Mylar packaging can extend product shelf life by up to 50%.

9 out of 10 shoppers say packaging design influences what they buy.

40% of small brands report improved customer retention after switching to custom printed pouches.

UV-cured inks dry 90% faster than solvent alternatives.

68% of consumers will be more likely to trust professionally packaged brands.

Adequate corona treatment enhances print adhesion more than 200%.

Digital Mylar printing will minimize setup waste up to 70%.

Mylar films are heat-seal resistant up to 300°F and suitable for applications like heat-seal.

Let's be honest; Mylar is neat. That shiny, metallic appearance is all futuristic. But can you really print on it? The quick answer: yes, certainly. The long answer? It varies how you go about it.

What Mylar Really Is

Mylar isn't a substance, but rather a DuPont-produced trade name for polyester film. It's the rigid, pliable, reflective substance used in packaging, balloons, and insulation. It's resistant to tears, durable, and an air, light, and water barrier. Perfect for keeping your snacks or the aroma of your coffee intact.

But that very same smooth, hard, shiny surface? That is the issue. That is why it is so difficult to print. Ink does not want to adhere to a surface this smooth and not porous.

How Printing on Mylar Works

Printing on Mylar is not the same as printing on paper. You can't use regular inkjet printers. The ink will bead and smudge. You need something designed for non-porous surfaces.

Printers do this in a variety of ways:

Digital Printing: Great for small runs or special orders. It uses special inks that cure instantly with heat or UV light. No mess, no wait, no peeling.

Flexographic Printing: Imagine this as the stamp of today. Ideal for bulk packaging and easy to use once you've created your design plates.

Rotogravure Printing: The high-end option for luxury packaging. Deep, detailed prints with rich color depth are what it has to offer.

Screen Printing: Ideal for small prints or when you need bold, opaque ink. Screen printing is employed rather frequently in logos and labels.

Both have their benefits, but digital is generally the most flexible for brands testing out designs or for small orders.

Why Surface Treatment Matters

First, you must have it "print-ready" prior to printing on Mylar. Majority of companies treat the surface through something called corona treatment. It increases the surface energy of the film, and ink or adhesive will adhere well.

You can scratch off or smear your print without that treatment. So if you are getting custom Mylar bags printed, always make sure the film has been treated for printing.

Ink Compatibility: The Breaker

The biggest mistake people make? Using the wrong type of ink. Standard water-based inks won’t adhere properly. You’ll need:

1. Ink types that are ideal for adhesion and durability
2. Ultraviolet-cured inks for rapid drying and abrasion resistance
3. Heat transfer inks for label products

It's really just a question of putting the right glue on the right surface. Your glue is ink here. Use the wrong stuff, and it peels. Use the right one, and it will last.

The Finish You Choose Determines the Appearance

Printing on Mylar provides you with some aesthetic choice. You can have metallic, clear, or white based on the look that you wish for the colors to have.

Metallic Mylar: Provided a foil-like gleam beneath printed color. Is attractive to the eye on retail shelves but needs white ink layers in order to make some colors readable.

Clear Mylar: Excellent choice for "window" packaging so that people can see in.

White Mylar: Produces the best quality of printing and color retention.

So think about your brand tactile. Do you want sleek and reflective, or clean and heavy?

Real-World Application

Mylar printing is ubiquitous. Coffee roasters utilize it for freshness. Snack foods adore it for shelf appeal. Cannabis businesses utilize it for compliance labels and resealable packaging. Supplement companies? They use it to repel water and add a pop to their logos.

It's not just in packaging, though. Some graphic designers print on Mylar for its glossy, mirror-like finish. It's durable, water-resistant, and attention-grabbing.

Closing

So can Mylar be printed? Absolutely. You just need to have the right tools, surface treatment, and ink. With those in place, your designs will print out sharp, long-lasting, and shelf-ready.

At Brandmydispo, that's what we do; get your packaging to shine, literally and figuratively. Are you planning on producing metallic foil, matte texture, or something in between? Printing on Mylar is perfectly feasible—and worth every ounce of effort for the returns you'll yield.

Need custom mylar bags? Let us know!