How to Choose the Right
Lidding Film for Your Tray

Why Lidding Film Selection is Critical

Choosing the wrong lidding film is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes in food tray packaging. The wrong film can result in:

• Poor seal integrity (leaks, contamination)
• Film that tears instead of peeling cleanly
• Condensation obscuring product visibility in cold storage
• Film that won't seal to your specific tray material
• Incompatibility with your sealing machine parameters

This guide walks through the key decisions to make when selecting a lidding film.

Step 1: Identify Your Tray Material

The most important factor is the tray material. Different tray materials require different sealing layers in the lidding film:

• PP (Polypropylene) trays: Require CPP (cast polypropylene) or special adhesive sealing layer. Common for ready meals, salads, and deli products.
• PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) trays: Require PETG or modified PET sealing layer. Common in premium fresh food retail.
• CPET (Crystallized PET) trays: Used for ovenable ready meals. Requires specific high-temperature sealants.
• PS (Polystyrene) trays: Less common, require PS-compatible sealing layer.

Step 2: Do You Need Peelable or Non-Peelable?

Peelable Lidding Film

Peelable films are designed for consumer-facing packaging where easy opening is required. The sealing layer is engineered to provide a controlled peel — strong enough to maintain package integrity during transport and retail, but easy enough for consumers to open cleanly.

• Recommended for: ready meals, fresh meat trays, salads, fruit & vegetable trays
• Peel force: typically 8–20 N/15mm (adjustable)
• Clean peel: no adhesive residue on tray

Non-Peelable (Heat-Seal) Lidding Film

Non-peelable films form a permanent, hermetic seal — the film cannot be peeled and must be cut or torn. Used for industrial packaging, MAP packaging with long shelf life, or products where tamper-evidence is required.

• Recommended for: industrial food service, long-shelf-life MAP products
• Higher seal strength: ≥ 40 N/15mm
• Superior hermetic seal for gas-flushed packaging

Step 3: Do You Need Anti-Fog?

If your product will be stored in a refrigerator or displayed in chilled open cases, anti-fog lidding film is essential. Without it, condensation forms on the inside of the film, obscuring product visibility and reducing retail appeal.

• Required for: fresh meat, salads, cut fruits & vegetables, dairy
• Anti-fog performance: ≥72 hours at 4°C
• Can be combined with peelable functionality

Step 4: Sealing Temperature

Your sealing machine sets a fixed sealing temperature (or range). The lidding film must seal reliably within your machine's operating range:

• Most tray sealers operate at 150–200°C
• PET/PE films: seal at 120–160°C
• PET/CPP films: seal at 160–200°C

If you're getting inconsistent seals or the film is delaminating, the sealing temperature and dwell time may need adjustment. Our team can advise on the correct parameters for your machine.

Step 5: Printing and Branding

Lidding film is highly visible at retail — it's the first thing the consumer sees. Printed lidding film with your brand, product information, and nutritional data enhances shelf presence and justifies premium pricing. We offer:

• Up to 10-color gravure printing
• All lidding film types available with printing
• OEM and private label support
• Artwork service available

Quick Selection Guide

Your Requirement	Recommended Film
PP tray, chilled display, easy open	Peelable + Anti-fog Lidding Film (PP compatible)
PET tray, premium retail	Peelable Lidding Film for PET Tray
Fresh meat, 14-day shelf life	Anti-fog + High Barrier (EVOH) Lidding Film
Ready meals, microwave	Peelable Lidding Film (CPET or PP tray)
MAP packaging (gas flush)	MAP Lidding Film (high barrier, hermetic)
Branding & retail shelf appeal	Printing Lidding Film (custom artwork)