How to Print on Mylar Bags? (2 Best Methods)

Mylar bags are a great option for packaging products, but what if you want to add a personal touch or branding? Look no further because we’ll be delving into “How to Print on Mylar Bags ?”.

From choosing the right ink to finding the perfect printer, we’ll cover all the tips and tricks you need to know to make your Mylar bags truly unique.

Table of Contents

What are mylar bags, and what are they made of?

Mylar bags are plastic bags manufactured from polyester film. Due to their ability to keep out moisture and light, they are frequently used for storing and preserving food.

As an alternative, they can encase anything that must be kept safe from the elements, such as electronic parts. Mylar bags are well-known for their longevity, adaptability, and ability to keep out air and moisture.

Mylar bags can be recycled, but most curbside recycling programs won’t take them because the multi-layer material is too difficult to sort.

Reusing mylar bags or taking them to a recycling center that accepts them is the most environmentally friendly option for getting rid of them.

Mylar bags should be used with care, and when they’re no longer needed, they should be recycled or disposed of in an eco-friendly manner.

How to print on mylar bags at Home?

Printing on mylar bags involves several methods, like flexography and offset printing.

Still, these methods are very costly because an average flexography machine is nearly ($10000) and offset print requires some commercial-scale machinery for printing.

Not only that, but these methods also require a lot of labor work. So keeping that in mind, two methods can be cost-efficient.

Drop-on-Demand (Inkjet Printing)
Sublimation (Heat Press)

Method 1 . Drop-on-Demand :

The drop-on-demand printing method on mylar bags uses a specialized inkjet printer to deposit minute ink droplets onto the mylar material’s surface.

You require a few things to do this process:

Mylar bags:
Inkjet printer: ( It should be capable of printing on the size of bags you need.)
Ink: (It’s recommended to use water- or solvent-based inks specifically designed for printing on plastic materials. If you’re making it for food storage, it should also be edible.)
Software: (To create the design you want to print on the mylar bags)
Cleaning materials:( To prepare the surface of the mylar bags before printing)
Inspection tools: (To inspect the printed bags to ensure the quality as expected)

Typically, the procedure consists of the following steps:

– Clean the mylar bags:

Remove any dust or dirt from the surface of the mylar bags before proceeding.

This can be accomplished with either a lint-free cloth or compressed air.

You can also use a lint roller or adhesive tape to remove excess dust and debris.

– Prepare the design:

Create a software application to print the design on the mylar bags. Ensure that the design’s format and dimensions are compatible with the printer.

– Load the mylar bags into the printer:

Open the printer’s feed tray. Depending on the model, this could be in the top, front, or back of the printer.

Place the mylar bags onto the printer’s feed tray with care. Make sure the printed side of the mylar bags faces up in the tray.

– Adjust the printer settings:

Check the printer manual for the settings for printing on mylar material. Adjust the settings for the type of mylar bags you use and the desired print quality.

Some inkjet printers have a “draft” mode for fast printing and a “photo” mode for high-quality prints.

Use the “photo” mode for mylar bags and select the correct color profile for the mylar material you are using.

– Print the design:

Apply the design on the mylar bags using the printer’s software. Ensure there are no issues with the printer by keeping an eye on it while it operates.

– Inspect the printed bags:

Once the printing is complete, inspect the printed bags to ensure that the design is correct and that the print quality is as expected.

Make adjustments to the printer settings and repeat the printing process if necessary.

– Dry the bags:

Allow the printed bags to dry completely before storing or packaging them. Mylar bags may take longer to dry than other materials, so allow enough time for the ink to dry completely.

Method 2. Sublimation printing:

You can give your mylar bags a one-of-a-kind look and feel by having them printed with your designs using the sublimation printing method.

Mylar bags are ideal for sublimation printing since they are a type of material that can resist extremely high temperatures.

This method involves exposing the ink to high temperatures to transform it into a gas and attach it to the mylar surface.

Material List:

Sublimation printer
Sublimation ink
Heat transfer paper
Heat press
Mylar bags
Protective cover sheet (Teflon Sheet)

– Design Creation:

The First step is to use a design application, like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, to develop your layout.

