Why depth drives thickness
Forming film thins as it stretches into the pocket, most of all at the corners. The deeper the pocket, the more it stretches, so the starting thickness has to leave enough material where the film ends up thinnest.
Reference thickness ranges from our supply experience
|
Pocket depth |
Initial sample thickness |
Note |
|
About 3–5 cm |
150–200 μm |
Reference range for our meat, sausage and similar applications |
|
About 10 cm |
About 300 μm |
Starting reference for deeper pockets; select by application |
Across applications, our forming films typically range from 150 to 400 μm. The table gives broad starting ranges for the films we supply; it is not a fixed depth-to-thickness rule.
What pushes thickness up or down
Products with bones or sharp edges need more toughness and usually a thicker film.
Heavy packs and long or rough distribution routes call for extra margin.
Formulation matters as well as gauge. Nylon and PE grades and their layer ratios affect toughness and forming behaviour, so two films of the same thickness may perform differently.
Choosing the bottom web and lid separately
For our typical applications, the lidding film is often 65–80 μm and seals over the formed pocket. It is selected for a different job from the bottom web. Our lidding film vs forming film guide explains how to specify the two together.
Choosing a film for your trial
Share the product, approximate pocket depth and pack size, plus your current film specification if available. We can recommend suitable thickness and structure options and provide samples. Detailed mould drawings are not needed to begin the discussion.
Test the samples on your packaging line to confirm forming quality, sealing performance and pack durability under your usual handling conditions. If corners remain weak or packs fail, send photos and trial feedback so we can review the next sample option.Explore our thermoforming films.
