PACKAGING GUIDES
MATERIALS, EXPLAINED
Paper, glassine, compostable materials — what does it all actually mean?
This guide breaks down the materials behind our packaging in plain English, so you can understand what they do, where they work best and what happens at the end of their life.
THE SHORT VERSION
CHOOSE FOR THE JOB.
No material is automatically the best choice for every product. The right option depends on what you're packing, how it needs to perform and how it can realistically be disposed of.
MATERIAL ONE
PAPER
Paper is one of the most familiar packaging materials, but not all paper packaging performs in the same way.
Weight, construction, coatings and adhesives all affect how strong it is, how it protects the product and how easily it can be recycled.
MATERIAL TWO
GLASSINE
Glassine is a smooth, dense paper with a distinctive translucent finish.
It's often used as inner packaging where presentation matters and the product benefits from a lightweight protective layer.
MATERIAL THREE
COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS
Compostable packaging is designed to break down under specific composting conditions — but the details matter.
Always check the disposal instructions for the individual product rather than assuming every compostable material belongs in the same waste stream.
WORTH REMEMBERING
MATERIALS ONLY MAKE SENSE IN CONTEXT.
A material can sound great on paper and still be the wrong choice for a particular product.
Performance, protection, sourcing and realistic end-of-life options all matter.
SEE THE MATERIALS IN ACTION
PACKAGING, MADE PRACTICAL.
See how different materials work in practice, with examples from across the Simplelifeco range.
KEEP READING
MORE PACKAGING KNOW-HOW.
Explore the rest of the Packaging Guides for practical help with choosing, sizing, packing and disposal.
KEEP EXPLORING
MATERIALS ARE JUST ONE PART OF THE DECISION.
Once you understand the material, the next step is making sure the packaging is the right size and actually works for the product.