You must have seen many types of mylar bags in retail stores. Yes, these bags end up being the most innovative packaging for many food products these days. Well, the reason is quite obvious here; these bags have an oxygen absorber property to make sure your food products will be fresh longer. But what types of food products can you pack in these bags? And what are the benefits of using them? Let’s explore some interesting facts you would want to know about mylar bags!
A Brief Intro About Mylar
Mylar is basically a brand name for a special type of stretched polyester film. You might also know it as BoPET or biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate. This material is quite famous in various applications, such as electrical and thermal insulators, reflective material, and decoration.
However, the most trending use of mylar now is as flexible packaging and lids for the food industry, such as yogurt lids, roasting bags, and coffee foil pouches.
In addition, mylar comes with several desirable properties that make it ideal for commercial applications, including:
- High tensile strength
- Chemical stability
- Transparency
- Oxygen and odor barrier properties
The Introduction of Mylar Material to the World
Now, let’s find out when was mylar invented, actually.
In brief, the mylar material was first introduced to the world in 1952 as an extraordinarily strong polyester film. Since then, mylar has become a staple film across various applications and industries.
Later on, the packaging industry started using Mylar to produce durable food packaging. The main purpose was to keep oxygen out of the package. This way, packaging made of mylar material can preserve the food inside.
What Makes Mylar Bags So Durable?
Well, this is where we need to discuss more about what are mylar bags made of.
Mylar bags are typically made of a safe plastic material known as polyethylene. This material acts as the best protection from moisture and oxygen, which can damage many food products. Besides, the thickness of the bag controls how much air tightness or gas permeability. In general, this makes mylar bags to be durable without adding too much weight. Even better, the bags will not make any noise when you shake them as plastic does. The best part to mention here is that these bags are FDA-approved for use in packaging foods.
The Various Ways to Use Mylar Bags
We all know that Mylar bags are the ultimate in food storage. These bags are durable, lightweight, and will not take up much space.
But how to use mylar bags, anyway?
Have a look at the various ways you can use these bags below!
Preppers and Survivalists
Mylar bags are all the rage with preppers and survivalists. After all, these bags are lightweight, waterproof, and perfect for many purposes from storing food to protecting your electronics.
Protecting Food
To be noted, these bags are a necessity for protecting food from insects, rodents, and other pests. In these bags, you can relax, knowing that your food is safe and fresh for longer.
Camping
You can also use mylar bags when you go camping. No doubt, these bags will keep your food away from pesky critters as well!
What Can We Store in Mylar Bags?
Many!
Well, mylar pouches are versatile and ideal for storing a wide range of products.
Below are some things you can store easily in these trendy bags!
- Food
Mylar bags are the most ideal and the best option for long-term food storage. You can safely store low-moisture, low-fat foods such as white rice, wheat, flour, beans, sugar, and oats in these bags. Or else, you can also keep dehydrated fruits and vegetables in them. However, remember to dry those fruits and vegetables completely and pack them with an oxygen absorber.
- Herbs and spices
These bags work very well in maintaining the freshness and potency of herbs and spices.
- Medical supplies
Yes, mylar bags are also suitable for storing medical supplies and pharmaceutical products.
- Cannabis products
To pack cannabis products, smell-proof mylar bags are ideal as they provide a smell-proof feature to keep your products discreet.
Know the Wonderful Benefits of Mylar Bags!
Without any doubt, mylar bags offer wonderful benefits that make them ideal for long-term storage of food and other products.
To convince you more, let’s find out the benefits of using these bags!
Oxygen Barrier Property
These bags have an extremely low Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR). Yes, thanks to their thick foil laminate layer, the bags provide three layers of protection from moisture, light, and odor. So, yes, mylar pouches are smell-proof!
Flexibility
The mylar material is extremely flexible and thin, while also being very strong and durable. Even better, this material is puncture-resistant and very easy to use.
