By Word Whimsy 
A custom Mylar bag is a durable, airtight pouch made from protective layered materials and printed with a brand’s own design, size, and features to preserve products and showcase packaging.
Given that customized Mylar bags have become one of the most widely used packaging options in modern day retail, they can be found on store shelves for a variety of businesses, such as coffee roasters and snack manufacturers to cosmetics and specialty branded products, providing products with a durable, safe, and identifiable container to display to potential customers.
If you have ever held a matte finished zippered bag with bright graphics, you know how well the bags do their job.
This resource article will go through what custom Mylar bags are, as well as what makes them different from standard plastic bags, and why every industry will use them as a packaging option.
What is a Custom Mylar Bag?
A custom printed Mylar bag is a protective, flexible packaging pouch made from layered barrier materials that block air, moisture, light, and odors, designed specifically with a company’s branding, size, and features.
What most people think of when they say, “Mylar bags,” are laminated barrier pouches that are created out of high performance/high density polyester/stretched polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film (Mylar) that are conformed into different shapes and sizes, and laminated to an Al foil layer and a substrate material (typically polyethylene). The combination of the 3 layers create a barrier for moisture, oxygen, light, and odor.
When you hear about Mylar bags, this typically references the laminated barrier pouches, and not just purely the Mylar films.
Printable Mylar bags are laminated barrier pouches that are manufactured with additional features that can include:
- Company logos and designs that are printed on the bags
- Custom shapes and sizes
- Custom/Special finishes
- Custom product closure designs
- Custom color, letter/symbol, and typeface for the brand on bags
By utilizing printed Mylar bags, companies do not only have a product storage container, but also a way to market themselves.
Why Businesses Utilize Customized Mylar Bags
The function of packaging is more than just containing a product. It can provide companies with a better way to show as well as protect their products, and influence their customer.
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Superior Product Protection
The multiple lamination (3-layer) construction of Mylar bags provides a strong moisture, oxygen, light, and odor barrier that prolongs the shelf life of a product, and extends the time that a product will stay fresh by limiting oxygen and moisture transfer/availability.
Ideal for items that decompose when they come in contact with oxygen or moisture.
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Lightweight but Durable
Compared to glass jars, or metal tinned containers, a Mylar bag would be very lightweight in shipping, and comparatively, shipping would be less because of the weight. Despite the lightweight Mylar bag, it is very durable and has a good resistance against puncture and tear and will not damage products in shipping.
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Resealable Functionality
Most stand-up Mylar bags have a resealable zipper feature, so consumers can open the bag as many times as they would like, and continue to create a good user-experience.
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Amazing Shelf Presence
The flat printing surfaces of Mylar bags provide for a very high quality printed graphic and provide the ability to create high reflective metallic finishes and branding. A well-designed stand-up Mylar pouch will get a consumer’s attention faster than a regular package in a crowded retail environment.
For businesses that are looking to create a brand identity within the marketplace, the Mylar bag itself is like a small billboard.
Variations of Mylar Custom Bags
Manufacturers produce a variety of bags in order to accommodate the specifications
required by each product category.
1. Doypack (Stand up Pouch)
The doypack pouch is designed with a bottom gusset so that it sits upright on a shelf. The doypack is one of the most commonly used pouch styles because it is visually appealing and maximizes usable space for branding.
Doypacks are commonly used to package snacks, coffee, animal food, and supplements.
2. Flat Pouches
Flat pouches do not have a bottom gusset and are typically sealed on three sides. Flat pouches are small and are suitable for single-use and/or samples.
Flat pouches are commonly used for small portions of food, powders, or trial sizes.
3. Specialty and Child-Resistant Bags
Certain industries require specialty pouches with safety features such as a locking zipper or opaque material. Specialty pouches are able to have a visually aesthetic look while still allowing for the implementation of these mechanisms.
Mylar Custom Bag Customization & How Brands Are Identified
One of the key reasons that Mylar custom bags are widely used in modern packaging is due to the large number of customisation options available to business owners.
