Glossary
A dictionary of food packaging terms for F&B businesses — from food-grade paper types, packaging formats and custom print terms to ordering terms such as MOQ and lead time. Still unsure about something? Check our FAQ or ask us directly on WhatsApp.
The paper types and coatings used in food packaging.
Paper made specifically to be safe in direct contact with food — it does not release harmful substances into the food. Every SEALPAK product uses food-grade paper.
Strong brown paper with a natural character. Popular for paper bags and sticker labels that need an eco or rustic look.
Paper with a smooth, glossy coating that gives sharp, vivid colour printing — commonly used for full-colour custom print packaging.
White paperboard with one coated (smooth) side and one uncoated side. Widely used for food packaging because it is sturdy and looks clean.
Paperboard with a white printing side and a grey back. An economical option, usually for secondary packaging or outer boxes.
An economical paper sticker material with a glossy surface and sharp print results — a budget-friendly choice for packaging labels. One of the sticker materials available at SEALPAK.
A plastic-based sticker material that resists water and oil — labels won't peel or smudge when cold-drink packaging gets condensation on it.
A sticker material with a silvery metallic surface that gives packaging labels a premium look.
A thin layer of food-grade polyethylene on the inside of paper packaging that makes it leakproof against sauces and oil — used in SEALPAK's Paper Lunch Box, among others.
Oil-resistant paper: oil from fried food, burgers or pastries doesn't soak through. SEALPAK uses it for Food Wrapping Paper and Paper Bags.
The main food packaging formats and what they are called.
A paper meal box for rice boxes (nasi kotak), dim sum and snack boxes. SEALPAK's Paper Lunch Box comes in sizes S, M and L.
A lunch box with internal partitions (4 or 5 compartments) to keep rice and side dishes apart — ideal for bento and premium catering. See SEALPAK's Lunchbox Compartment.
A paper bowl for soup, noodles, rice bowls, salads and desserts. SEALPAK's Paper Bowl comes in 650ml, 800ml and 1000ml.
A paper cup for both hot and cold drinks. SEALPAK's Paper Cup comes in 8oz (±240 ml) and 12oz (±355 ml).
An open paper container for fries, fried chicken and street food. SEALPAK's Food Tray comes in sizes S, M and L (custom print).
Paper for wrapping burgers, sandwiches and pastries — also commonly used as a tray liner. SEALPAK's Food Wrapping Paper: 23x23, 30x30 and 33x50 cm.
A flat paper bag with no side folds — ideal for single items such as bread, pastries or cookies.
A paper bag with side folds (gussets), so it holds larger portions than a flat bag.
A flat-bottomed paper bag that stands up on its own — the sturdiest style, well suited to fried chicken and large takeaway orders.
A flexible paper box shaped to fit the product — one of the formats that can be made through SEALPAK's Custom Packaging service.
A packaging box with a built-in handle on top — easy to carry without an extra bag.
An outer band or wrap that goes around a container (a sleeve + tray combination) — it adds branding space without changing the container itself.
Adhesive labels for sealing and branding packaging. SEALPAK's Stickers / Labels come in cromo, vinyl, kraft and silver metalized materials.
A general term for disposable food-serving supplies — cups, bowls, lunch boxes, trays and the like.
Terms you will come across when ordering custom print packaging.
Packaging printed with your own brand design or logo. At SEALPAK, custom print is available from 1,000 pcs for every product.
The unprinted version of a package. SEALPAK's plain products are sold with no minimum order — 25 pcs per pack (Lunchbox Compartment) or 50 pcs per pack (Paper Lunch Box, Paper Bowl, Paper Cup).
The final print-ready design file — logo, colours and text — that custom packaging production follows.
Final sign-off on the artwork before it goes into production. SEALPAK's production lead time is counted from this step.
A technical template showing the packaging's cut and fold lines — a guide for placing the design so the print lines up precisely once the package is formed.
Cutting material to a specific shape or outline, for example a sticker cut to the shape of a logo.
The print colour mode (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) used for full-colour packaging production — unlike RGB, which is used for screens.
The final treatment of the printed surface — such as glossy or matte (doff) lamination — for appearance and durability.
A production model in which a manufacturer makes products that are sold under another party's brand — a good fit for resellers and distributors who want their own packaging line.
A visual preview of a packaging design, as a 3D render or photo, before production — it helps make sure the design looks right in its final form.
Terms around MOQ, lead time and capacity.
The minimum order quantity set by a manufacturer. At SEALPAK: plain products have no minimum order (sold per pack), and custom print starts from 1,000 pcs.
The time from order confirmation until the goods are ready. SEALPAK's custom print lead time is generally 14–21 working days after artwork approval — a general estimate, not a guarantee.
The maximum quantity that can be produced per period. SEALPAK's total capacity is 2,969,500 pcs per month and can be scaled up to around 5.5 million pcs per month.
The sales unit for SEALPAK's plain products: 25 pcs per pack for the Lunchbox Compartment, 50 pcs per pack for the Paper Lunch Box, Paper Bowl and Paper Cup.
Routinely reordering the same product — a common pattern for the monthly packaging needs of F&B businesses.
A party that buys products to sell them on. SEALPAK runs a reseller programme with special pricing and customer protection.
Usaha Mikro, Kecil, dan Menengah — Indonesia's micro, small and medium enterprises. The food businesses in this segment benefit most from plain products with no minimum order.
A kitchen dedicated to delivery orders, with no dine-in area. It relies heavily on packaging that keeps food safe in transit — leakproof and oil-resistant.
Safety and material certification terms for packaging.
Safe to heat in a microwave. SEALPAK packaging (lunch boxes, bowls, cups, trays, food wrapping paper, paper bags) is microwave safe up to 100°C for 1 minute.
The inner lining of the packaging holds back sauces and oil so they don't soak through the paper. Applies to SEALPAK's Lunchbox Compartment, Paper Lunch Box, Paper Bowl, Paper Cup and Food Tray.
Food and Drug Administration — the United States food and drug regulator. SEALPAK's paper raw materials are FDA certified (certification from the material supplier).
Certification that a material is halal. SEALPAK's paper raw materials are Halal certified (certification from the material supplier) — certificates are available on request.
Can be processed back into new material. SEALPAK packaging is paper-based and can be recycled.
Got the Terms Down?
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