ProAmpac is at the cutting edge of materials science and implementing the latest technology into our packaging.

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Our rollstock products using both conventional and sustainable structures have been tested successfully on vertical, horizontal, and flow wrap lines from numerous machine manufactures. We strive to design our materials to drop in and run as well as possible. Rest assured our packaging will provide the right product protection and stand out on the shelf with brilliant graphics.

The industrial market requires pressure-sensitive label release base for products such as insulation. These products are all coated on our tandem extrusion coating lines, which can coat two sides of a substrate in one pass. In-line ancillary equipment provides lay-flat characteristics required in certain markets. 

Our laminations are produced to stringent quality specifications using a broad range of materials: PET, foil, OPP, PE, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), metallocene PE, Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), CPP and metalized films.

RP- is the first in a series of curbside recyclable paper-based packaging solutions that are heat-sealable with good moisture barrier and excellent directional tear properties.  An ideal replacement for conventional multi-material laminates, RP- is suited for frozen food applications such as ready-to-eat meals and vegetables and some dry foods. Pre-qualified for curbside recycling, RP- can be recycled in both paper and mixed streams. 

RP- series are available in rollstock, stand up, and three-side seal pouch formats. Using ProAmpac’s award-winning high definition (HD) flexographic printed graphics, RP- is available in natural kraft or bleached versions for brand elevation and customization. 

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The ProActive Recyclable R- series is a patented PE-based high performance recyclable film. R-D is engineered to maintain packaging speeds on form/fill/seal equipment. This recyclable film offers a low seal initiation temperature while creating hermetic seals. The R- series has very high clarity, very good drop strength, and excellent directional tear without the need for scoring.

R-D

The R-D is intended for dry product applications and is available with a standard, high, or ultra-high barrier to protect moisture and oxygen-sensitive products.  The standard and high-barrier offerings are pre-qualified for store drop-off in North America.

Features and benefits:

• Superior heat resistance for optimal filling speeds and a wide operating window on filling lines
• Excellent ink protection to withstand even the most rigorous distribution chains
• High stiffness for enhanced shelf-presence
• Increased resistance to dimpling vs. non-laminated structures

R-

R- has the same features and benefits as R-D but with the added benefit of enhanced puncture resistance. This product is suited for dry product applications like pet treats or salty snacks.

R-F

ProActive Recyclable R-F is a recyclable film with superior heat resistance designed for frozen food packaging. Using a patent-pending laminated construction, R-F is available in rollstock for vertical or horizontal form/fill/seal applications, rollstock with a pre-applied recyclable INNO-LOK® zipper or pre-made pouches with recyclable zippers. Great for frozen fruit, vegetables, potatoes, snacks, appetizers and seafood.

R-S

ProActive Recyclable R-S is a polyethylene-based film fulfills the market need for a recyclable packaging option that withstands the demands of a microwave heating environment. R-S provides superior seal integrity and thermal and dimensional stability for non-fat vegetables. A patent-pending film, R-S runs on high-speed form/fill/seal equipment and is pre-qualified for store drop-off recycling.

For Ovenable and Hot Cabinet Products
HotRap™ is comprised of a combination of fiber and film and is specifically designed to be formed and packed on flow wrap machines.  Windows allow products to achieve desired crispness while also maximizing product visibility. Additional vents in the packaging help improve cooking and product integrity, keeping food fresh and tasty. The outer fiber laminated layer provides insulation, protecting consumers from hot products while on the go.  This packaging is ideal for batch vs individual cooking, improving store and employee efficiencies.  HotRap goes from being packed at the manufacturer, to being heated in-store, to the point of sale and served to the consumer in one piece of packaging.

