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PET film

Also known as: PET film, polyester film, BOPET, polyethylene terephthalate film

PET film is biaxially oriented polyester; heat-resistant, dimensionally stable and highly printable, it is a common outer layer in laminated pouches.

PET film is a thin polyester (polyethylene terephthalate) film, usually biaxially oriented (BOPET). It is heat-resistant, dimensionally stable and scratch-resistant, making it a favourite printed outer layer for laminated pouches.

Why brands use it

When pouches are sealed, the outer layer touches hot sealing jaws. PET does not soften or shrink at these temperatures, so seals look clean. It also does not stretch on press, which helps tight colour registration, and it allows reverse printing so ink is protected between layers.

Common structures

  • PET/PE for nuts, pulses and household goods
  • PET/metallised PET/PE for added light and oxygen barrier
  • PET/aluminium/PE for coffee and powders
  • PET/aluminium/OPA/CPP for retort applications

Watch-outs

A typical gauge is around 12 microns. Combined with a PE sealant, PET makes a mixed-material laminate that is hard to recycle mechanically. If recyclability is a priority, ask about oriented PE or BOPP-based mono-material alternatives. If you prefer a matte look, a matte lacquer over PET or a matte PET grade can give a premium finish without changing the rest of the structure.

Frequently asked

Is PET film the same material as PET bottles?

Chemically yes, both are polyethylene terephthalate, but pouch PET film is usually laminated to other materials, so it cannot go into the bottle recycling stream.

Why is PET often reverse printed?

Printing on the inside of clear PET and then laminating it traps the ink between layers, protecting it from scuffing and keeping it away from the product.

Related terms

BOPPBOPP is polypropylene film stretched in two directions; it is stiff, glossy, a good moisture barrier and a common printable outer layer in flexible packaging. LaminationLamination is the process of bonding two or more films, foils or papers with adhesive to create a single multi-layer packaging material. Reverse printing (sandwich print)Reverse printing puts the mirror-image design on the inner face of the outer film, then laminates it so the ink is trapped and protected. Aluminium foilAluminium foil is a thin metal layer used in laminated pouches, providing the highest barrier to light, oxygen, moisture and aroma in flexible packaging. Multi-layer structureA multi-layer structure is the stack of different films in a flexible pack, each doing a job such as print, barrier or sealing, e.g. PET/ALU/PE.

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