Pet food packaging does more than hold kibble. It protects freshness, ensures safe transport, and reflects your brand. One wrong choice in material or size can cost you shelf life and customer trust.
Smaller pet food packs (under 5kg) are best in laminated film pouches1. For heavier loads, laminated woven bags2 offer better strength and lower cost. For large multilayer film bags3, nylon layers are essential for puncture resistance4.
In my experience helping pet food brands scale up, I’ve seen firsthand how packaging weight impacts material performance. Let me break it down for you.
Woven bag or laminated film composite bag – which is better for pet food?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The “best” choice depends on your product weight, supply chain, and branding goals.
Laminated film composite bags work well for small weights with high shelf appeal. Woven bags win for large weights thanks to strength and cost efficiency.
Dive Deeper: Comparing woven vs film bags
| Feature | Laminated Film Composite Bag | Laminated Woven Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Barrier performance | Excellent (oxygen, moisture) | Moderate (needs inner film layer) |
| Strength | Moderate (good for <5kg) | High (ideal for 5kg–25kg) |
| Puncture resistance | Low to moderate | High |
| Printability | Excellent | Moderate (can use BOPP lamination5) |
| Cost per unit | Higher for large sizes | Lower for heavy weights |
| Best use case | Premium small packs (1kg–5kg) | Bulk packs (10kg–25kg) |
Film bags look premium, support rich designs, and give strong shelf appeal. But for 10kg or more, they may break under weight. That’s where woven laminated bags shine.
Tip: If you still want to use film for big bags (like 15–20kg), add a nylon layer. It boosts strength and prevents puncture during transport.
How should I choose packaging material by weight?
Weight is the first factor in packaging choice. The heavier the content, the stronger the material must be.
Under 5kg: PET/VMPET/PE film6 pouches are ideal. Over 10kg: laminated woven bags2 or nylon-reinforced films are a better choice.
Dive Deeper: Common material structures by weight
| Bag Weight | Suggested Material | Barrier | Strength | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500g–1kg | PET/VMPET/PE | High | Moderate | Good for premium dry food |
| 2kg–5kg | PET/AL/PE or BOPP/VMPET/LLDPE | High | Higher | Heat sealable, printable |
| 10kg–15kg | Woven PP + PE laminated film | Medium | Strong | Cost-effective, bulk friendly |
| 20kg–25kg | PET/NY/PE or Woven + nylon liner | High | Very strong | Best for export, puncture resistant |
Most pet food brands use flexible packaging up to 5kg. But once you go higher, the load-bearing requirements increase significantly.
I always remind new clients: don’t push film beyond its comfort zone unless you reinforce it.
Packaging design considerations for pet food
Design is more than visuals. In pet food, design means how the bag performs in storage, transport, and daily use.
A good design balances structure, functionality, and branding. Use zipper, handle, valve, or spout when necessary.
Dive Deeper: What I include in design planning
1. Bag shape and structure
- Stand-up pouch – ideal for 1kg or less.
- Flat-bottom pouch – good for shelf presence (1kg–5kg).
- Block bottom woven bag – best for 10kg–25kg.
2. Closure options
- Zipper: Keeps freshness in, especially for frequent use.
- Slider zip: Adds convenience and premium feel.
- Heat seal only: Best for one-time use or commercial bulk.
3. User comfort
- Add handles for large bags.
- Include tear notches or easy-open features.
4. Brand visibility
- Use matte finish, spot UV, or metallic inks on film for premium look.
- BOPP laminated woven bags2 support good color printing (though not as sharp as PET).
When I guide brands on packaging design, I focus on both function and feel. The bag has to perform, but also communicate trust.
What are the requirements for pet food packaging?
To keep pet food fresh and safe, the packaging must meet basic performance criteria.
Good pet food packaging resists air, moisture, odor, and tearing. It must also support safe sealing and meet food contact regulations.
Dive Deeper: Key functional needs
| Requirement | Why it matters | Recommended material/feature |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen barrier | Prevents spoilage, off-odor, rancidity | AL foil or metallized PET |
| Moisture barrier | Keeps kibble dry and crispy | PE or LLDPE inner layer |
| Puncture resistance | Avoid tears during shipping | Nylon, woven PP, or reinforced seams |
| Seal integrity | Prevents leaks and re-contamination | Heat sealable films or liners |
| Printability | Drives consumer decision at shelf | BOPP, PET, or matte lamination |
| Food-grade safety | Required for direct contact | FDA/EC compliant7 inner layer |
If a client wants to export to the US or EU, I always check for FDA or EU 10/2011 compliance on the food contact layer.
Conclusion
Different weights of pet food need different packaging materials.
Small bags need multilayer film pouches with strong barrier.
Large bags work best with laminated woven structures or reinforced films with nylon.
Always choose based on weight, strength, barrier, and branding needs.
That's how I help brands package smarter and safer.
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Explore how laminated film pouches can enhance freshness and shelf appeal for small pet food packs. ↩
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Learn why laminated woven bags are cost-effective and strong for larger pet food packages. ↩ ↩ ↩
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Discover the benefits of multilayer film bags for protecting pet food during transport. ↩
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Understand the importance of puncture resistance in ensuring the safety of pet food during shipping. ↩
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Learn about BOPP lamination and its impact on printability and shelf appeal. ↩
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Find out how PET/VMPET/PE film provides high barrier properties for pet food. ↩
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Understand the significance of FDA/EC compliance for safe pet food packaging. ↩
