Blister Packaging & Skin Packaging
Packaging industry can be challenging and frustrating, especially if you are a beginner and don’t know many terms. For the same reason, the terms like blister packaging and skin packaging are overwhelming the new entrants, and if you are going through the same, you aren’t alone. For instance, if you have hired a purchasing agent, they might ask you to select the desired packaging material, or you could be a small business owner who is trying to find the perfect packaging for your products.
It doesn’t matter why you are pondering about these packaging terms, it’s crucial to select the right packaging for the products, and we will share everything in this article. To illustrate, skin packaging and blister packaging has various similarities when it comes down to coating, aesthetics, appearance, and materials. Sure, both of them are great for pharmaceutical packaging purposes, but their best applications are quite different. That’s to say because skin packaging is used for packing smoked salmon fillets.
On the other hand, blister packaging is perfect for packing the fishing lures that will provide assistance in catching the fish. Truth be told, industrial packaging has been designing, manufacturing, and distributing skin packaging and blister packaging for decades, but it gets challenging to find the right type of packaging solutions. With this article, we are sharing everything you need to know about these packaging solutions and which is sufficient for your business. So, are you ready?
Blister Packaging – What Is It?
The blister packaging is one form of carded packaging that can be utilized to pack an array of consumer products. They are made with various components, such as thermoformed plastic blisters and a blister board (the first one is actually an advanced form of plastic packaging). When it comes down to blister board, it’s sort of a paperboard backing that’s utilized to cut into various rectangular sheets. Honestly, there are multiple types of blister packaging available.
In addition, the blister packaging can be printed with graphical designs and branding elements to show off the product features, prices, and costs. Also, there are cases when blister packs could have plastic-made backers or aluminium films, depending on the primary source of packs. On the contrary, the blister board that’s commonly termed as blister card, is widely used for backer purposes. If you are concerned about the blister, it’s a predesigned container made with plastic material and looks exactly as a blister.
When the packaging product has a blister pack, the products will be kept in the proper place and rests between the plastic blister and bister board-made backer. As far as the uses of blister packs are concerned, they can be used for packaging drugs, fishing lures, hardware elements, toys, candy, toothbrushes, and various other products.
Skin Packaging – What Is It?
The skin packaging is commonly known as skin packs, and it’s another form of carded packaging. It is widely puzzled with blister packaging. The skin packaging is designed with the help of packaging machines. Sure, the appearance of skin packaging and blister packaging is quite the same, but there applications are extremely different. The primary components of the skin packaging are similar, such as a plastic covering known as skin film and a board.
However, the most important difference between these two types of packaging is that when the product is packed between the backer and film, it is sealed, resulting in vacuum skin packaging (if you are concerned about sealing, a vacuum sealing machine is utilized). The products can be shipped as it is or can be cut in customized shapes through a die-cutting machine. The machines ensure that unnecessary material is removed from the ultimate product, promising an attractive and smooth appearance.
When different packaging processes are done, the final product will be contained in a pack, and a surlyn film is utilized to create an even texture. As far as the application is concerned, skin packaging is suitable for packaging hardware, smaller consumer products, car components, different types of meat, and fish.
The Primary Difference Between Blister Packaging & Skin Packaging
When it comes down to skin packaging, it includes an extremely thin and smooth surlyn film which is shrunk all around the product. In addition, it is sealed with a vacuum to the backing board. On the other hand, the blister packaging is designed with hard plastic that contains the products, but it is hardly vacuum sealed with the board (yes, the backing board).
Choosing Between Blister Packaging & Skin Packaging – What Is The Best Choice?
In case you want skin packaging, it is essential to invest in a vacuum sealer as well as a diet cutter. Even if you cannot have a die cutter, you need certain equipment to separate the products from the basic sheet. On the contrary, with blister packaging, you just need a sealer. So, if you are considering between these two packaging options, you need to focus on various factors to select the most suitable packaging according to the product. In the section below, we are sharing some questions, and when you answer them, you will be able to reach a decision;
- Is your product designed with pointed edges or sharp corners? If it’s a yes, skin packaging won’t be a suitable choice
- Is your product a food item that can go bad? If yes, it’s suggested to use skin packaging
- How much money can you invest? When it comes down to skin packaging, you need extra investment to purchase a skin machine and vacuum sealer. On the other hand, blister packaging doesn’t demand extra equipment, so the latter is easy on the pocket
- What is your preference for speed to market? If it is important, the right choice is blister packaging because you can simply skip the vacuum sealing
To summarize, skin packaging and blister packaging are new packaging forms, and the application is still building on. At this point, it’s evident that skin packaging is more suitable for premium products, such as expensive fish, and needs more investment. On the contrary, blister packaging is economical but isn’t smooth enough.