To get the best results from your mylar bags, you need to ensure your design is the right size for them and that the resolution is set to at least 300 dpi.

The printing industry has settled on this resolution as the gold standard because it guarantees the highest possible output quality.

– Print your Design:

Sublimation ink can print your design directly onto heat transfer paper. Sublimation ink is required since standard printer ink is incompatible with the heat transfer technique.

– Cut the Design:

Leave a small border around the edges of the design you cut out of the heat transfer paper.

This border will help keep the design in place while transferring. For a neat final product, it’s important to cut the design cleanly.

– Ready the Heat press:

Set the heat press to the right temperature for mylar bags and heat it.

Most of the time, this will be between 380 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s important to remember that different types of mylar bags may need to be heated at different temperatures.

– Place the mylar bag:

Arrange the heat transfer design on the mylar bag, then place the bag in the heat press. Center and align the design. This will ensure the pattern is centered on the bag and looks good from every angle.

– Place protective Sheet:

Put the protective cover sheet over the design to keep it from sticking to the heat press. Most of the time, the cover sheet is a Teflon sheet, which keeps the design from sticking to the heat press and ensures the heat is spread evenly.

– Apply Heat pressure:

Use the heat press for the right time to heat and press on the design.

This will depend on the type of mylar bag you use, but it is usually between 15 and 30 seconds.

It is important to keep an eye on the time because going over or under the time will cause the design to burn or not be transferred.

– Remove protective cover:

Carefully remove the protective cover sheet and allow the design to cool for a few seconds. This will allow the design to be set properly and make it easier to peel the transfer paper.

– Remove transfer paper:

Carefully peel the transfer paper from the mylar bag to reveal the printed design. It’s important to be gentle when peeling off the transfer paper to ensure the design is not damaged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What type of printer do I need to print on mylar bags?

You will need a thermal transfer printer, which uses heat to move the ink from the paper to the mylar.

Thermal transfer printing is a way to print where heat is used to melt the ink on a ribbon, which is then transferred to the mylar bag.

This is a common print method on mylar bags because it makes high-quality prints that won’t fade or get smudged.

Q: Can I print on both sides of the mylar bag?

Yes, you can print on both sides of the mylar bag, but you’ll have to turn the bag over and print the other separately.

This means you will need to print on one side of the bag, flip it over, and then print on the other. It would be best to use a different printing plate for each side to avoid confusion.

Q: Can I use regular ink, or do I need special ink for mylar bags?

You will need special ink for thermal transfer printing and mylar. These links are made to stand up to heat and stick well to the mylar. If you use regular ink, your prints might smudge, fade, or be poorly quality.

Q: What is the best way to clean a mylar bag before printing?

Mylar bags must be cleaned before they can be printed to get the best print quality. Use a lint roller or sticky tape to clean the mylar bag’s surface of dirt and dust.

Cleaning the bag’s surface removes any dust or other things that could get in the printing process. This will ensure the print is clear, clean, and easy to read.

Q: What is the recommended resolution for printing on mylar bags?

For the best print quality on mylar bags, you should print at a resolution of at least 300 dpi. The print will have more details the higher the resolution. This is especially important when printing images or small text on mylar bags.

Q: Can I print full-color images on mylar bags?

Yes, you can print full-color pictures on mylar bags. However, you will need a thermal transfer printer and special ink made for mylar. For full-color images, thermal transfer printing uses four-color plates, one each for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

Q: How long will the print last on a mylar bag?

The print can last for years if a mylar bag is kept in a cool, dry place. But it’s best to stay out of the sun or extreme temperatures for a long time.

The print on a mylar bag won’t fade, smudge, or get damaged by water. However, the print can fade over time if it’s exposed to sunlight or heat.

The print will last as long as possible if you store the bags somewhere cool and dry.

Conclusion

It is wrong to say that you can print on mylar bags easily because this process can take time and seem difficult to do, and it can also be messed up if it’s your first time.

But if you have the right tools and technique, you should be reassured and follow the procedure. I hope I’ve covered the topic and you now understand better “how to print on mylar bags” for the future.

How to Print on Mylar Bags? (2 Best Methods)