Features:

• Printed material supplied machine-ready in reel form
• Pre-pouched format options available
• Ovenable up to 392° F / 200° C (HotRap)
• Microwavable
• Modified Atmosphere (MAP) option available
• Perforations and fog-resistant coating available for film windows
• Customizable windows and packaging size

Benefits:

• Direct print reduces the need for additional labels
• Fully tested and validated for hot-holding food for 4 hours
• Ergonomic solution for improved consumer experience
• Fog-resistant coating reduces condensation for good product visibility
• Enhances branding opportunities through quality printing and customized window design, size and placement
• Extended shelf-life options help minimize food waste
• Improved operational efficiency

Food Applications Include:

• Breakfast sandwiches
• Wraps
• Subs
• Paninis and specialty sandwiches
• Flat breads
• Hot Rolls
• Burritos
• Sausage Rolls

ProActive Recyclable R- polyethylene-based recyclable film formulation designed to overcome the challenges faced by form/fill/seal operations of recyclable structures.  Designed specifically to reduce seal bar gumming and burn-through, R- will run faster on form/fill/seal machines than standard polyethylene films.  In addition, R- has the stiffness and caulkability necessary to create the high-quality pouches your product deserves. 

ProActive Recyclable R- is pre-qualified for in-store drop-off in North America.

Available in rollstock or rollstock with a pre-applied recyclable INNO-LOK® zipper. Great for nuts, granola, confectionary, salty snacks, and trail mix.

ProAmpac’s expertly engineered frozen food materials are designed to endure the stress of cold chain distribution while bringing consumer appeal to the freezer case.

Surface Printed Frozen Food Packaging

ProAmpac extrudes high-performance multi-layer films for the frozen foods industry, providing an optimal combination of strength and machinability on vertical form/fill/seal machines. With the ability to be surface printed with 10-color high-definition flexographic presses, your frozen food packaging is sure to stand out in the freezer case. Our standard surface-printed films are recyclable and pre-qualify for store drop off collection streams in the US and Canada.

Laminated Frozen Food Packaging

ProAmpac laminated films combine, ten-color flexographic printing with industry-proven sealant layers resulting in high-quality, visually appealing frozen food packaging for vertical and horizontal form/fill/seal applications. Our packaging is suitable for forming a variety of packaging formats including pillow and gusseted pouches. Our frozen food packaging can withstand heavy package weights and have excellent puncture resistance. ProAmpac offers laser and mechanical venting options as well as microwaveable designs which provide consumers additional convenience when preparing frozen foods. Our ProActive PCR offering for frozen food packaging allows for the addition of PCR-PET and PCR-PE to conventional frozen food packaging laminations.

Our ProActive Renewable product line allows bio-based PE to be added to the sealant layer of conventional frozen food packaging laminations.

ProAmpac is an expert in high-performance solventless and solvent laminations to provide optimum graphics and high speed filling capabilities. Laminations can be constructed to withstand microwave conditions, providing consumers additional convenience when preparing frozen foods and sauces.

Pre-applied closures

• Inno-LOK® - Face-opening zipper is pre-applied to rollstock for easy integration of a reclose feature using current vertical form/fill/seal equipment.
• Pour & Lok™ - A pre-applied side-mounted reclose feature that enhances the consumer experience by allowing easy pouring and reclosing. Allows for easy integration on vertical form/fill/seal equipment.

High-Performance Paper Roll Stock

Engineered to run-on high-speed form, fill and seal equipment, our paper based rollstock is an excellent solution for frozen, dry food and ingredients such as mixes like flour, sugar, bakery mixes, oatmeal and others.

Available with numerous sustainable certifications, including How2Recycle prequalification for curbside recycling, BPI for Industrial compostable end of life, ProAmpac’s paper is sourced from responsibly managed forests. Our high-performance rollstock is ideal for packaging applications where heat sealing is required or when you are looking to downgauge packaging material but still require barrier.

• Printing Capabilities: Up to 10 colors
• Sizes: 1 ½ lbs to 12 lbs

PRO-LockNPeel® Peelable Sealant Film

We've engineered a lamination that delivers Over the Mountain (OTM) lock-up seal performance with a peelable top seal. LockNPeel enhances the retail consumer experience by providing an easy-open, hermetically sealed package with superior shelf appearance.

