Pros and Cons of Mylar Bag Packaging
In this economy, mylar bags are everywhere. They’re the metallic bags you see in food packaging from snacks and sauces to drink pouches (think Capri Sun). Mylar is a stretched polyester film, which is durable and provides protection from sunlight and oxygen. It’s an alternative to vacuum sealing and is often used in foods/consumables as it’s able to keep the product fresh for longer. That’s why it’s a very popular packaging type for cannabis products. However, there are both pros and cons to using this type of packaging that you should consider before purchasing! Let’s start with the positives first.
ADVANTAGES
1) They’re Durable
Mylar bags are praised for their high tensile strength. You can place many kinds of foods in a mylar bag, and in high quantities, without having to worry about the bag breaking or ripping. So, it’s a good option when selling larger quantities of cannabis, or edible products.
2) They’re Impermeable
When sealed correctly, mylar keeps moisture, sunlight, gasses, and pests from entering the product. This is particularly good for cannabis users as it also locks the odor inside the bag. Its flexible nature also means that once you open the bag, you can squeeze the air back out – keeping the product fresher for longer. (P.S Mylar bags are NOT vacuumed sealed, and some oxygen will remain, if you’re going to use them you should place oxygen absorbers in the bag too!)
3) They’re Light and Flexible
If you’re planning on expanding your business and anticipate the need for a lot of packaging, mylar bags can be flattened and stacked so they don’t take up too much storage space. They’re also flexible which is convenient for both you and your customers as they can easily be stowed away.
4. They're Cost Efficient
Mylar bags are one of the most affordable packaging options on the market! So if you're on a budget, definitely consider using them for your products.
DISADVANTAGES
1) They’re plastic
Depending on your ethical and environmental stance, this might be an important point. Consumers these days are looking to by more eco-friendly products, and mylar is not sustainable. Know your customer base and consider what they’d be looking for when buying your product. However, some suppliers (like us!) provide recyclable and biodegradable options for mylar bags! Granted the price will be higher, but the planet will thank you.
3) They Need to be Heat Sealed
To be fully effective and reap the full benefits of using mylar, they need to be heat sealed. This is because they do still let in some oxygen, as they’re not vacuum sealed. Heat sealing on mylar bags can be done with an iron, but this is going to take up a lot of time if you need to seal each one.
So, there you have it!
Some pros and cons to consider when using Mylar Bags. It certainly seems to be a good option for cannabis packaging, as it will help to keep the product fresh for a long time and conceal any odor. It’s also relatively cheap, but you will need to think carefully about your target market before committing to mylar bag packaging, as well as your supply and demand. Sealing 500 bags with one iron is going to be very time-consuming and may not be the best for your business!
Get in contact with us for your cannabis packaging and custom dispensary packaging needs!
