Design Considerations

The first step in designing a package is to determine its function and role in the marketing process. But there are other factors, such as the need to integrate with a particular manufacturing process, that should be considered as well. The more information that is provided to a thermoforming machine, the more accurate the design recommendation and cost estimate will be.

Material Selection

A wide variety of thermoplastics and specialty polymers are available to meet specific application needs. Some of the more popular ones include:

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PETG)

Polypropylene (PP)

High-impact polystyrene (HIPS)

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

Material selection is affected by several variables, including clarity (clear or opaque), impact resistance, sealing techniques, operating and environmental temperatures, exposure to contaminants, budgetary constraints and end use. Ship- ping is also a consideration. An especial- ly durable material may be required if rough handling or extreme temperatures are anticipated during shipping. If the package is to be shipped empty, special features, such as denesting lugs, can be included in the design to facilitate handling and loading.