Features include:

• VFFS (Vertical Form-Fill-Seal) quad seal bag or traditional pillow bag applications
• Excellent operational efficiency with minor tooling modification (demonstrated improved line performance vs. competitive structure)
• Available in 2-ply and 3-ply laminations

PRO-VUE Shield® High Barrier Film

PRO-VUE Shield is a high-barrier film formulation specifically designed to protect flavors sensitive to oxygen. Its high clarity allows customers to see the freshness of the snack product while simultaneously allowing the display of eye-catching graphics. Designed for stand-up pouches, PRO-VUE Shield has excellent sealing and hot-tack properties for high-speed form/fill/finish applications.

Features & Benefits:

• Great oxygen barrier – ideal for modified atmospheric packaging (MAP) applications
• Low seal initiation temperature for high packaging speeds
• Excellent organoleptic properties - reduces risk of flavor taint
• Standard or high-definition flexographic printing
• Surface or reverse print available

PRO-WRAP® High Barrier Metallized Film

We manufacture our metalized coffee film for durability and flavor protection.

Features include:

• 2-ply adhesive lamination for durability
• Great oxygen barrier for flavor and aroma preservation
• Excellent ability to seal through contamination
• Exceptional seal and hot-tack properties for high-speed vertical form/fill/seal applications

As the largest worldwide supplier of lightweight polyethylene-coated papers for the single-serve food packaging market we can offer a broad range of solutions including Pro-Sachet packets. To visually capture your brand, our flexographic and offset printing processes can handle up to 10 colors, so images and complex artwork are never a problem.

Lightweight coated papers for single-serve grains, sugars and sweeteners. For enhanced shelf life of flavored products, PRO-SACHET is available with an EVOH oxygen barrier layer which is more environmentally sustainable than PVdC-coated papers.  Ideally suited for Oatmeal, dry foods, confectionary and many other applications.

Our PRO-FLEX films are specifically designed to support the needs of the natural chunk, retail shred and institutional shred cheese packaging markets.

All PRO-FLEX films include the following features:

• High-definition flexo printing
• Two-dimensional laser scoring for easy opening
• Film designed for high-speed filling

Natural Chunk Cheese Packaging

Our film — designed for high-speed applications and suitable for re-closable zipper applications — includes low-temperature sealant for high-speed horizontal applications and offers a high-barrier structure for modified atmosphere packaging.

Features include:

• Nylon outer that provides outstanding flex cracking and puncture-resistant properties
• Excellent seal/hot tack properties
• Outstanding machinability

Bulk Shredded Cheese Packaging

The PRO-FLEX film for 5-, 10- and 15-pound shred cheese is an abuse-resistant packaging film designed for bulk shredded cheese. This film has excellent hot tack properties for high-speed applications.

Features include:

• Excellent caulking
• Outstanding flex crack resistance

Retail Shred Cheese Packaging

We offer easy-open applications with in-house laser scoring, as well as re-sealable applications, including zippers.

Features include:

• Excellent seal/hot tack properties
• Exceptional flex crack resistance

The perfect packaging solution for bouillon stock cubes, butter, margarine, dripping, and any oil-based solid products.

ProAmpac's foil packaging provides a complete, impermeable barrier for a variety of fresh packed stick or chuck butters.  Our unique aluminum structure is made without intentionally adding per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and protects product integrity and improves shelf-life.  The foil has a strong flexible bond that will not delaminate, or curl as there is no inbuilt stress with the process. Our embossing process has been developed to give the best dead fold possible due to its mechanical properties. This in combination with very controlled slip value, ensures our foil runs smoothly, without issue on packing machines.

We use solventless adhesives as part of the makeup of the product which assists in generating excellent migration results. Our foil has been developed to be environmentally highly efficient, using lower energy during distribution therefore reducing the carbon footprint.

Whether you’re interested in shrink sleeves or shrink bundling, ProAmpac offers a full range of specialized, high-strength, co-extruded films that can ensure film usage is optimized. These films run high speed, single reed fed, twin feed and L sealer lines.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Barrier Coating for Paper. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

By using the latest developments in co-extruded technology, our films can be produced at much thinner levels offering significant yield improvement without compromising strength, stiffness, sealing and puncture resistance. ProAmpac’s high strength, co-extruded 30% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Shrink Films are exempt from the UK Plastic Packaging Tax of £200 per tonne.

