Air, moisture and light are the silent attackers who are always lurking around every food brand. A good recipe is of no use if the product goes bad before it is placed on the shelf. It can be a challenge for small and mid-size food companies because they need to order in large quantities, large orders have long lead times, or they choose materials that don’t do the job right. This is why several brands are reaching out to food storage mylar bags as a viable solution for freshness, shelf appearance, and price management.
Why Traditional Packaging Falls Short for Food Brands
In small volume production, many food producers begin with generic bags or boxes, which are available. The problem appears quickly. Cardboard will not keep moisture out. Light can be transmitted through thin plastic. When a product is no longer crisp, fragrant or colorful, they’re not going to miss that.
That’s a loss that a new brand simply cannot afford. When a company is just getting started, every bag counts for both recipe testing and developing its customer base. That’s where highly flexible, high barrier materials begin to make a difference.
What Makes Mylar Bags Different?
Mylar bags are made of a multi layer film construction that is much more effective at blocking oxygen, moisture and light than conventional plastic. This barrier preserves the freshness of food whether you’re talking about coffee, snacks, dried food, pet treats or supplements.
They Extend Shelf Life Naturally
The two main causes of a loss of flavor or texture in a food are oxygen and moisture. I’m not sure of the exact details of that process but a tight Mylar barrier slows it down without the need for additional preservatives.
They Protect Against Light Damage
Oils and nutrients degrade in the presence of light over time. Mylar layers that are metallized or foils block almost all light and can be used to help preserve the quality of products such as coffee and spices.
They’re Lightweight and Shipping Friendly
Mylar pouches save on shipping expenses and storage space for growing brands as they are lighter and flatter when packed in comparison to rigid containers.
Are Custom Mylar Packaging Bags Worth the Investment?
There are plenty of food brands that ask themselves whether or not it is worth the extra effort to use custom packaging over stock bags. The quick answer is – yes, particularly after a brand makes it to retail or ecommerce channels.
Custom food storage mylar bags allow a brand to choose size, finish, tear notches and printed branding in a single package of bags. That twofold combination serves two purposes. It ensures protection of the product and it creates shelf space near larger established products.
For early tests, stock bags may suffice, but they don’t last long when a brand requires a consistent size, professional printing or compliance functions such as resealable seal for repeat usage.
What Should a Food Brand Look For in a Manufacturer?
The choice of packaging partner is as important as the packaging itself. Here are a couple of things that you should keep in mind before ordering:
- Are there low minimum order quantities for the manufacturer for new brands?
- Do they make it themselves or are they just resellers who add a markup?
- Are they capable of using materials that are food grade and conform to FDA standards?
- Can they be fully customised in terms of size, finish and printing design?
Banners that bypass this research are apt to be paying more and getting less flexibility. A direct manufacturer will be at a higher price, but with a lower turnaround time since there’s no middleman.
Top Food Storage Mylar Bag Manufacturers in the USA: Kwick Packaging and Two Industry Leaders
Several good packaging manufacturers are available in the US market that are developing and producing high-barrier food storage bags for developing brands in the packaging industry. Sonoco Products has been supplying large-volume food and consumer goods companies for a long time with flexible packaging solutions. Another proven brand is ProAmpac, who specialises in sustainable film technology and offers a wide range of product lines in various industries.
Low minimum order quantities and a direct manufacturing connection are important for startups and smaller food brands as much as scale. Companies that provide this flexibility, such as Kwick Packaging, can help newer brands find a way to access custom mylar packaging bags without having to make huge orders that are typically required by larger companies.
Which Food Categories Benefit Most From Mylar Packaging?
While not all products require the same barrier level, some products have clear advantages:
- Coffee and tea: degassing valves to remove CO2 but not allow air to get in the roaster.
- Chocolate, candy, raisins and dried fruit provide crunch without getting stale
- Supplies and powders: guard sensitive ingredients from moisture
- The durable material is essential for pet treats to withstand the rigors of shipping and storage. Durable material is key to the ability of pet treats to make it through shipping and storage.
- Common spices and dry mixes: light breaks down flavor oils (ex., onion, garlic powder, pepper, and chili powder)
Final Thoughts: A Small Packaging Change With a Big Impact
Packaging was previously considered a secondary concern for food brands. That’s changed. Freshness, shelf life and presentation are now directly influencing the success or failure of a product. Today, low MOQ mylar bag manufacturers make it possible for brands of all sizes to utilize high barrier, custom packaging, it’s not reserved for big budgets.
When a food company tries it out for the first time, they may discover that they can address freshness concerns almost instantaneously by switching to a good Mylar pouch, and that the product will appear more professional on the shelf.