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What are Mylar Bags Made of?

date read icon February 12, 2025
Durable packaging bags

Mylar bags are predominantly made for the perseverance of freshness for items like food, medicines and perishable items. The actual essence of mylar is that it is made of plastic, also referred to as Polyethylene Terephthalate(PET).  PET is used to make some water bottles and making some of the food containers as well. When PET is stretched thin, it becomes strong and flexible. These are utilized as a superior method of storing food and medicine right away.

Mylar bags begin as PET sheets of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The sheets of plastic are then coated in aluminum. Aluminum gives mylar bags their silvery shine.  Are you looking for a mylar bag? And What are Mylar Bags Made of? Here is an overview: Mylar bags are made of a polyester film, often with a layer of aluminum, to keep your stored items fresh and protected. The shiny appearance also makes them an attractive option for packaging. The aluminum also improves its ability to block air, moisture, and light. The article demystifies the tactfully, letting you know the exact mylar composition.

Custom mylar bags not only look professional, but they also conceal the smell of the contents and extend the shelf-life of the product. These bags are best usable for storing food items at home or selling them commercially, such as rice and grains. The question will definitely pique your interest in knowing what material these are made from. What are the materials used to make mylar bags? Mylar bags have an aluminum outer layer. This layer keeps food safe from oxygen, water, and light. This layer is what makes bags function. Aluminum is lightweight and has been with the bauxite layer and adds little to the thickness of bags.


Why Mylar Packaging Matters?

Mylar is great for food storage because it is light, flexible, and strong. It keeps out oxygen, moisture, and light, which can ruin food. It also blocks smells and can come with ziplock packaging.

Mylar bags are good for storing food. When choosing bags, think about size and thickness. Size depends on what you need. Thickness is important. Thin bags can get holes and tears. Mylar bag thickness is measured in mils. One mil is one-thousandth of an inch. Three million bags are common. You can also find thicker bags, like five or seven mils. Bags come in different sizes, like one quart, one gallon, and five gallon.

Some Mylar is vapor metalized (VMPET). This makes it even better at blocking gases and light. It also has a layer of polyethylene for better sealing and strength. Metallized Mylar blocks much more oxygen and water vapor than regular Mylar.

Here are the Key features, applications, and benefits of mylar packaging

Feature

Description

Benefits

Applications

Material Composition

Metalized polyester film (BoPET) with a metal coating (usually aluminum).

Excellent strength and durability.

Preserving food, medications, and cosmetics.

Barrier Properties

Moisture, light, and oxygen barrier.

Extends shelf life and maintains product integrity.

Protecting medications, cosmetic products, and food items.

Strength & Durability

Tear-resistant and able to withstand physical stress.

Suitable for long-term storage.

Long-term storage of medicinal, cosmetic, and food items.

Temperature & Chemical Resistance

Resistant to extreme temperatures and chemical reactions.

Protects contents from degradation.

Storing temperature-sensitive products like medications and cosmetics.

Food Storage

Protects against moisture and air.

Maintains food quality for extended periods.

Food preservation (e.g., grains, dried fruits, freeze-dried foods).

Medicinal Storage

Protects from moisture, air, and light.

Preserves medication efficacy.

Storing pills, herbal remedies, and prescriptions.

Cosmetic Storage

Protects from oxidation, moisture, and contamination.

Preserve skincare products and beauty items.

Preserving creams, lotions, and powders.

Space Industry Use

Reflective properties and insulating capability.

Thermal insulation and radiation reflection.

Space blankets, space insulation.

Other Uses

Reflective and durable.

Visually appealing and long-lasting.

Banners, flags, and outdoor promotional materials.


Why are Mylar Bags So Strong?



Mylars are prepared with plastic coating with aluminium giving it a pristine outlook. The bags are tough, and they won't break under extreme stress. Mylar bags are durable because the added aluminum provides extra protection. Mylar bags are available in standard and custom sizes. Some bags are used as snacks. You can also choose from a range of different sizes. The size you choose depends on the items that will be stored. There are several ways to get appropriate packaging for mylar bags.

We ensure that our custom-printed bags have a high-tensile strength and are resistant to punctures. If you are concerned, what are mylar bags used for? These can be used for storing food supplies for a longer duration of time, and interestingly, you can store them for emergency conditions as well.

Mylar Bags Printing Made Easy



On-demand printing is also free for the consumer and allows them to print individual designs. The capital needed or cost to print is lower with digitally printed labels than traditional printing methods. Mylar comes in a variety of types. There are different types of Mylar bags. Some are thicker and, therefore, better for storage over a long period. Some bags tend to be quite thicker and are proven to be the best option for long-term storage. Others need to be sealed using a heat-sealing machine.  

Some bags are designed with zippers for ease of opening. Mylar bags have a design that makes them airtight. Bags are sealed with heat and have an aluminum coating that blocks out air. If the bag is sealed correctly, air cannot get into or out. It keeps the food for longer. Mylar foil packaging doesn't require perishable products to be refrigerated. 

What Makes Mylar Metallic Outlook?



Mylar is a plastic film with a metallic coating that looks like "foil."
Mylar, as mentioned above, is plastic and is not colorized in its original form.
The extruded film is applied to a chilled surface such as the roller. 

Plastic (polyethylene Terephthalate a thorough procedure results in producing the Mylar films. A chemical reaction called vapor deposition is then used to deposit aluminum on the Mylar surface, coating it uniformly and permanently.

Why Use Mylar bags?

It is integral to seal mylar bags in the right order. Resultantly, these can protect food from contamination, light degradation and moisture. These bags create a barrier that prevents oxygen from entering the bag. 

