Custom mylar bags are printed pouches made from laminated metallized film, chosen when a product needs a barrier against light, air and moisture as well as a branded front. TBPB makes them in your size, format and artwork with no minimum order, and if you bring a written quote for the same specs, we beat it.
What mylar actually is, and why it is used
The word mylar gets used loosely. In packaging it usually means a laminated film pouch with a thin metallized or foil layer inside, sandwiched between a printable outer film and a heat-seal inner film. The metallized layer is the point. It reduces how much light, oxygen and moisture pass through, which slows staling, fading and clumping. That is why mylar bags are common for coffee, tea, snacks, protein, supplements, spices and long-storage dry foods. Clear plastic pouches without a barrier layer look similar but do far less to protect the product.
Choosing the format before the artwork
Mylar comes in several shapes, and the format matters more than the print. A flat pouch is sealed on three sides and lies flat, which suits single-serve packs, samples and light items. A stand up pouch has a gusset so it stands on a shelf and holds more. A bag with a clear window shows the product but lets in some light. Add a zipper if customers will reopen it, a tear notch for easy opening, and a hang hole if it goes on a peg. A common mistake is picking a stand up pouch for a product that is sold flat in a box, or a flat pouch for a heavy product that needs to sit upright.
Sizing and fill
Size from the real product at the weight you sell. Measure the width the filled product needs, the height up to the zipper or the seal, and the gusset if you choose a stand up bag. Leave headspace for the top seal, since a bag filled to the edge will not seal cleanly. Powders and fine grains settle, so a bag that looks full on day one can look slack by the time it reaches the shelf. If you are unsure, send the product and the fill weight and we recommend a size.
- Flat, stand up and windowed formats
- Press-to-close zipper, tear notch, hang hole
- Full-colour CMYK printing with Pantone matching
- Matte or gloss outer film
- Custom width, height and gusset
- No minimum order
Where mylar is the wrong answer
Mylar is a poor choice when you need the product to be seen clearly all the time, and for heavy items that can tear a pouch seam. Be careful with claims about odor or child resistance. A barrier film helps with odor, but whether a bag is smell-proof depends on the construction and closure, and child-resistant packaging has its own testing and certification requirements that we do not claim for a standard pouch. If your product is regulated, check labelling and contact rules with your own regulatory adviser. TBPB prints the artwork you supply.
Where to go next
If the product needs to stand on a shelf, read about stand up mylar bags. For a flat pack format, see flat pouches, and for shoppers who want a view of the contents, mylar bags with windows. Sellers who need a seal they can close themselves will find the heat seal mylar bags relevant. Everything is listed in the mylar bag category.
Send us the product, fill weight and a quantity, even if it is one, and we will set the specs and quote it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order for custom mylar bags?
No. TBPB has no minimum order, so you can order a few bags to test a design or thousands for a launch. Send your size, format and quantity and we quote it. If you have a written quote for the same specs elsewhere, we beat it.
What is a mylar bag made of?
A typical mylar bag is a laminated film: a printable outer layer, a metallized or foil barrier layer, and an inner heat-seal layer. The barrier reduces light, oxygen and moisture. The exact structure varies, so tell us the product and the shelf life you need.
What is the difference between a flat pouch and a stand up pouch?
A flat pouch is sealed on three sides and lies flat, which suits samples and light items. A stand up pouch has a bottom gusset so it stands on a shelf and holds more. Choose by how the product is displayed and how heavy it is.
Are mylar bags smell-proof?
A barrier film helps limit odor, but whether a bag is smell-proof depends on the construction, the seal and the closure. We do not guarantee it for a standard pouch. Tell us what the product is and how well it needs to be contained, and we advise.
Are mylar bags child-resistant?
A standard mylar pouch is not child-resistant. Child-resistant packaging has its own testing and certification requirements, so we do not claim it for a regular bag. If you need it, confirm the rules with your own regulatory adviser before you design the pack.
Can I put a window or zipper on a mylar bag?
Yes. A clear window, press-to-close zipper, tear notch and hang hole can all be added. A window lets in more light than a fully opaque bag, so for light-sensitive products it is often better to keep it small or skip it.
More Mylar Bags
See the full Mylar Bags range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee:
