Flow wrap packaging — also called flow wrapping or horizontal form-fill-seal (HFFS) packaging — is a continuous automated method of individually wrapping products in flexible film. Products move horizontally through a flow wrapping machine as printed film is unwound, formed tightly around each item, sealed along the back and both ends, and cut to length — creating a tightly sealed, individually wrapped package with full-coverage brand printing on every unit, all in a single automated process.

Flow wrapping creates a tight, hermetically sealed package using fin seal or lap seal closures — designed to protect product integrity against oxygen, moisture, and contamination. Overwrapping creates a looser, aesthetically focused wrap typically used for rigid boxes or items where a breathable, gift-like finish is the goal rather than a protective barrier. Flow wrapping is the right choice when barrier performance, seal integrity, and production speed are the primary requirements.

Iva Pak flow wrap rollstock is available in both fin seal and lap seal configurations. Fin seal creates a standing seam along the back of the package — the most common flow wrap configuration for food products. Lap seal creates a flat, low-profile back seam — preferred for products displayed face-up in retail fixtures such as snack bars and biscuits. The right seal type depends on your product, equipment, and desired finished-package appearance.

Over-the-Mountain (OTM) film is a specialized high-seal-strength film structure engineered to prevent packages from bursting or leaking when transported through high-altitude environments or shipped via air freight. As atmospheric pressure decreases at altitude, the air pressure inside sealed packages can cause conventional seals to fail. OTM film is an important specification for any brand distributing through mountain transport routes or using air cargo for product delivery.

Yes — this is one of the most common scenarios we handle. Share your co-packer’s complete film requirements — seal type, unwind direction, maximum outer diameter, and core size — and we will precision-convert your rollstock to match their HFFS equipment exactly, ensuring clean running from the first impression.

We offer BOPP (high barrier, snacks and bakery), PET (high barrier, broad use), MET PET (ultra-high barrier, coffee and bars), ALOX (ultra-high barrier, recyclable applications), Foil (ultra-high barrier, hot fill and long shelf life), Recyclable PE (store drop-off recyclable), and PCR film (post-consumer recycled content). We also offer freezer-safe and hot-fill film structures for temperature-specific applications. Our team will recommend the right film based on your product and production requirements.

Solventless lamination is a film bonding process that uses no solvent-based adhesives — producing a cleaner, lower-migration laminate that is well-suited for direct and indirect food contact applications. It eliminates the risk of residual solvent migration into food products and is generally preferred for food-grade flexible packaging where clean lamination is a compliance or quality requirement.