Packaging Material Glossary for Industrial Buyers
This glossary explains the terms buyers usually meet when comparing BOPP film, PET film, thermal paper, pressure-sensitive labels, flexible packaging structures, sample rolls, datasheets, and export documents. Use it to prepare clearer RFQs and to avoid quoting mistakes caused by vague material names.
Film and flexible packaging terms
Biaxially oriented polypropylene film used for packaging, labels, overwrap, lamination, and print structures. Buyers usually confirm thickness, haze, gloss, stiffness, corona treatment, and heat-seal need.
Polyester film selected when dimensional stability, clarity, tensile strength, heat resistance, or metallized barrier options matter. Common RFQ details include micron thickness, roll width, surface treatment, and application.
Film with a vacuum-deposited metal layer used when the structure needs stronger light, aroma, or moisture resistance than plain transparent film. The final structure should be checked by application and shelf-life target.
Surface treatment that improves ink, coating, or adhesive anchorage. Buyers should state the printing or lamination process and whether the treated side must face inside or outside.
Optical measurements that affect shelf appearance, transparency, and label readability. Clear film, matte film, and white film are not interchangeable in visual packaging work.
The temperature range where a film or coating seals properly on the buyer's packaging line. It should be reviewed with sealing jaw temperature, dwell time, pressure, and product contents.
Thermal paper and label terms
| Term | What buyers should confirm |
|---|---|
| GSM / Basis Weight | Paper weight per square meter. It affects roll yield, stiffness, receipt feel, and freight planning. |
| Caliper | Paper thickness. For thermal paper and labels, caliper can affect printer feed, die-cutting, roll diameter, and dispensing speed. |
| Top-coat | Protective layer used on some thermal grades to improve resistance to oil, moisture, plasticizer, abrasion, or handling conditions. |
| Dynamic Sensitivity | How quickly thermal paper images under printer energy and speed. It matters for POS, ticketing, label, and logistics equipment. |
| Face Stock | The printable top material of a pressure-sensitive label, such as paper, PP, PET, thermal paper, or specialty film. |
| Release Liner | The backing material that protects adhesive before application. Glassine, PET, and other liners affect die-cutting, dispensing, and waste handling. |
| Peel Strength | The force needed to remove a label from a surface. It should be checked against substrate, temperature, surface texture, and storage time. |
RFQ and document terms
Minimum order quantity. It can change by material grade, width, printing, adhesive, color, core diameter, and packing method. Ask for sample timing separately from bulk MOQ.
Technical datasheet. A useful TDS should identify measurable parameters such as thickness, width, tensile strength, coating, adhesive type, roll/core diameter, storage guidance, and test conditions.
Certificate of analysis or batch-related document used to review production consistency. The exact document should match the product and buyer approval process.
The port or delivery area used for export packing, pallet planning, freight estimate, and shipping document coordination.
Related pages
- Packaging datasheets checklist
- Material guides for packaging buyers
- Packaging material comparisons
- BOPP film supplier page
- PET film supplier page
- Thermal paper jumbo roll page
Need a term checked against your project?
Send the product use, size, thickness or gsm, roll width, core diameter, printing method, quantity, destination country, and required documents. XIYONG can help turn the terminology into a practical sample or quotation request.