Metallised and iridescent film

Pouches where the film itself is the whole idea.

An iridescent oil-slick film pouch with an opaque coral print block and a small clear window.

Best for: Pouches where the film itself is the whole idea.
Structure: Metallised PET, or holographic / iridescent film, with a PE sealant.
Print methods: Flexo with a white underprint wherever colour must stay true
Finishes: The film is the finish
After use: A mixed laminate. Not recyclable in most household streams.

How it's built

Outside to inside

Exploded view of an iridescent pouch laminate: clear print film with white underprint, iridescent metallised film, PET and sealant.

1Clear outer film (print and white underprint)
2Iridescent metallised film
3PET
4Polyethylene sealant

Look and feel

Mirror bright or oil-slick colour that shifts as you turn it. Seals and gussets catch hard bands of light. Lots of glare, by design.

Printing on it

Inks are translucent, so colour printed straight onto the film tints it and the shimmer shows through. Print an opaque white first wherever you want solid colour, and leave areas unprinted for a window on clear-base films. A matte overprint helps small type stay readable.

Barrier and shelf life

Medium-high, in the metallised-film class. A window lets light in, so keep it small for coffee.

Run sizes

Digitally printed pouches start around 500 per design. Plate-printed (rotogravure) pouches make sense from about 10,000 per design. Below 500, a stock bag with a printed or foil label is the cleaner route, and the label is where foil, letterpress and deboss actually work.