The range also includes:

• Ultra-thin films down to 15mu
• Micro-perforated films
• High clarity presentation films
• Printed films (available in 30% PCR)
• Non-fusion secondary overwrap film (also available in a 30% PCR version)

Shrink Film Applications:

• Retail - multipack cans & bottles & boxes for food, drink & personal care applications
• Industrial – for doors, worktops, flooring, bedding, timber, insulation boards, radiators, bathroom panels, shower trays, paper, multi-packing toilet tissue & janitorial supplies

ProAmpac’s high-performance Gel Ice Film is proven to perform in applications where cold chain preservation is crucial.  Engineered with a wide operating window in form/fill/seal operations, ProAmpac Gel Ice Film is tough and puncture resistant to withstand even the most aggressive shipping conditions.  ProAmpac’s vertical integration allows full control of film extrusion and printing, providing you the highest quality available in the industry.  With multiple manufacturing locations we can easily service your growing gel ice needs.

Formats

• Printed or unprinted rollstock

Applications

• Gel ice packages for a variety of cold-chain applications including for meal kit delivery, home grocery delivery and pharmaceuticals

ProAmpac has extensive expertise producing large format, high strength liners and covers for a variety of food and non-food applications. ProAmpac has established a unique reputation with our customers for superior customer service, high quality performance, and technical support.

Our resin blends have been designed for high strength general purpose use in industrial and heavy-duty applications with variations in clarity and color applications available.

• Gauges 1.25 to 6 Mil (depending on liner size)
• 6- and 12-month UV shelf-life protection options
• Food applications:  all structures are FDA compliant
• Assorted color and clarity options
• Unprinted

BoneGuard is tough but flexible, allowing meat processors and packers added protection for their products.  Adding BoneGuard to your packaging procedure will both increase the quality and presentation of your finished product all whilst saving costs and decreasing leakers and spoilage.

Extra bone protection means processers can use thinner, lighter bags, decreasing plastic usage without worrying about punctures and leakage.

• Allows packers to use a lower micron bag increases the shrinkage percentage
• Greater drip and blood loss control
• Enhancing presentation on the finished product
• Reduces mold growth and darkening of the bone marrow
• Finished product keeps the same freshness as the day it was packed

North America’s biggest packaging show is right around the corner. The Converters Expo will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin on April 13th and 14th at the legendary Lambeau Field. Our Sierra Coating team will be at booth #A213, ready to welcome our old colleagues and connect with new show attendees.

We are looking forward to showcasing our full array of packaging services at the upcoming event. From initial concept to full-scale production, we cover a complete range of coating and laminating services. These include our cutting edge eco-friendly and high barrier coated paper, which combines superior product protection and sustainable packaging, and our food grade packaging and made-to-order products, which fulfill our customers’ most challenging specifications.

Education, Networking, and More

The Converters Expo is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for paper, plastic, film, and non-woven packagers and converters to meet industry buyers and suppliers. Last year’s event set a new record for attendance, and this spring’s expo is promising to be bigger than ever.

Over 75 exhibitors are already enrolled for the event, and attendee registration numbers continue to grow. Event attendees will have the opportunity to see the latest and most advanced products while learning from the industry’s top professionals. All participants will gain access unparalleled educational opportunities, including discussions about the newest trends, techniques, and advancements in the industry.

The following industries represent just a few of the exhibitors planning to present at the upcoming expo:

• Coating and lamination
• Folding and finishing
• Printing
• Automation
• Packaging, warehousing, shipping, and logistics

Sierra Coatings: Contract Manufacturing On Demand

In today’s on-demand world, contract manufacturing is booming. With a full range of coating treatments and lamination adhesive services available from companies like Sierra Coatings, customers no longer need to purchase their own equipment or build additional facilities to finish their products. As highlighted in a recent LinkedIn article, companies can leave this work to a contract manufacturer, thereby lowering costs and upfront investment while reaping the benefits of increased efficiency and streamlined production processes.

