About Packaging

Although there are many forms of packaging, most forms fall into either "display" or "protective" type packaging.

Display packaging is designed to work in a retail environment. The package must allow the product to be displayed while also providing visual information as to what it is, how it works and why the customer should buy it.

Quite often the "display" package also performs the function of a "protective" package.

This quality keeps the contents of the package in tact and helps eliminate tampering and pilfering of the package content. The main function of "protective" packaging is to allow a product to be moved or transported without the contents being damaged or lost. In addition, the "protective package” may offer additional protective qualities such as protection from dust or moisture.

Most "display" packaging is of the "carded" type. This means the product is attached to a printed card. The most common display types of "carded" packaging would be either "skin packaging" or "blister packaging".

The "skin packaging" process involves using vacuum to draw down a heated, clear plastic film around a product (like a covering of clear skin) with the film adhering to the printed card (skin card). (See Skin Packaging Video 420 T).

The "blister packaging" process involves a pre-formed, clear plastic shell (Blister) that the product is put in. A printed card (blister card) is then sealed to the blister by applying heat and pressure to the card and blister in a blister sealing machine (See blister sealing machinery).

Of the two formats, skin packaging is the most versatile. The skin packaging process allows the film to conform to almost any shape or configuration. Using a skin packaging machine with standard film and skin cards, a virtually endless amount of shapes configurations or assortments of product can be packaged. Of course, there are limitations as to the overall size of a product.

Although not as versatile as "skin packaging" , "blister packaging" offers benefits not found in skin packaging.

Unlike “skin packaging” the blister does not wrap tightly around the product. This allows small or delicate products like fish hooks or springs to be more easily removed from the package. Also, some industries such as cosmetics, seem to prefer the "blister packaging" format.

The down side of “blister packaging” is that products of different sizes and shapes (longer, wider, taller, etc) may need different blisters. This of course means additional inventory and tooling.

About Packaging Terminology

The terms "Skin Packaging" and "Blister Sealing" refer to very specific forms of packaging. 

Quite often terms for other forms of packaging are used to refer to "skin packaging" and "blister packaging".

Examples of these terms are "shrink packaging", "shrink wrap" , "shrink pack",  "stretch pack", stretch wrapping", "vacuum packaging", "vacuum pack", "vacuum sealing", "bubble wrap", "bubble pack", "clam shell", "blister box", and "clam pack" 

Contact your HANNAN® representative for the best packaging process to match your product.