BOPP and PET (BOPET) films are two of the most widely used materials in flexible packaging. This page provides a clear overview of the main types of each film, their key features, typical applications, and a direct comparison to help you choose the right material.
BOPP Film Types
BOPP film (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) is produced by extruding polypropylene melt into a sheet, followed by stretching in both the machine direction (MD) and transverse direction (TD). It features high transparency, good gloss, high mechanical strength, excellent moisture barrier properties, and is non-toxic and odorless, making it one of the most widely used materials in flexible packaging. Based on applications and properties, common types of BOPP films include the following:
1. Plain / General-Purpose Type (Glossy Film / Flat Film)
- The most basic and highest-volume variety.
- High transparency and high gloss; mainly used for printing, lamination, bag-making, adhesive tape base film, and paper lamination.
- Common thicknesses: approximately 15–40 μm.
- Related products: Basic Lamination Films
2. Heat-Sealable Type
- A heat-sealable resin is added to the surface layer (via co-extrusion or coating), providing good heat-sealing performance.
- Available in single-side and double-side heat-sealable versions.
- Mainly used for bag-making, general packaging, and high-speed packaging.
- View product: Heat Sealable Films
3. Cigarette Packaging Film (Tobacco Film)
- Specially designed for high-speed cigarette packaging.
- High transparency, high gloss, good heat-seal strength, high stiffness, excellent moisture barrier, and good package flatness.
- Common thicknesses: approximately 20–25 μm.
4. Pearlized Film
- Produced by adding cavitating agents such as calcium carbonate; stretching creates a microporous structure that gives a pearlescent white opaque appearance.
- Lower density (generally below 0.7 g/cm³), with good light-blocking and UV barrier properties.
- Commonly used for food packaging (ice cream, candy, dried fruits, etc.), daily necessities, and labels.
- View product: Pearlescent Film
5. Metallized Film (Aluminum-Metallized / Vacuum-Metallized Film)
- Produced by vacuum depositing aluminum onto a BOPP base film.
- Features metallic luster and significantly improved barrier properties (against moisture and oxygen).
- Used for food packaging, anti-counterfeiting, labels, and high-barrier packaging.
- View product: Metallized Films
6. Matte Film (Dull Film / Matt Film)
- Low surface gloss (typically <15 gloss units) and high haze, creating a paper-like matte effect with a comfortable hand feel.
- Excellent color reproduction in printing; often used for premium packaging, boxed foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical packaging.
- Related products: Soft Touch Film
7. Anti-Fog Film
- Offers anti-fog performance, high transparency, and good freshness preservation.
- Mainly used for packaging vegetables, fruits, flowers, sushi, and other fresh produce.
- View product: Anti-Fog Film
8. Other Specialty Types
- Label Film: Used for product labels, bottle labels, advertising printing, etc.
- Capacitor Film (Electrical Film): Ultra-thin (down to a few microns), used in capacitors and other electronic applications.
- Holographic / Anti-Counterfeiting Film: Used for security and decorative purposes. → Laser Film
- Coated Film: Surface-coated with PVDC, acrylic, etc., to further enhance barrier or heat-seal performance.
- Functional Films (anti-static, high-slip, scratch-resistant, etc.): → Functional Protective Films
PET Film Types (BOPET)
PET film (typically referring to BOPET, Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate) is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the raw material. It is produced by melt extrusion and casting into a sheet, followed by biaxial stretching in both the machine and transverse directions. It features high mechanical strength, excellent dimensional stability, outstanding heat and cold resistance, high transparency, good gas barrier and aroma retention properties, and good chemical resistance.
1. Plain / General-Purpose PET Film
- High transparency, high gloss, and good strength.
- Mainly used for printing and lamination, packaging substrates, labels, etc.
- Related products: Basic Lamination Films
2. High-Gloss Film
- Excellent optical properties (high transparency, low haze, high gloss); shows a mirror-like effect after metallization.
- Mainly used for high-end vacuum metallized products, laser anti-counterfeiting base films, and decorative packaging.
3. Metallized Film (VMPET / Metallized PET)
- Significantly improved barrier properties after vacuum aluminum deposition, with good gloss.
- Commonly used for puffed foods, coffee, tea, high-barrier packaging, etc.
- View product: Metallized Films
4. Transfer Film (Thermal Transfer Film)
- High tensile strength, good thermal stability, low heat shrinkage, and good releasability; can be reused multiple times.
- Mainly used as a carrier for vacuum metallization to transfer the aluminum layer onto paper, producing metallized cardboard.
5. Reflective Film
- Excellent optical properties, smooth surface, light aging resistance, and good thermal stability.
- Used for traffic reflective signs, billboards, reflective police uniforms, industrial safety signs, etc.
6. Chemically Coated Film
- Surface coated with acrylic, polyurethane, etc., to improve printability or adhesion of the metallized layer.
- Used to enhance printing and lamination performance.
7. Heat-Shrink Film (PET Shrink Film)
- High shrinkage rate when heated, stable at room temperature.
- Mainly used for shrink labels and packaging of beverages, dairy products, convenience foods, electronic products, etc.
8. Electrical Insulation Film / Capacitor Film
- Good insulation performance, high breakdown voltage, and dimensional stability.
- Dedicated to electronic and electrical insulation materials, capacitor dielectrics, etc.
9. Card Protection Film / Other Functional Films
- Includes anti-static film, matte film, white film, flame-retardant film, release film, optical-grade film, etc.
- Used for card protection, labels, screen protectors, industrial insulation, etc.
- View products: Functional Protective Films | Scratch Resistant Film | High Scratch Resistant Films
10. Coated High-Barrier Film (e.g., KPET coated with PVDC)
- Further enhances barrier and heat-seal performance.
- Used for high-speed automatic packaging.
BOPP vs PET – Key Comparison
| Property | PET (BOPET) | BOPP |
|---|---|---|
| Strength / Stiffness | Higher | Good |
| Heat Resistance | Excellent (usable up to ~150°C) | Moderate (up to ~120°C) |
| Gas Barrier | Better | Poorer |
| Moisture Barrier | Moderate | Better |
| Heat Sealability | Poor (requires lamination) | Can be made heat-sealable |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Typical Applications | High-barrier packaging, electrical insulation, metallization, labels, shrink film | General packaging, cigarette film, pearlized film, adhesive tape |