At Sierra Coatings, our services are an important manufacturing step for many customers whose products require films, paper, or nonwoven materials. Customers save time and money by letting us help with product development — no new machines required. With our highly advanced equipment, we can produce in any volume our customer needs — from prototypes to large scale runs.

We Look Forward to Meeting You

Learn more about our full range of coating and lamination services while networking at the largest expo in the industry of its kind, but be sure to sign up quickly before the event is full. Click here to register for the Converters Expo, or contact us today if you would like to find out more about our capabilities at Sierra Coating.

The need for paper coating is on the rise with online shopping as one driver in this increase. Each year during Thanksgiving weekend, shoppers are turning to their computers and cell phones more and more to find the perfect gift or the best deal. More online shopping means more packages to ship, and more paper to coat.

Paper coating demand is expected to rise to more than 3.2 million tons of material by from 2.4 million tons of material in , according to a new report from Smithers Pira, a leading expert in packaging, paper and print market trends worldwide.

This increase in demand is partially due to the need for more packaging per year, including packaging for items purchased online.

With more and more retail customers choosing to stay home to shop, packaging needs are on the rise. For example, Thanksgiving weekend in saw $11 billion in online sales from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday.

Adobe Systems’ market research also noted Cyber Monday hit a record high at $ billion in sales this past year. Evidently, shipping and packaging are on the rise, which correlates to paper coating increases, as well.

In general, more than 30 percent of paper-based packaging has some kind of coating as a barrier or as another function, and this statistic includes the 100 percent of liquid packaging requiring a coating. These paper coatings can be a compound or polymer to impart weight, gloss, or lower ink absorbency on the paper surface.

As one of the most advanced paper coating companies in the industry, we plan to continue providing the best service and products in coatings. Three coaters help us support industry needs–two that are equipped with flotation dryers and one that is equipped with hot melt gravure coating.

Our wide web coaters can work with paper rolls as large as 62 inches wide. These same coaters are specially designed for low or high coating weights. Methods include the following:

• Gravure
• Direct reverse gravure
• Offset gravure
• Roll coating
• Offset pattern
• One color offset print
• Pan with trailing blade and roll coating
• Slot die

Our Hot Melt Coater and Laminator can use an offset gravure coating method. Its thermoplastic melting point is at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, or 149 degrees Celsius. Overall, our equipment is capable of laminating multiple layers of similar or different substrates.

Specific food-grade paper and our FDA-approved coating surfaces can be produced to the most specific of formats and requests for various packaging coating purposes.

With the paper, packaging and coating industries only expanding, Sierra Coating Technologies is ready to help with projects of many sizes and difficulty. Having already worked successfully on dry food packaging coating many times, we know the best procedures and back them with quality work and industry standard adherence.

Whether it is for mass production of paper coating for packages containing liquid products or for other packaging needs, Contact our team today to learn more about how we can help you with your coating needs.

Blister Packs: Fold-Over &Two-Part Cards

Blister packs are an important part of the marketing and packaging of consumer goods.

There are three primary types of blister packaging used for consumer goods:

1. Clear molded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blister affixed to a simple blister card backing by way of a heat seal coating. These are inexpensive and easy to produce but offer little in the way of security against theft.
2. Clear molded PVC clamshell with an informational blister card inserted inside. This type of very secure blister pack is an excellent theft deterrent but can be difficult for customers to open.
3. Blister pack, which Sierra Coating specializes in manufacturing, is a middle ground between single card and clamshell types. A double blister card — either a fold-over or two-part card — with a hole for a blister die cut out of one side. A blister is placed into the hole, the product is placed into the blister, and the backing card is placed over that. The cards are heat sealed together, keeping the blister back in place. This type of blister packaging provides theft-protection while also easing the way for consumers to open the package.

Blister Cards from Sierra Coating

Sierra coats paperboard with water-based heat seal coatings that can be made into fold-over and two-part blister cards. Sierra assists with selecting the right paperboard and heat seal coating to meet a customer’s exact requirements. Our blister card paperboard is a highly versatile addition to blister pack packaging, an already versatile product. Blister card paperboard from Sierra Coating offers a number of benefits for your brand owner customers.

