What are Mylar Bags? Uses and Benefits
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What are Mylar Bags? What are their Uses?

date read icon January 28, 2025

Mylar has a much higher strength than many other types of packaging, including vacuum seal bags. It is, therefore, more suitable for storage over a long period of time, particularly if the conditions are not ideal. What are mylar bags? Mylars are a simple plastic that has three layers: aluminum foil and polyester at the outer layer. It also has several characteristics, like a metallic sheen made with a metalized layer basically applied during manufacturing.  

Their competitors vacuum bags can be a handy option, but because they are clear you need to use an mylars opaque bag or something similar in order to keep foods from being exposed to sunlight. It is prevalent that these bags can comprise your product and keep it intact in its original form. 

Material Used To Form Mylars



Custom mylar bags are a great alternative for people who don't want to use plastic bags. Here, we explain what mylar bags are made of. The polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a film, is stretched into a grid shape with lowered thickness. The film is crystallized into this shape as biaxially oriented PET (boPET) or Mylar. This prevents it from shrinking to its original state. It is due to the molecular alignment.

What are the Benefits of Mylar?



Mylar is the best choice when it comes to long-term storage of food due to its unique properties. These include high tensile strength and temperature resistance. It also offers chemical stability as well as protection from gases, odors and light.

The aluminum coating in the Mylar bag, or foil pouch, is why so many foods are stored in these bags. With food storage mylar bags, you will be able to increase the lifespan of your food items.

Reusable Mylar Bags

Mylar bags are reusable, making them ideal for long-term use and cost savings. Mylar bags can be easily resized and cut into smaller pieces. Have you been looking for answers to the question? Are mylar bags recyclable? Well, these cannot be, but reusing effectively is an option. To get the best out of your Mylar, clean them thoroughly after each use and always seal the top so that you do not have to remove more when you are ready to reuse. Mylar packaging is something that can be trusted for storing your goods.

Vacuum Seal Bags Vs. Mylar bags?

Vacuum seal bags do not work well in long-term extreme storage. If you plan to keep food in storage for longer than one year, Mylar bags will be the best option as these have established prevalence as the doable option. You can adopt mylar bags for food storage and persevere for more than two decades.

Over time, vacuum seal bags can leak and allow air in. Mylar bags, on the other hand, are less likely to leak and opaque, so they block light more effectively. If you are concerned, how long does food last in mylar bags? This can typically vary from 5 years to the longest of 25 years. Use Mylar bags to line a 5- or 6-gallon plastic "food-grade" bucket. This will provide additional protection and security (especially if rats are a concern) as well as make handling easier.

Stand-Up Mylar Pouches and Bags



The standard button pocket is very similar to the standing Mylar. Both bags have a similar process for working and using. These bags are almost identical except for the bag's shape. Stand up mylar bag has unlimited applications, unlike bottom square bags. The base of the bag can take any form, such as round, rectangular, square or oval. The mylar pouch dimensions below showcases what are mylar bags and what they are ideal for!

Size

Dimensions

Thickness

Features

Small

6" x 8" x 4.5"

7.5 mil

Extremely Low OTR - Thick Laminate Foil - Stand-Up Pouch - Ideal for smaller quantities - May be more affordable

Large

6.5" x 9.5" x 4.5"

7.5 mil

Extremely Low OTR - Thick Laminate Foil - Stand-Up Pouch - Suitable for larger volumes - May offer better value per unit volume


Child-Resistant Lock Bags

The child-resistant mylar bag is nothing more than an upgraded version of the standard Mylar bag. The bags are usually available with zip locks, vacuum seals, and many other Mylar bag types. However, there is only one difference: the inclusion of a locking mechanism to prevent spills as well as children from accessing the contents. This new lock mechanism ensures that children cannot open Mylar bags. Mylar can also prevent odors from being detected. If you want to store minced garlic in Mylar, it will not be detectable.

Size

Dimensions

Features

Small

3.6" x 5"

Child-resistant, Tamper-evident, Airtight, Smell-proof, Customizable, Color is Customizable

Medium

4" x 6.5"

Child-resistant, Tamper-evident, Airtight, Smell-proof, Customizable, Color is Customizable

Large

12" x 9"

Child-resistant, Tamper-evident, Airtight, Smell-proof, Customizable, Color is Customizable


Mylars & Oxygen Absorbers

Mylar bags provide the most effective way to store food or other items without oxygen for a long time. You will amazed by your query: What is a mylar bag? It is addressed here, along with vacuum bags. These bags also offer the best protection against any moisture or vapors in the environment of storage, such as fuel vapors. Mylar bags can be used to line a tough container, such as a plastic bucket. This will help protect both the Mylar and your products from damage. There can be utilization of mylar vacuum bags sealed in an adaptive way to store your gross product.

Sizes

Smaller Mylar 

Small Mylar in Centimeters (WxH)

Small Mylar in Inches (WxH)

5.08x7.62

2”x3”

7.62x10.16

3”x4”

10.16x 15.24

4" x6"


Medium Mylar

Medium Mylar in Centimeters (WxH)

Medium Mylar in Inches (WxH)

12.7x17.78

5" x 7"

15.24x 20.32

6" x 8"

17.78x 22.86

7" x 9"


Sealing Mylar Wisely

Mylar bags must be sealed and oxygen drained. The first step is to seal the bag. Next, you need to let the air out. You can seal the bag with an impulse sealer. This is a machine that seals the mouth of the bag. The straight impulse sealer doesn't vacuum the air from the bag. It just seals shut. There are commercial impulse sealers with seal bars wide enough to cover the entire 20" width of the large Mylar bag. By eliminating oxygen, you can extend the shelf life of food on your counter or in your fridge.

