
Choosing the right adhesive coating for your product depends on a number of variables, primarily the specific needs and requirements of the item, such as machine speed and capacity, barrier properties, and seal strength.
Heat sealing is the most widely used package sealing technology, and is the preferred choice when a high-integrity seal is needed. Heat seal packaging consists of a multi-layered film including an outer layer, core layer, and interior sealant layer.
Heat seal packaging doesn’t require any special processes or materials (such as pressure-sensitive adhesives). Therefore it’s the more economical choice.
Available in a wide range of laminations, heat seal films also offer a wider variety of performance characteristics over cold seal films. For example, better barrier properties keep oxygen, light, and other environmental elements out of the package (and away from your product).
You can also create a tamper-evident seal to ensure your product’s integrity.
During production you need to carefully manage the following three factors to ensure an effective heat seal:
These factors work together to create the seal and must be in balance to do so effectively.
Heat sealing can be used in many food and beverage applications, and for pouches and bags in all shapes and sizes.
Cold seal packaging is also used in many industries and is preferred for temperature- sensitive products such as chocolate, other confectionery items, and ice cream, as well as medical packaging. It requires only pressure, no heat.
The process involves two films, one reverse-printed with the brand owner’s package design, and a second that provides the barrier to protect the product.
Cold seal adhesives are unique in that they seal only to themselves. For example, when a substrate coated with a cold seal adhesive comes into contact with another substrate coated with the same cold seal adhesive, the two are bonded together through pressure, not heat.
Cold sealing is sometimes referred to as “self-seal”. Packagers using cold seal adhesives can choose the bond strength – from low to high – depending on application and packaging specifications.
But the most notable advantage of cold seal technology is speed. The cold seal process can be up to 10 times faster than heat sealing.
Why? Because production lines don’t have to wait for machines to heat up, as with heat sealing. Additionally, the absence of heat eliminates burn injuries, which leads to a safer working environment.
But there is a downside to the cold seal: the lack of chemical resistance and other properties often required by the FDA, depending on the type of product being packaged.
Cold seal adhesives are also sensitive to air contact and require a suitable release surface.
As you have read, both cold seal and heat seal have their advantages and disadvantages. Each one works best for specific applications. As you seek to find the right sealing process for your product, keep in mind that when you partner with ePac, we can help you determine the right materials and seal for your specific flexible package. Call us today to get started.
Quad seal bags, also known as Stabilo bags, are box pouches, and pouches with a flat bottom. The base of these pouches resembles that of a standard box. Because of their sturdy foundation, these bags are often referred to as the most durable.
With its clean, modular appearance, this package shape is a popular choice for a variety of products. It is a dream come true for the marketing department since it has four panels that may show images and information.
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The ease of storage and convenience characteristics of the quad bag are two reasons why customers choose this particular kind of bag.
Because of this, quad seal pouch packaging can sit on the shelves comfortably, is stable, maintains its fashionable form, and ultimately keeps its individuality intact.
Most importantly, this provides your customers with an all-around excellent unboxing experience, as they can be sure that their purchase is secure and the contents!
The quad seal pouch is strengthened and sturdy because of its four vertical seals, making it perfect for bulk fills with goods. Because of this, it is ideal for holding heavier items such as Coffee, Pet Food, snacks, etc.
This style of packaging has a lower packaging to product ratio than other types of packaging. As a result, it is an excellent choice for those who are concerned with right-sizing their packaging to its contents to decrease waste.
The gussets of a quad seal bag stretch in an accordion-like motion. This allows the bag to stand on its own, as well as gives it a large amount of space to store products.
As a result of the fact that the content, information, and branding may be printed on both the vertical panels and the side gussets, the quad bag is an excellent promotional item.
So if you are a company trying to increase brand recognition or promote a new product, the quad seal bag is an ideal option for you.
The quad seal pouch, in contrast to a regular pillow bag, has a construction that allows it to stand on its own, giving it a powerful presence on the shelf.
This is not only good for product stability but also makes your products more eye-catching and attractive to potential customers.
The quad seal pouch has a flat bottom, which makes it easy to load and unload products.
This is in contrast to other types of bags, such as the stand-up pouch, which can be more difficult to handle because of their round bottoms.
The quad seal pouch is more expensive to produce than a regular pillow bag because of its more complex construction. As a result, it is not always the best option for companies that are working with tight budgets.
The quad seal pouch, because of its square shape, takes up more space on the shelves than other types of pouches.
This can be a disadvantage for companies who have limited shelf space, or who are selling their products in bulk quantities.
If you decide to make quad seal bags on a VFFS machine in-house, you will need machine operators with a somewhat higher level of technical skill for this process.
There is a larger potential for mistakes with these machines since they contain a greater number of moving components and assemblies. But if this is your concern, no worries! Experts of Spack Machine are careful in accommodating your questions and concerns in handling the machine.
The bottom of quad seal bags does not have a level surface since they are constructed using a fold-over rather than being flat. Because of this, when the package is full, it will be heavy enough to press the bottom of the bag down, which will allow it to stand properly.
However, since there is less weight in the package when it is used up, the seal may not be as flat as it was initially, which causes the quad bag to topple over.
On the other hand, when constructing bigger and heavier quad bags, it is often necessary for the bag to rest flat to be stable because of the way the weight is distributed inside the bag and the shape of the bag.
Because of this, the number of visible panels for marketing purposes will be reduced, and the product will take up more space on the shelf.
The quad seal pouch is not a good option for products that need to be poured out, such as liquids, because the bottom gusset can make it difficult to control the pour.
So if you are packaging a product like this, you may want to consider another type of pouch, such as a stand-up pouch with a pour spout.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website 3 Side Seal Pouch.