Thermoforming is a very simple, but important process in packaging. It is the process in which heat is applied to plastic material to create a specific shape in a mold. The process is common in most packaging you see, and can even play a large role in a company’s branding. For example, look at companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, or Mrs. Butterwoth’s, you can easily identify these products solely on their plastic packaging. If your company is looking to stand out, here are some things to consider when choosing thermoformed plastics.
Categories of Thermoformed Plastics
There are two general thermoforming process categories the packaging design may use. If the plastic sheet thickness is less than 1.5 mm, the material will usually come in rolls that will be fed into automation machinery. If the sheets are thicker than 3 mm, they will usually be fed into the thermoforming machine by hand.
Heavy-gauge forming follows a similar process as the thin-gauge. All thermoforming practices involve a stretching process to ensure the plastic sheet reduces its original thickness. This is controlled by several variables, including extrusion speed, temperature, and direction.
Thermoformed Plastics Can Take Any Shape
It takes many hours to come up with a design that fits the needs of your product, not to mention creating something visually appealing. As packaging professionals, it is our job to bring these concepts to reality, and thermoformed plastics are a great way to achieve this. Thermoforming can create sharp, crisp details with formed textures and logos to make the brand stick out on the shelf.
Match Your Color with Thermoformed Plastics
Another important aspect of plastic packaging design is getting the right color down. With this type of plastic processing, the color is integrated into the sheet before it is thermoformed. However, it’s important to note that not every material can be dyed to match your brand’s colors. This means extra time and production will go into painting the package after the plastic is molded into the required shape.
Enhance Your Brand Packaging With Pioneer Packaging
Thermoforming is one of the most common types of packaging processes around, and at Pioneer Packaging, we have the materials and expertise to do it. With over 35 years of experience, we’ve partnered with a variety of industry leaders to push their branding forward with our innovative packaging designs. Contact us today to learn what we can do for you.