The Comprehensive Guide To Mylar Bag Thickness
You would have seen retail store shelves with various displayed products packed. The most effective packaging in terms of food storage and display is flexible, lightweight, and durable mylar bags made from polyester film, which offer great strength through excellent barrier properties.
These Mylar bags come in various sizes and thicknesses and are measured in “mils” to meet your storage needs. You can find these lightweight Mylar bags with greater durability to store and protect your items for the maximum possible time.
This blog is going to explore the standard Mylar bag thicknesses, their importance, and how they can be measured. Let’s get started.
Why Mylar Bag Thickness Is So Important?
The role of mylar bag thickness is essential as it provides better protection against various elements including moisture, light, and oxygen ensuring durability and effective installation while conveying a sense of premium quality.
The thickness of mylar bags maintains the integrity and longevity of the content inside. The more thicker the mylar bag the more secure your product is.
How to Choose The Right Mylar Bag Thickness For Food
When it comes to choosing the right mylar bag thicknesses, depends on various factors including food type, storage duration, and environmental state. Let’s look at some mylar bag thicknesses and see how they are good to protect stored food items for a longer time.
4 Mil Mylar Bags
The smaller mylar bags with 4 MIL thickness offer protection against environmental hazards. They are ideal for short-term storage and suitable for foods from snacks and flour to herbs and spices.
5 Mil Mylar Bags
Food-safe 5 MIL mylar bags made from multiple film layers including aluminum foil offer excellent barrier properties. For keeping a balance between durability and flexibility, this mylar bag's thickness is great. Offering better protection than 4 MIL mylar bags, they provide good resistance against moisture and light. These 5 MIL mylar bags are a good choice for long-term storage of dried products from grains to nuts and seeds.
7 Mil Mylar Bags
Mylar bags with a thickness of 7 MIL come in various sizes. Their puncture resistance and flexibility have made them popular for long-term food storage.
The high barrier properties of 7 mil mylar bags prevent oxygen and light from entering. You can store dehydrated foods and liquids in these mylar bags with the peace of mind that they will stay fresh.
What Is The Acceptable Thickness Of Mylar Bags
Mylar bags' thickness is found in a range starting from 2 mil to 7 mil. You would be surprised to hear mil. Well, mil is a unit of length equivalent to one thousand (1000) of an inch to measure the thickness of a mylar bag.
The most preferable mylar bag thickness to give optimum storage to your food items is between 5 mil to 7 mil. Your mylar bag may not offer lasting storage if it possesses a thickness below 4 mils. Be sure the mylar bag you choose contains sufficient thickness to withstand moisture, UV lights, humidity, and other environmental hazards.
Mylar Bag Food Storage Chart
Here is the chart to help you understand what types of foods you can store in mylar bags and how long they can last.
| Food Type | Shelf Life |
| Rice | Up to 22 Years |
| Flour | Up to 22 Years |
| Grains | 5 Years |
| Dried Beans | 5 Years |
| Freed-Dried Foods | 5 Years |
| Powdered Milk | 5 Years |
| Instant/Cooked Foods | 2 Years |
How To Measure the Mylar Bag Thickness?
The thicknesses of mylar bags are aligned with mylar bag sizes. It is measured in Mil and 1 Mil is equal to 0.001 inches. Here are the following ways to help you measure mylar bags correctly.
- Take a caliper and place the mylar bag between the caliper jaws. Close the caliper gently to measure its thickness.
- Use a micrometer to measure the thickness.
- You can lay down the mylar bag flat to measure its height using a ruler. It can give a less accurate mylar bag thickness.
- Use a thickness gauge to measure the thickness of mylar in case of industrial purposes.
Read More: List of Foods to Store in Mylar Bags for Long-Term Storage
What Is The Difference Between 5 Mil And 7 Mil Mylar Bags?
5 mil versus 7 mil mylar bags differ in their thickness, durability, and barrier protection which ensure food preservation.
| Features | 5 Mil Mylar Bag | 7 Mil Mylar Bag |
| Thickness | 5 MILS (0.005 inches) | 7 MILS (0.007 inches) |
| Durability | Less durable and prone to punctures | More durable and resistant to punctures |
| Barrier Protection | Good for medium-term storage | Excellent choice for long-term storage |
| Flexibility | More flexible and easy to seal | Less flexible and sturdier |
| Cost | Cheaper | Expensive |
How Thick Are Harvest Right Mylar Bags?
Harvest Right Mylar bags come in various sizes. Typically they have a thickness of 7 MILS to prevent oxygen and water from penetrating the bag which can cause spoiling food. They are a proven long-term food storage solution.
Bottom Line
This guide has given enough knowledge about mylar bag strength and thickness. Whenever you are asked about “what are standard mylar bag thicknesses”, you will surprisingly answer it with confidence.
Mylar bags are indeed reliable packaging options for storing and preserving foods. Whether you need to store your food items for a short-term or long-term, the right thickness and strength of mylar bags play a key role in extending their shelf life.
To help you determine the best selection of mylar bag thickness, join hands with a reliable packaging manufacturer like Custom Product Packaging. Working with us can help you choose the right mylar bags with enough strength to maintain the freshness of your food items for a longer time. Email us at orders@customproductpackaging.com to learn about plentiful customized mylar bag options and let your foods stay fresh longer.