Food Preservation
The opacity feature of customized mylar bags will preserve the nutrients of your food. Eventually, if you store the food properly, this bag will keep your food fresh for months or years longer than traditional food storage methods.
Product Longevity
When you use mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, they can add more time to the shelf life of your stored products. In some cases, these bags can extend the shelf life up to 30 years!
Reusable
Are mylar bags reusable?
Yes, they are!
One of the main benefits of using Mylar bags is that these bags are so versatile. Thus, you can use them to package everything from your leftover food to your fresh fruit and vegetables.
Then, once you’ve finished using the bags, you can simply hand wash the bag in warm soapy water and then dry them completely to use them again. We must say that this is one of the easiest ways to reuse and recycle your Mylar bags. Additionally, you can also read our blog which is completely about the benefits of using mylar bags .
Can We Print Mylar Bags?
Yes, of course, we can!
If you wish to present your products exclusively, you can print them on Mylar packaging using various methods. Of course, the printing method you should choose depends on the outcome you want.
Here are a few ways to print on Mylar bags!
- Screen printing
Screen printing is a popular method for printing on Mylar bags. Basically, the method involves creating a stencil (screen) of the desired design and using it to apply ink onto the bag’s surface.
- Heat transfers
Heat transfer printing is the perfect option for customizing Mylar packaging bags. The process involves using a heat press to transfer a design from a printed transfer sheet onto the bag’s surface.
- Digital printing
Digital printing, such as using a white toner printer, is also great for printing on Mylar bags. Far better, this method offers more flexibility in terms of design and color options.
How Long Can We Store Our Food in Mylar Bags?
Now there must be some questions roaming in your mind right now:
- How long does food last in mylar bags?
- Are mylar bags food-safe?
Well then, let’s answer them, shall we?
First of all, your food stored in Mylar bags can last for several months or years. Of course, this is if you will store it correctly at the ideal temperature and air pressure for that particular food product.
Besides, the shelf life of food in Mylar bags depends on some factors, including storage temperature, air pressure, container, and cleanliness.
Have a look below for a chart of the different lengths of time you can store specific types of food
| Food Item | Shelf Life |
| All-purpose flour | Up to 20 years |
| Whole-wheat or white flour | Up to 20 years |
| Cake flour | Varies |
| Nuts and seeds | Around two years |
| Dried goods | Quite a long time |
| Honey | Indefinite period |
Easy Tips to Seal Your Mylar Bags
If you wish to use mylar bags for long-term food storage, definitely, you must seal the bags properly. Mostly, people use vacuum seals to seal mylar bags. For this, you can use a vacuum sealer specifically designed for Mylar bags. Mostly, external vacuum sealers have a tube that attaches to the Mylar bag. Meanwhile, internal vacuum sealers come with a chamber that your Mylar bag fits into. Well, both types work by removing the air from the bag, which helps prevent your food from spoiling.
But if you don’t have one, you can use an ordinary clothing iron or a hair straightener. Yes, it’s that simple!
Here’s how to seal Mylar food storage bags with a clothing iron or hair straightener!
- Fill the Mylar bag with food product that contains 10% or less moisture
- Add oxygen absorbers to your bag with the right amount.
- Remember to remove as much air as possible from the bag
- Use an iron or hair straightener to seal the bag
You should start in the middle of the bag and seal one side, leaving half to three-quarters of the bag unsealed. Then, squeeze out any remaining air from the bag and finish the sealing process.
Make sure that there are no food particles or dust where you are going to seal the Mylar packaging bag. Why?
Because this can weaken the seal. Moreover, you can also read a detailed guide about how to seal mylar bags.
Where to Buy Mylar Bags?
Alright, here comes the big question; where to buy mylar bags?
Well, you can find many online suppliers out there. But wait, if you wish to get mylar bags of premium quality, you should get them from a reliable supplier such as The Custom Mylar Bags.
Have a good day ahead!
