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.
In packaging, cellophane means a thin, clear oriented polypropylene (OPP) film that wraps a product and forms its shelf face. The name originally belonged to a regenerated cellulose film, but today it is used almost everywhere for OPP, supplied as rolls and ready-made bags in clear, matte, metallised and pearlescent finishes, and sold by weight.
Cellophane is one of those words that outlived the thing it named. It began as a trademark for a film made from regenerated cellulose; that material has largely left industrial packaging, and the name stayed on the polypropylene film that replaced it. So a buyer asking for cellophane and a factory quoting cellophane are almost always talking about OPP. This guide sets out what it is, which finishes exist, and when it is the wrong choice.
What is packaging cellophane made of?
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 8 colours and come two ways: rolls for packing machinery, and ready-made bags for hand filling. Specifications, thicknesses and the per-kilo price are on the packaging cellophane page.
Cellophane or nylon: which one?
Cellophane (OPP) is clear and glossy and builds the shelf face, but it is more brittle under stretch. Nylon (polyethylene) is hazier and far more elastic, 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 the same polypropylene family made by casting rather than orientation: softer than OPP, it takes a heat seal more readily, and it is the usual choice for packs sealed along their edges. Its specifications are on the CPP cellophane page. Autoclave film is the heat-resistant member of the same family, used in sterilising 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 the current per-kilo price is published with the date it took effect.
Today's packaging cellophane price is published per kilo.
See current pricesFrequently 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, thickness and printing.
Do you print custom designs on cellophane?
Yes — rotogravure printing up to 8 colours on the film we extrude ourselves, with a printed sample approved before the bulk run.