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How Packaging Choices Affect Coffee From Roast to Cup

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  After being roasted, coffee’s best protection is its packaging. Even the best quality beans in the world can lose some of their flavour, if they are stored in conditions that allow air and light to get in. The quality of the coffee is directly related to the quality of the packaging; it’s not simply a marketing decision.  When coffee is roasted, it gives off gases. This is why there must be a balance between protecting the coffee from air and light, while also allowing for the gases to escape. If there are no materials that allow for gas to properly escape, bags can trap oxygen and retain it; but if the gases are not able to escape from the bag, they can create problems in how the coffee actually tastes.  Traditional storage options have difficulty finding a balance between protecting the coffee and allowing for adequate ventilation. Many of the traditional options (thin bags, paper packaging, and generic storage containers) tend to skew the balance toward convenience r...

Can Mylar Bags Handle Freezer Storage Long Term?

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  Although freezers can slow the process of spoiling food, freezing food does not stop this process completely. Freezers still cause food to lose water due to evaporation and other factors, but they are three meals delayed. The way that food is packaged is a determining factor in how long food will last; this has been explored in the article titled, "Can You Freeze Food in Mylar Bags?". Using Mylar bags for the purpose of long-term storage of food outside freezers is common; therefore, it is reasonable to question how these bags will hold up with respect to freezing. Fortunately, Mylar has remained flexible in freezers, unlike many plastics that become stiff. What is most important is the way that air is removed when packaging food in Mylar. In this case, if air is removed, whether by using an oxygen absorber or manual removal, this will reduce the risk of freezer burn, which is especially important for foods that have been cooked as well as for meats and for sauces, since th...

Understanding Chocolate Shelf Life Beyond the Expiration Date

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  Most of the time, chocolate doesn’t degrade all at once. Instead, it deteriorates by steadily losing characteristics related to texture, flavor, aroma, and appearance. Because of this gradual degradation, some chocolate products may technically still be safe to eat but no longer enjoyable. Chocolate expiration dates are often meant to represent the quality of the product rather than safety; improper or sub-par conditions may cause deterioration well before the expiration date is reached. Chocolate in a deteriorated state may indicate aging (i.e., “bloom”) and may lose taste, develop different mouth-feel characteristics, or other indicators that suggest improper storage conditions affecting the product. Oxygen and water are the most common reasons for the gradual deterioration of chocolate. Even the smallest amount of air or moisture that enters the package over time can trigger unwanted chemical reactions between sugars and oils. This would happen more quickly with milk chocolate...

The Role Printing Plays in How Customers Judge Mylar Packaging

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  Most customers do not consider packaging to be separate from the products inside. When it comes to Mylar bags, the product should exceed the customer’s expectations because they are perceived to be denser than regular plastic packaging. When printing on Mylar bags, clear printing and sharp edges convey an attitude of care and intent. When the printing on a Mylar bag is faded or uneven, sureness about the contents can be diminished, even if they are actually in good condition. With regard to defects and other problems with Mylar (e.g., alignment, color, smudging), their reflective nature makes them easier for customers to see versus using a matte paper or cardboard type of substrate. Thus, companies that do not understand the printing processes and setup will be more affected by the printing process than they typically expect. Another aspect of printing on Mylar bags that companies should consider is consistency among each production run. When companies order multiple production r...

Why the Custom Mylar Packaging Landscape Is Being Redefined

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  The custom Mylar bag manufacturing industry has grown beyond simply producing bulk amounts of packaged products. Brands that want to develop and test new products with minimal up-front commitments are reducing friction, enabling more independent or emerging brands to compete with traditional packaging sources, as well as an increasing number of independent brands challenging traditional packaging sources. The expectation of order volume has been reduced from making larger quantities of product packaging to smaller quantities to create and test new packaging concepts with minimal commitment, creating more innovation; lowering the time for production and enhancing design flexibility has transitioned linear order volumes from premium offerings to baseline expectations for brand owners.  Brand owners now expect to have their products packaged and have the packaging change quickly, owing to design decisions made prior to the completion of theproject. These evolving expectations h...

Why Glow in the Dark Packaging Is More Than a Visual Gimmick

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  Glow-in-the-dark package design is moving from novelty to strategy, and brands within the competitive e-commerce and retail markets are discovering that using visual differentiation will drive sales. Packaging will continue to provide an experience, even when the lights go out, that can't be replicated with traditional printing techniques. Glow-in-the-dark Mylar bags create the perfect combination of high-barrier protection and an interactive visual element that provide odor resistance and strength, along with blocking moisture, oxygen, and light. However, the experience of the product is different based on where the customer is using it. In low-light environments like bars, clubs, and dispensaries, glow-in-the-dark packaging has a natural competitive advantage. Additionally, packaging that glows creates a strong brand recall; thus, memorable packaging will encourage repeat purchases. Customers often share unique packaging designs on social media, allowing amplification of brand ...

Resealable Mylar Bags for Everyday Convenience

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  Resealable Mylar bags are very convenient for customers because their design integrates into their daily routines. Common sense would tell that using something that could be held together with clips, inside containers, or effort to keep from coming open is not an option when using food or other goods.  Resealable Mylar bags offer customers the ability to access products multiple times without compromising freshness. Resealable Mylar Bags will give consumers access to products consumed progressively, such as snacks, powders, dog food, or any specialty product being consumed a little at a time.  By simply resealing the bag, there is a lot less mess when the bag is sealed correctly due to any potential for spills, crumbs, or night air exposure when opening and closing the bags. Whether in your pantry, backpack, or retail display, resealable Mylar bags make it easier on you to store your product. Shoppers perceive value with the resealable Mylar bag packaging. Many shoppers...