Direct answer
Metal, but not foil
Foil is a self-supporting metal web. Metallization deposits a much thinner layer onto a polymer film. The result keeps the handling characteristics of film while adding a reflective layer. This difference affects dead-fold, pinhole behavior, opacity, barrier, stiffness, and converting.
What can damage barrier
Scratches, flex cracking, poor metal adhesion, rough handling, aggressive converting, and package folds can affect the continuity of the deposited layer. Barrier values from pristine flat film may not describe a heavily flexed finished package.
- Ask whether the data is for the base film or finished laminate.
- Check light barrier and product visibility needs.
- Consider eye-mark detection and metal-detection interactions with the full line.
- Validate the package after converting.
Appearance is not performance
Two films can look similarly silver and have different base polymers, optical density, coatings, barrier, sealability, and bond behavior. A photo can identify a metallic appearance, not the construction.
Questions buyers ask
Is metallized film recyclable?
Metallization alone does not provide a yes/no answer. The base film, laminate, coatings, inks, package design, and recycling-program rules all matter.
Can you see through metallized film?
It is generally opaque or highly reflective, but light transmission depends on the metal layer and film. Windows require a different design approach.
See something that needs correcting? Tell Matt.