Roll film sealing and sheet film sealing are two different packaging sealing technologies. The main differences are reflected in material form, sealing process, applicable scenarios and equipment type.
Material form
| Type | Material | Features |
| Roll film sealing | Rolled continuous film (such as PE, aluminum-plastic composite film) | The film is continuously unwound from the reel, forming and sealing at the same time, suitable for high-speed automated production |
| Sheet film sealing | Prefabricated single film (such as aluminum foil, plastic sheet) | Each film needs to be placed individually by human or robot, which is highly flexible but less efficient |
Sealing process
| Type | Sealing method | Process |
| Roll film sealing | • Hot pressing sealing (vertical/pillow packaging machine)• Ultrasonic sealing (high sealing requirements) | Unwinding → bag making → filling → continuous sealing and cutting → slitting (integrated, speed can reach 200~600 bags/minute) |
| Sheet film sealing | Intermittent sealing:• Heat-pressing sealing (single-head/double-head sealing machine)• Electromagnetic induction (aluminum foil sealing) | Manual/mechanical film placement → positioning → heat-pressing sealing → cooling (slow speed, usually 20~100 packs/minute) |
Application
| Type | Typical Application | Advantages |
| Roll film sealing | • Instant food (coffee bars, milk powder bags)• Snacks (potato chips, nut bags)• Daily chemicals (laundry gel beads) | Mass production: high efficiency, low costComplex bag type: can make stand-up bags, back-sealed bags, four-side sealed bags, etc. |
| Sheet film sealing | • Pharmaceuticals (aluminum foil blister packaging) • High-end cosmetics (single sheet mask) • Small dose seasonings (sauce packs) | Small batch flexible production: fast production change High-precision sealing: suitable for small size or special-shaped packaging (such as aluminum foil sealing of medicine plates) |
Device Type Comparison
| Comparison items | Roll film sealing equipment | Sheet film sealing equipment |
| machine models | Vertical packaging machine, pillow packaging machine, continuous sealing machine | Single-head/double-head heat sealing machine, aluminum foil sealing machine, flat plate sealing machine |
| Automation level | Fully automatic (on-line production) | Semi-automatic/manual (human intervention required) |
| Cost | High (US$13,000-130,000) | Low (US$1,000-20,000) |
Summary of core differences
Material supply method:
Roll film: According to the mold pressed out and then heat sealed,continuous unwinding, no need to frequently change materials.
Sheet film: requires pre-cutting, and is placed piece by piece manually or by a robot.
Production efficiency:
Roll film: high-speed continuous production (suitable for large-scale orders).
Sheet film: low-speed intermittent production (suitable for small-batch customization).
Sealing accuracy:
Roll film: suitable for standardized bag types, but poor adaptability to special-shaped packaging.
Sheet film: can be accurately positioned, suitable for complex shapes (such as tablet blisters).
Cost difference:
Roll film: large equipment investment, but low cost per package (after mass production).
Sheet film: cheap equipment, but high labor costs.
User convenience:
Roll film: difficult to tear open
Sheet film: easier to tear open, tea cans and plastic cans generally use sheet film
FAQ
What products are suitable for roll film sealing?
Typical applications: large-volume standardized products such as instant coffee bars, potato chip bags, laundry beads, etc.
Advantages: high efficiency (200~600 bags/minute), low cost.
What products are suitable for sheet film sealing?
Typical applications: small-volume or special-shaped packaging such as pharmaceutical aluminum foil blisters, single-piece facial masks, potato chip barrels, etc.
Advantages: high precision and can adapt to complex shapes.
When to use a filling and film sealing all-in-one machine?
Answer: When your product can be unloaded, sealed and capped on one machine, it is recommended that you use this machine. The advantage is low unit price, and the disadvantage is that the functions realized are relatively few. If you have more cans of different sizes, don’t use an all-in-one machine.
Which sealing method is more suitable for small batch production?
Sheet film sealing: flexible production change, suitable for multiple varieties and small batches (such as customized cosmetics).
Which sealing method is faster?
Roll film sealing: continuous operation, speed can reach 600 packs/minute (such as beverage production line).
Sheet film sealing: intermittent operation, usually 20~100 packs/minute.