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Micron (film thickness)
Also known as: micron, micrometre, µm, film gauge, film thickness, pouch thickness
A micron (µm) is one millionth of a metre and is the standard unit used to express film and foil thickness in flexible packaging.
A micron (µm) is one thousandth of a millimetre. In flexible packaging it is the unit for film, foil and laminate thickness, for example "12 micron PET" or "80 micron PE".
Reading a structure
Each layer is listed separately, such as PET 12 / ALU 9 / PE 80, giving a total of roughly 100 microns plus a few microns of adhesive. Total thickness alone does not define quality; the materials matter more.
Typical ranges
- Outer PET or BOPP films: usually 12–30 µm.
- Aluminium foil: often around 7–12 µm.
- PE sealant layer: roughly 50–150 µm depending on fill weight.
What thickness affects
Thicker sealant layers improve strength, drop performance and how well a stand-up pouch holds its shape. They also raise cost. Thickness is different from grammage, which measures weight per square metre; films with different densities can share a thickness but not a weight. For sharp products, material choice matters as much as thickness for puncture resistance. Share fill weight and filling method with your converter and test samples before committing.
Frequently asked
How many microns is a typical stand-up pouch?
Many stand-up pouches fall roughly in the 80–150 micron total range, but the right figure depends on product weight and structure.
Is micron the same as gauge?
Both describe thickness. Gauge is a US unit where 100 gauge is about 25 microns; microns are the standard in Europe and Türkiye.
Related terms
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