What to expect when you switch to metallized paper
The demand for metallized paper is increasing across the globe. Food and beverages, cosmetics, media, fashion and labelling companies are among those choosing to make the switch from more traditional materials to mono-material metallized paper.
Transitioning to a brand new material can nonetheless be a daunting prospect. Here are some of the things you can expect when you switch to metallized paper:
Familiarity
The word “metal” can conjure up images of a product that’s bulky and burdensome. But contrary to what you may think, metallized paper is paper-thin. Vacuum metallization involves evaporating a very thin layer of aluminium on paper, creating a layer that is around 900 times thinner than regular aluminium foil. All coatings and aluminum accounts for less than 5% of the product’s total weight.
As a result, metallized paper can be converted and printed using the same machinery and techniques as other coated papers, minimizing set-up, preparation times and disruption to processes. At the same time, it enables designers to work with a material they’re familiar with - paper - while exploring a vibrant new look and feel.
Versatility and flexibility
While the most widespread use of metallized paper today is labelling, companies are choosing to adopt it for increasingly varied applications. Metallized paper offers different levels of functionality, including light, vapor and transmission barrier properties, to suit a wide variety of end performance requirements.
Products can also be adapted to include specific coatings that offer more advanced resistance to water, grease and bacteria, making it an ideal option for food packaging such as ice cream cone wrappers.
Sustainability
Growing concerns about climate change and the impact of business activities on our planet are leading brands to think long and hard about what they can do to protect the environment. Results of extensive life-cycle analysis indicate that metallized papers require less energy to produce, convert and recycle than multi-layer alternatives such as foil stamping or MetPET.
Metallized papers are therefore an excellent option for companies looking to switch to more eco-friendly packaging materials without compromising functionality or shelf-appeal.
So with all this in mind, what impact would a switch to metallized paper have on your company? The answer is, a range of new possibilities offered by an eco-friendly, versatile and visually appealing material.