There are virtually no limits to the degree of customization business owners can make to their custom bags, as follows:
Finishes:
-Matte to give a more premium look
-Gloss to show brighter colours
-Soft touch
-Holographic/metallic
Structural Features:
-Notches to assist in opening the bag
-Holes so that retailers can hang the pouches for display
-Clear windows so the contents can be viewed
-Rounded corners for aesthetics
Functional Additives:
-Degassing valves for coffee pouches
-Spouts for liquid pouches
-Reinforced seals for heavy contents
Both Brand Owners and Packaging Companies can have so many unique possibilities in order to match the packaging with product or marketing strategy.Mylar bags are a viable packaging alternative across several industries.
Food and Coffees – They provide an excellent barrier to help keep flavor, aroma, and freshness intact.
Cosmetics/Personal Care – Companies create something contemporary and lightweight for sale.
Retail and E-Commerce – Retailers prefer mylar bags because they protect merchandise during shipping while minimizing volume.
Limited Edition/Specialty Gift/Giveaway – Custom pouches are an ideal choice for products requiring a unique design, or low production quantities.
Mylar Bags as Marketing Tools
The process of consumer decision-making is increasingly short. Packaging will often be the only factor determining whether or not the consumer chooses to pick up or leave an item on the shelf.
A well-designed pouch should communicate the following aspects of the brand:
– Brand identity
– Product quality
– Target market
– Price positioning
Overall, the package of a product tells a story before the product is ever opened.
For start-up companies, design will provide the best opportunity to stand out in a competitive market.
Eco-Friendly Aspects
As more manufacturers focus on sustainability, they are also working towards producing barrier bags that are recyclable and/or use less material in the production process. Traditional multi-layer films are often not recyclable. Manufacturers are continuously making strides toward improving the environmental impacts of their products.
Companies want to find a balance between product performance and eco-friendliness.
The Future of Custom Mylar Packaging
Current trends in packaging are leading to smarter products that are interactive. Presently, we are seeing more products with custom printed packaging for small runs and/or using QR codes as part of the design, as well as limited editions and personalized packaging targeted to niche markets.
The continued growth and demand for e-commerce and boutique organizations will further increase the need for flexible packaging that offers both protection and strong visual identity.
In Summary
Once a simple form of packaging, customized mylar bags are now powerful marketing tools that offer preservation, convenience, and brand storytelling. Their capability of protecting products while showcasing high-quality graphics in an efficient manner make them one of the most versatile forms of packaging today.
Companies who introduce new products or update their packaging will find it difficult to match the functional and visual benefits of custom mylar pouches.
Learn more about customized mylar bags here: https://www.brandmydispo.com/collections/custommylarbags
FAQ for Personalized Mylar Bags
Is it possible to print my logo and artwork on the bag?
Yes, you can custom print your logo, graphics, product information and brand elements on the entire bag.
Will custom Mylar pouches keep products fresh?
Yes, custom Mylar bags are made of a laminated barrier material that blocks moisture, light, air and odors, thus prolonging the shelf life of the product and preserving its quality.
Will I be able to find a resealable option for my custom printed Mylar bag?
Most custom Mylar bags will have a resealable zipper closure allowing for opening and resealing multiple times before disposal.
What types of finishes are there to choose from?
Common finish options on custom Mylar bags include glossy, matte, soft touch, metallic, and holographic finishes.
Are there small order quantities for personalized Mylar bags?
Most suppliers have low minimums for start up companies and bulk prices for larger runs of custom Mylar bags.
Are customized Mylar bags food safe?
When appropriate food grade inks and materials are used, custom Mylar bags are safe for foods that will be in direct contact with them.
How long does it take to produce a printed Mylar pouch?
The amount of time required to produce a custom Mylar bag is a function of both the size of the order as well as how much customization has been done to the order. Typically time frames for production vary from a few weeks to more than one month.
Can the Mylar bags be heat sealed?
Custom Mylar bags can be heat sealed, in addition to the zipper, for additional tamper evidence and to create a longer shelf-life for the products.
Saman Zahra