These mylars are quite known for product life extending properties. These can be sealed to keep out odors and maintain the quality of their contents (dryness, crispness and freshness). It can keep the quality of your items intact. 

What are the benefits of using Mylar bags for food storage?



Mylar bags protect food from light, air and moisture. These three main factors cause food spoilage. Mylar bags will keep your food fresher for longer by preventing these things from entering. It is a key point to note that mylar bags made in the USA are of the most pristine quality.

You can reuse some Mylar bags depending on how you use them. You can reuse a Mylar bag if you clean and re-use it after opening it carefully. This only works when the bag is not damaged. Some bags used to store items for a long time may not be reusable due to their tight seal.

Are Mylars Reusable?

The aluminum coating on PET plastic is a big obstacle in mylar recycling. If stored correctly, mylar bags will last for a very long time. They can last up to 25 years if they're stored in a dry, cool place. The actual life expectancy depends on both the type of bag used and how it is stored.

Mylar bags can be classified as the best for long-term storage of many things. They are used for foods like pasta, rice, dried fruit, and beans. Also, they store important documents, medicine and seeds. Mylar bags are best suited to cater and store emergency supplies as well because they are durable and keep the items protected for long periods of time. If your concern is are mylar bags recyclable? Then you will hardly find the recycling machines near you as it's quite tough to get the recycling happens.

Coatings on Mylar Bags

We also have aqueous lamination,  UV finishing, wax, and corn-starch-based coatings. These finishes will give your packaging a shiny look and increase its resistance to moisture and scratches. Choose from our variety of environmentally-friendly finishes for mylar packaging and boost your brand's sale.

Material Mylar Is Made of?



When you are looking for the fact what is mylar material? Here, all of the nitty-gritty of the Biaxially oriented pet is also termed PET (BoPET) or mylar; the film goes through heating to become crystallized in this form. The thorough process further involves preventing its shrinking. With the molecular orientation mylar bags have high strength against temperature offering excellence in transparency.  The boPET film is then metalized with vapor deposition, metallic film layers such as aluminum and is applied to the film to form a foil-like metallic look layer.

Aluminum foil is a quite thin metal sheet best suited for packaging products. When it comes to hot sealing, aluminum foil is not something that can be sealed thoroughly. For instance, it needs capabilities like compounding with other materials like PE, bringing more pristine and better insulation. 

Materials Intended For Vacuuming

Some customers come up with their own preferences when packing up the food using a mylar bag. You have to ensure that you remove all the air first with oxygen absorbers so that stored items shelf life gets an extension.  For an intention of vacuum processing, it is first-rate to get the nylon inner side when the production takes place. 
Moreover, you will be able to add nylon, which can contribute in regards to toughness for stretch extending force of the bag. Most specifically, if your food has sharp ends, by inculcating this, you will save it from piercing the packaging. So, before you begin starting the customization journey, you have to explain to the manufacturer the features you require.

What Purpose Mylar Bags Serve?

Mylar, also called BoPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate), tends to be a stronger, flexible, yet quite thin material. It looks metallic and is used for many things. Think food storage, medicine packaging, and even marathon blankets.

Mylar FAQs

Q: Is Mylar just another name for polyester?

Although these are related, it could not be named as polyester has several other applications. Mylar is a specific type of polyester film, more technically known as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). The name "Mylar" originated as a brand name (DuPont Teijin Films), but it's now widely used to refer to this particular kind of polyester film. So, while all Mylar is polyester, not all polyester is Mylar.

Q: What gives Mylar bags their protective powers?

A: Mylar bags are engineered for serious protection. Mylars are known to be a strengthened barrier against the elements that might be ruining the freshness. With oxygen. From oxygen to moisture, both enemies of freshness and unwelcoming pests and light degradation. Mylar is a fill that keeps the odor away and makes them a suitable option for long-term preservation and storage. 

Q:Why are Mylar bags a Significant Option for long-term food storage?

Mylar bags provide a superior barrier against oxygen, moisture, and light – the primary culprits of food spoilage. This protection significantly extends the shelf life of your stored food, often for years. They also help prevent pest infestation and odor absorption.

Q: What type of Mylar bag is best for long-term storage?

For optimal long-term storage, choose metalized Mylar bags (often labeled as VMPET or aluminized Mylar). These offer the best oxygen and moisture barrier. Thickness is also important; 5 mil or 7 mil bags provide greater durability and protection than thinner options.

Q: What foods are suitable for long-term storage in Mylar bags?

Dry goods are ideal: grains (rice, wheat, corn), legumes (beans, lentils), dried fruits/vegetables, nuts, seeds, and powdered goods (flour, sugar, spices). Ensure foods are thoroughly dry before sealing.

To Conclude

Reach out to Print247 for exceptional packaging that stands out and helps you soar leaps and bounds. Our professional packaging team is focused on making your mylar printing project easy and providing you with exceptional quality mylar bags. Our custom mylar bags are best matched to safeguard your food and pharmaceutical items with ultimate protection against environmental barriers. Feel free to call and talk to exclusive packaging designers who can aptly help you with the packaging designs.

Author: Bill ‘Hogg’ Ryan
AUTHOR

Bill ‘Hogg’ Ryan

Bill is a Houston-based packaging writer with 6 years in the industry. His hands-on career began with printing machines; he has built profound expertise in custom packaging solutions across multiple sectors, including cosmetics, food, and retail. A recognized industry contributor in the State. Bill now shares insights through writing, focusing on packaging trends and innovations. In his leisure time, he can be seen riding his favorite Stallion, ‘Tex,’ or jamming to country music.