What Is Cellophane? Film Types and How It Differs From Nylon
Packaging cellophane types: clear, matte, metallised and pearlescent. OPP material, cellophane versus polyethylene, CPP film, and why it is sold by the kilo.
By Alireza Ahmadi, Production line specialist
Cellophane is a film made from regenerated cellulose and is still manufactured. In Iranian packaging trade, the word is also used for polypropylene films such as OPP. This guide explains that naming distinction and the polypropylene rolls and bags sold by Navid, including clear, matte, metallised and pearlescent finishes.
Regenerated cellulose film has not disappeared: Futamura continues to manufacture Cellophane films. OPP is a different material, oriented polypropylene. When ordering across markets, specify the polymer and grade rather than relying on the trade name. The packaging products discussed below are the polypropylene range in the Navid catalogue.
What is packaging cellophane made of?
The OPP products discussed here are oriented polypropylene: film stretched during manufacture so it comes out clearer, glossier and more resistant than cast film. Orientation is what gives it the glass-like look that makes a product sell from the shelf, and it is also why the film is stiff rather than stretchy.
What types of packaging cellophane are there?
| Finish | Appearance | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | Glossy, fully transparent | Wherever the product itself has to be seen |
| Matte | No gloss, velvet touch | Premium packs and brands wanting a quieter face |
| Metallised | Mirror silver | Crisps and snacks; a barrier against moisture and light |
| Pearlescent | Pearl white | Chocolate and confectionery |
All four take print up to 10 colours and come two ways: rolls for packing machinery, and ready-made bags for hand filling. Specifications and available formats are on the packaging cellophane page.
Cellophane or nylon: which one?
The OPP film called cellophane in this catalogue is clear and relatively stiff. The material called nylon in Iranian bag trading is usually polyethylene, not technical nylon (polyamide). Polyethylene bags are generally more flexible, and carries weight and impact better. The short rule: cellophane to display a product, polyethylene to carry one. The full comparison is in cellophane versus nylon.
What is CPP film and where is it used?
CPP is polypropylene film made by casting rather than orientation. Suitable grades are used as heat-sealing layers; specifications are on the CPP film page. Autoclave film needs documented compatibility with the intended cycle and load. An autoclavable waste bag is not automatically a sterile-barrier package for medical instruments.
Why is cellophane sold by weight?
Because the real cost of making it comes from the weight of the film. How many metres a kilo yields depends on roll width and thickness, so a thinner film gives more metres per kilo. Thickness is chosen from the weight and dimensions of the filled pack, not from the film: the micron guide works through that choice step by step, and a quote can be requested for your dimensions, quantity and destination.
Send your dimensions, quantity and destination for a packaging film quote.
Request a quoteFrequently asked
Is packaging cellophane the same as florist wrap?
The material is from the same polypropylene family, but the product is not: florist wrap is cut sheets with a printed design, while packaging cellophane is industrial rolls or bags in a custom width and thickness. They are ordered differently and should not be confused.
Is cellophane suitable for food contact?
OPP film is in common and accepted use for dry foods such as nuts, chocolate and snacks. For a specific application, send the food type and the packing method so the right film for that use can be proposed.
What is the minimum cellophane order?
Orders below one kilogram are not accepted. Above that, price is calculated from weight, roll width and printing.
Do you print custom designs on cellophane?
Yes, printing up to 10 colours on the film we extrude ourselves, with a printed sample approved before the bulk run.