Enhanced Protective Features

Switching from molded PVC clamshells to fold-over or two-part blister cards does not have to equate to reduced security for your customers. In fact, our paperboard offers a number of protective features.

When Sierra coats heat seal on paperboard for blister cards, we aim to meet customer specifications for lasting bonds with PVC, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and other blister pack materials. If your customer’s brand requires additional protections, such as damage from moisture, additional coatings and laminations are also available.

Fold-over and two-part blister packaging is also an excellent theft deterrent; such packaging is an economical way to increase the size of your customers’ product, therefore making it harder to hide during a theft attempt. This is particularly useful for very small but high-value products, such as memory cards.

Furthermore, the nature of heat sealing the blister pack edges between two blister cards secures the blister pack firmly, discouraging in-store opening attempts without overcomplicating the opening process for consumers accessing properly acquired products. Fold-over paperboard can be coated with an anti-tear film to increase its resiliency, and two-part paperboard is available as thick as 32-point, making it naturally tear resistant.

Product Innovations

Two-part and fold-over blister cards are innovative packaging solutions for commercial printers and their brand owner customers. They effectively bridge the gap between the low production cost of single card blister packs and high performance attributes of clamshells, provide excellent surface area on which to display your customers’ marketing and branding imagery, make it easy to package and display uniquely shaped products that do not stand on their own, and provide the strength needed to hang even heavy products.

Sustainability

All blister card paperboard from Sierra Coating can be made recyclable at the customer’s wishes. Switching from clamshell to paper-based blister card not only increases branding capabilities for your customers but also reduces their petroleum-based plastic use for packaging by 50% or more.

Learn More

Fold-over and two-part blister pack backing cards are highly versatile, commonly used for individually packaged consumer products of small size, high value, considerable weight, and unique shape. They are fully customizable, strong, and can be hung for enhanced display.

To learn how blister card paperboard from Sierra Coating can help you best serve your brand owner customers, download our free eBook, “The Financial Case for Contract Manufacturing.” To learn more about our blister packs, or our other product offerings such as heat seal packs or heat seal coated board, contact us today.

Digital & Ink Jet Coatings

Print & Digital Print Coating Treatments

Originally a coater of carbonless paper and inkjet papers, Sierra now manufactures products in 18 unique market segments.

Private Label Inkjet Paper

Sierra has produced private label inkjet paper since , working with partners to develop products for the end consumer. As a contract manufacturer, Sierra manufactures many types and targeted applications of specialty inkjet paper.
As printers move to new digital technologies, treatments are needed for very specific base papers. Often these papers do not justify the added cost of a coating station for their digital press. This is where Sierra comes in — we can treat base papers to fill out a product offering that would not otherwise justify the capital of an in-house coating operation.

Digital HP Indigo Printers

Sierra is a paper and film coater for the high-speed HP® Indigo printers. Our coaters apply recommended primer coatings that increase printer performance and have passed multiple certifications for use in HP Indigo equipment. For more information about this project, visit our “Projects” section.

Print Primers and Treatments

The treatment of roll-to-roll web products for printing stock has always been one of Sierra Coating’s leading offerings. There are so many papers and films that need treatments and primers to meet the quality and printability of major customers.
Some coatings are just decoration while others have functions, like opacity or abrasion resistance. The function of a coating is important to the end-use and generally is not available in paper straight off of the machine. With years of innovative trials, Sierra has a complete portfolio of options that can create a real advantage for digital printers.
Sierra applies coatings to create high-performance substrates. We engineer custom materials by coating and laminating a variety of films, papers, and synthetic materials while meeting your high-performance specifications.
We can help you develop coated substrates with properties and functions such as:

• Abrasion resistant
• Adhesives
• Anti-microbial
• Anti-static
• Anti-skid/anti-slip
• Barrier
• Chemical resistance
• Packaging cohesive materials
• Decoration
• Flame retardant
• Hard coats
• Heat seal
• Opaque/opacity
• Print receptive
• Silicone release
• Slip
• Paper or film tapes

Coatings include aqueous coatings, 100% solids, hot melt, solvent-less, waterborne, and color concentrates. Let us help you with your paper coating needs today — contact Sierra Coating to learn more.

