Process of converting 3D models into 2D images on a computer. 
 

A is for ALP Environmental Sustainability Team.

Multilayer system to provide protection against moisture, UV rays, odour, etc.

Using computer technology to draw or design anything.  We require a CAD drawing of your bottle to prepare distortion properly for your shrink sleeve.

A zipper that provides resistance for children, but easy access for the intended consumer. This zipper is designed to keep children safe from harmful products. Currently used with Cannabis packaging applications.

Adhesive applied without heat and only slight pressure to form a strong seal bond. Used for heat-sensitive products.

A template (or blueprint) that provides size, scale, eye marks, and the placement of images, logos, and text.  

Method of printing where presses deposit toner or "electro inks" onto the material (substrate). Ink does not permeate the substrate, but instead, it forms a thin layer on the surface using a heat process.

While the final product of a shrink sleeve is 3D, the artwork is printed in 2D so distortion management technology is needed to ensure the graphics display as intended. Using the artwork and 3D rendering, prepress can predict the level of expected shrink and distort the image accordingly.

Some pouching equipment (including ours!) has the ability to trim off the edges of a converted pouch in order to give the appearance that art is printed perfectly rights to the edge - no plate gaps and any movement on the pouching equipment is masked.

This is the most common style of stand-up pouch, and the front, gusset, and back are continuous. The Doyen Style Gusset pouch has seals on both sides and around the bottom gusset and is a great choice for products that weigh one pound or less. 

Film manufactured to peel easily to reveal a product.  Typically used for single-serve or one-time use applications.

Provides easy-to-tear function, which controls the size of the package opening.  When using Easy Tear material, sometimes a tear notch is not needed

This document shows the printer exactly how to set up the size, eye marks and orientation of a lidding film project, based on the lidding film application equipment.  Usually supplied directly from the application equipment supplier.

Where both interior edges of the film are sealed together and then the fin is folded over. Also known as “fold-over seam”, flow wrapping or vertical pouch packaging. 

Non-rigid packaging whose shape can be readily changed. Examples of flexible packaging are bags or pouches, stand-up pouches, lidding film, bar wrappers, stick packs, and sachets. 

Method of printing that uses flexible printing plates made of rubber or plastic. Each plate is coated with fast-drying ink and rotates on a cylinder, and the material passes between the print plate and impression roller.

Film roll stock used for packaging. 

A grid is typically printed as part of the test process with shrink sleeves in order to determine proper distortion of the artwork, when software isn’t available, or a CAD drawing is unavailable, to work with the bottle during the shrink application.

Adhesive applied with heat and pressure to form a strong seal bond. 
 

Artwork will be shrunk significantly and highly distorted. 

I is for IFS: The Details.

J is for Just-in-Time Printing, which can be achieved with our HP 20K!

K is for King Kong, which is what we call our W&H press!

Where the exterior of the film is sealed onto the interior of the film. Also known as “overlap seam.”

By running the lasers with 0.01mm spacing between pulses, the result is what looks like a solid line. However, this scores a line on one of the several material substrates, which creates a straight tear when pulled open. The laser scoring creates easy-open packaging while maintaining barrier properties.

Artwork will not be shrunk little but still slightly distorted. 

A series of hole added to a film structure. This allows the contained product to breathe, extends shelf life, and can withstand more handling than micro perforation.

A single or series of extremely small holes added to a film structure. This allows the contained product to breathe and, in the case of food products, can extend shelf life. 

Stick packs printed side-by-side in order to convert to multilane packaging machines. 

N is for North America, which is where we're located and where we source all of our materials!

The rate at which oxygen gas can permeate through a film (OTR). 

A lidding film system that allows a package to be peeled back to reveal a product, and then resealed to preserve the product for use at a later time. 

The front, gusset, and back are continuous, so there is no seal at the gusset. A Plough-Bottom stand up pouch can hold more weight than the Doyen pouch and the K Skirt Style pouch and is commonly used for products weighing more than one pound. This style of pouch is a great choice for granular products, like salt or sugar, that weigh five pounds and up. A Plough Style Gusset pouch can also be referred to as Plough-Bottom pouch, Corner Seal stand up pouch, and W Fold style pouch.

A zipper developed to prevent powdery and particulate products that get caught and clogged in the flexible package seal and allow a secure reseal.

Q is for Quote... which you can request for free here or find out more about here!

Refers to the way your labels are oriented as you unwind your roll of labels or film. Also known as Unwind Direction.

S is for Smart Packaging.

Small slit in the end seal that allows consumers to easily tear the film in order to gain access to the product.

U is for Update – check out our latest IFS update here!

Packaging designed for vertical form fill seal packaging machines. Typically incorporates longitudinal fin seals at the back of the product with two further seals as the ends of the package. 

The rate at which water vapour (or moisture) permeates through a film (WTVR). Also known as Moisture Vapour Transfer Rate (MVTR). 

Direction the material is flowing through on the machine.

X is for Extended Content Labels (kind of!)

Y is for Your Brand.

Z is for Zippers – check out our post on Child-Resistant Zippers!