Mylar Thickness



It is of pivotal importance that you get to note the thickness of your bag before you buy it. To measure mylar thickness, you have to hook towards what are mylar bags. You can see right through some of the thin polyester metal film. This may work for certain purposes or for short-term storage. However, the thicker bags in the range of 5.4mm may be better for heavy items that you need to store long-term. If properly stored, grains can last up to 25 years. They also weigh more than they do in the bag. You can buy smaller mylar bags if you prefer.

Storing Bulk Foods with Oxygen Absorbers in Mylar Bags

  • First, you need to organize your supplies. Mylar bags are required, as well as oxygen absorbers, and can be sealed using DIY methods such as utilizing an inexpensive hair straightening tool.
  • A jar to store the oxygen absorbers will also be needed.
  • Open the oxygen absorbers package only after you have all your bulk food ready. 

It is easier to add bulk products to the Mylar bags by pouring them into Pyrex measures. Please note that the Mylar bags are set upright in the container. You can scoop the food directly into your bag with a measuring spoon. You can also pour the bulk food straight from the original packaging into your bag if you're brave enough. The oxygen absorbers in the oatmeal jar are still hidden away.

You will want to keep a couple of inches at the top when you have filled your bag. You can then create a large seal at the top. You will want to make an assembly line with all the bags you have filled so you can then seal them at one time. After your bags have been filled, place an O2 absorber inside. Use a 300-cc O2 absorber for a 1-gallon bag. If you are using a 5-gallon or 6-gallon bag that is larger than a bucket, use 2,000 ccs. The oxygen absorber is stuffed into the center of the bag.

Large Size Mylars

Large Mylar  in Centimeters (WxH)

Large Mylar in Inches (WxH)

Approx. Volume (Gallons)

Maximum Weight (Dry Food) (kg)

40.64x50.8

"16" x "20"

"2.5-3"

"2.6"

45.72x 60.96

"18" x "24"

"3.7-5"

"3.8"

50.8x76.2

"20" x "30"

"5.1-7"

"6.3"


Extra Large Mylar Bags

Extra-large Mylar Bags in Centimeters (WxH)

Extra-large Mylar Bags in Inches (WxH)

30.48x 40.64

12”x16”

35.56x45.72

14”x18”

40.64x 50.8

16" x20"


How to Use a Vacuum Canner with Vacuum Seal Bags?

You will want to seal the bag or jar with the oxygen absorbers you no longer need using either a vacuum seal or a clamp. It is easier to place them in a glass jar. It's best to keep things simple.

Sealing Mylar Bags



Do you remember that hair straightener I recommended? Now, you will run the iron along the top of the bag. (Or bags, if I advised that an assembly line be created). You do not need to worry about air trapped in your bag. The bag will become more brick-like as the oxygen absorber works. 

If you do not have an iron, you may use a normal clothing iron if your bag is on a heatproof surface. Most people find a hair straightening tool more convenient. Use a label for both the content and date of your package. The oxygen absorbers will probably take longer to work on the oatmeal bag at the top. It is not unusual for some foods to take longer than others to compact.

What Comes Next?

After you have checked that all the bags are properly sealed, move them into your pantry for food storage. You can store your food in a basement, closet, or under the bed. Keep your food cool and as dry as you can. To protect your food from pests, place brick-like packages in a bucket with a tight lid.

For extra protection, you can use mylar bucket bags. Sealing food with Mylar and sealing it using a bucket lid that fits a 5 lb gamma will give you a very secure food stash for a very long time. Mylar, despite being tough and resistant to punctures, is not rodent-proof. Mylar bags are great for storing food, but they need to be placed in something that protects them. Plastic totes are inexpensive and work great.

Certain Foods That Don’t Fit in Mylars

Mylar bags should never be used to store any item that contains 10% moisture or more. Items with a moisture content of at least 35% can also grow botulism when in an airless environment and require pasteurization. The botulinum toxin can be destroyed by boiling for 10 minutes. If you see a bag bulging (meaning that bacteria are growing and producing toxins), don't eat it! We do have film substrates that are suitable for food with high levels of moisture. 

  • Over longer periods, milk, meat, legumes, and nuts will become rancid.
  • Mylars are  a great way to store dry goods
  • Dehydrated fruits and vegetables can be kept, but not fresh ones
Mylar bags protect against light, moisture, insects, and oxidation. This is what keeps the original flavor and aroma of the product throughout its long shelf-life. The variety of sizes allows you to pack even 1 gram to fit into a 5-gallon bucket. It can also be sealed by yourself at home using a very simple method, which we'll show you.

Mylar quality: How to determine it

Be aware of how durable the bags you use as it determines the sustenance of your packaged goods. The use of thin, frail bags can reduce the shelf-life and freshness of food. Check the thickness of your bags and their certifications when choosing them.

What Makes Our Mylars Different?



Barrier strength increases with increasing film thickness. Films are available in thicknesses ranging from 1.5 mil to 6 millimeters. We recommend a custom mylar bag thickness of a little more than 4 mils for the majority of mylar uses. We can increase the thickness to 6 or even 5 mils if the bag is large. Some dried products like potato chips are able to get away with using a thin bag film thickness Like candy bars or individual serving packaging.

To Conclude

At Print247, our aficionados are concerned with delivering first-rate servicing; from printing to packaging, we give importance to each aspect. With the diverse needs of mylars, we are proud to announce that you will be able to customize your type of mylar bag. In all of the  United States, we can provide you with these mylar bags at cost-effective pricing. You can count on us to get your desired packaging delivered to you at the fastest turnaround time.

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.