Toll & Contract Manufacturing

Toll manufacturing and contract manufacturing are two relatively similar forms of supply chain management that are often misunderstood and confused. While both of these manufacturing options have distinct and clear characteristics, their most strategic advantage is their ability to provide customers with valuable ways to save both time and capital on their product development.

RELATED: Toll Manufacturing versus Contract Manufacturing

In toll manufacturing, one company provides raw materials (or semi-finished goods) to a third-party, who will then provide the rest of the services (manufacturing). Typically, the third-party company will already have particular equipment and organizational models in place, and they can supply subclasses of manufacturing processes for the first company for a fee – or toll.

As a toll manufacturer, Sierra® can provide customers with a facility and manufacturing equipment to process their raw materials or semi-finished products. Because of this, the customer only has a variable cost of manufacturing without the financial investment in equipment, facilities, and employees.

With toll manufacturing, product development and product line extensions are expedited by the use of Sierra’s manufacturing process. Subsequently, the customer is able to develop products they envision, without the time and capital investment of building a manufacturing operation. This significantly decreases the time required to get the product to market, as lead times for ordering and installing new machinery are eliminated.

At Sierra Coating, customers are able to supply one or more of the raw materials needed for production or, if the customer prefers, the Sierra Coating team can supply the materials.

Though contract manufacturing is similar to toll manufacturing, there are some key differences between the two. Similar to toll manufacturing, contract manufacturing involves outsourcing production processes to a third-party company. In contract manufacturing, however, the third-party company hired to produce the goods is supplying the manufacturing process as well as sourcing all of the raw materials. Contract manufacturing is creating a supply chain vendor for a branded, private label or custom-made product. The contract manufacturer is responsible for making the product to specification and meeting the delivery time requirements. This offers the customer a fast and effective method of extending their product line with minimal investment and a made-to-order supply program.

Block-Out and Color Adhesives

Though primarily used to bond two or more layers of paper (or another substrate) in a lamination, adhesives are sometimes required to serve other purposes as well. A common example is packaging and products that require extra security or opacity. Sierra can add colors, including black (for a block-out adhesive), to all of our standard adhesives to add a layer of security.

Common Uses of Block-Out Adhesives

By combining a specific paper caliper with black glue, we can make products, such as:

• Retail aisle banners
• Playing and trading cards
• Large-format signs

Black glue has been used for years to prevent backside print from showing through in bright lighting. This type of block-out glue was originally used for playing cards to prevent players from seeing their opponents’ cards. Today, printers most commonly use black-colored block-out adhesives for aisle banners and window signs to prevent the backside image from showing through.

Color Adhesives for Security Applications

Colored glues are frequently used to safeguard against counterfeit tickets. Sierra has experience manufacturing the following color adhesive products:

• Ticket stocks, for counterfeit protection
• Retail tags, for branding and brand verification
• Shipping labels, for opacity and tamper detection/prevention
• Aisle banners
• Playing cards
• Security tickets

Besides increasing the opacity of paper products, colored glue is also used in laminations to help reduce fraud in labeling. By matching the brand color, colored glue works as a discreet indicator of a legitimate brand tag — employees and consumers alike can look at the edge of a label to verify the adhesive color of the tag and, therefore, the brand itself.

Choosing the Right Materials

Sierra meticulously selects adhesives for the wet or dry laminating of finished roll goods, working closely with our clients to choose materials that will best suit their final application. Permanent adhesives are fully dried to create a bond that causes fiber tear if unwanted separation is attempted, and the moisture level of the finished lamination is controlled to ensure even coverage.

With extensive experience toll manufacturing custom laminations, we pride ourselves on providing reliable, dependable service as an industry-leading paper and paperboard lamination specialist. To learn more, contact our team today.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Barrier Coating for Paper Cups.