Blister packing encases your product in a hard, clear shell made of plastic. This shell can be made of several different kinds of plastic, depending on how much protection you need from light, moisture and heat. The plastic shell gets a lid, usually made of aluminum, which is coated in a heat-activated sealant. This lid can be printed on one side, giving the transparent bubble a background.
Blister boxes are used primarily for pharmaceuticals, such as pills and tablets. A variation of blister packaging, called clamshell packaging, is often used to seal personal products, toys, and electronics. These blister packaging materials are an effective, economical way to send and store medicines and other consumer products.
1. Food products may need blister wrap packaging made from specific types of food-safe plastic, depending on where you manufacture and sell your product.
2. Blister packs can be made in many different colors, and with varying degrees of opacity. This is important when designing kid-proof packaging for medications and other hazards.
3. Clamshell packaging is usually molded to fit your product, providing a secure nest that will survive transport and rough handling.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Use clamshell packaging materials for fragile consumer goods.
A clamshell blister package prevents your product from being crushed with a durable plastic shell and plastic or cardboard backing. This shell can be made out of moisture, heat or light resistant plastic to protect sensitive things like cosmetics or food products. Most manufacturers will help you decide which plastic works best for your product.
I recommend: Get stock clamshell packaging from
Proform Packaging or let
Valk Industries help you design a custom clamshell package.
Get blister packaging materials for medicines and pharmaceuticals
Blister packs are primarily used to package pills and tablets. Each tablet is usually encased in a clear plastic bubble with a foil backing, so it can be peeled or pushed through the foil side. The foil back is sometimes printed with a company logo, text, or graphics to correspond with the other packaging. The most common type of plastic used in pharmaceutical blister packs is polyvinyl chloride. This type of plastic is easily shaped and has low water vapor permeability.
I recommend: Get blister packaging materials basics from
Jamestown Plastics, or check out blister pack options from
Form Tight.
Purchase blister packaging machines to package and seal your product
Handling the blister packing yourself means renting assembly and sealing machines. These machines place the product in each bubble and seal the back in place, using a heat-activated plastic sealant and primer. The plastic sealant can be applied as part of the process, or by workers to save costs for smaller operations.
I recommend: Buy a sealing machine from
Partner Pak, or use
CPI's blister packing facilities to produce your product packaging.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Depending on the type of plastic you use, companies working with polyvinyl chloride and other packaging plastics may need to register with the EPA due to the chemicals released during the plastic's heating.
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