Custom Rollstock High-Performance & Flexible Packaging Film

Frequently asked questions

• Does Emmerson Packaging offer sustainable packaging options?

  Yes, we have been working with sustainable packaging since 2009. In partnership with our clients, our R&D department works to develop innovative and sustainable packaging options that are recyclable, compostable, and/or biodegradable, while remaining dedicated to our own internal sustainability initiatives.

• How do I make my packaging more sustainable?

  We offer a range of sustainable packaging options to make your packaging more sustainable. From down-gauging, recyclable, biodegradable, PCR to Sugarcane, we have you covered. The next step in the sustainability journey depends on where you are. You can find our product offerings here and get in contact with us today to learn more about the sustainable solutions we have available.

• Is Emmerson packaging food grade?

  Yes. All our packaging is FDA-approved, and our facilities are SQF Edition 8: Level 2 certified. You can access a copy of our most up to date SQF certifications here.

  • 2025 SQF Edition 9 Certification – Amherst, Nova Scotia 
  • 2025 SQF Edition 9 Certification – Belleville, Ontario 
• What is your minimum order quantity?

  • Rollstock – 25,000 PC per SKU

  As we are strategically set up to manufacture large-scale orders, most quotes start with the following annual impressions, but our experts can discuss this more with you:

  • Pet food – 1 million
  • Frozen food rollstock – 10 million
  • Frozen food pouches – 5 million
  • Towel and tissue – 10 million
• What are your standard lead times?

  Lead times are based on where the product is being shipped to, but typically on repeat orders, standard have-ready lead times are:

  • Surface print rollstock – 4 weeks
  • Lamination rollstock – 5 weeks
• Do you make your own film?

  Yes, we make our own polyethylene films. You can choose from clear, white, or add visual impact from our line of matte finish PE films. Our in-house Research and Development and Graphics teams can work with you to understand your goals and provide technical expertise, along with concept and design support to ensure that your goals are met. Complete our contact us form to coordinate a meeting today!

• Do you make your own plates?

  Yes, we make our own plates in-house using an ESKO HD workflow.

• Do you do HD printing?

  Yes, our HD printing provides 4000 DPI resolution (in comparison to traditional 2400 DPI). Our capabilities also offer up to 175 LPI for superior ink lay down and color control, in comparison to traditional pre-press technologies.

• Do you do digital printing?

  Emmerson Packaging does not currently offer digital printing. As a flexible packaging manufacturer that focuses on pet food, frozen food, and other markets of the like, we feel that flexographic printing is still the best solution for our customers, given their existing volumes and service requirements. We are actively exploring digital technologies and will deploy them when we feel they can meet our customers’ needs for quality and cost competitiveness.

• What are your in-house production capabilities?

  Emmerson Packaging is a vertically-integrated manufacturing operation. We deliver consistent and high-quality services and products, with premium in-house production capabilities:

  • HD Printing (4000 DPI resolution with 175 LPI for superior ink lay down and color control)
  • High-speed flexographic presses with state-of-the-art robotic capabilities
  • Print width ranges from 12” (minimum) to 65” (maximum)
  • Print repeat ranges from 12 1/4” (minimum) to 49” (maximum)
  • 10-colour maximum range plus combinations
  • Surface or reverse sheeting or tubing
  • Computer-controlled ink blending, dispensing, and matching
• What sets Emmerson Packaging apart from other manufacturers in terms of sustainability?
  • We have been producing sustainable, recycle-ready stand-up pouches since 2019
  • We offer a team of dedicated sustainable packaging R&D experts to ensure that you can meet your packaging goals.
  • Beyond packaging innovations, our manufacturing facilities have long concentrated on sustainability initiatives, and we are SQF level 2 Certified.
  • We were the first flexographic printer in North America to adopt ISO 14001 in order to guide the creation of our environmental management system.
  • We were also the first Sustainable Green Printer (SGP) in Canada and the 6th in the US.
  • Our products are peanut free – and we have complete product traceability!
• What do I need to know about PCR?
  • PCR materials come from plastic products that have been recycled, collected, cleaned, reprocessed into PCR resin, and then made into something new. An example of products that are used to create PCR resin would be HDPE, milk jugs.
  • PCR provides excellent packaging sustainability benefits, but they may impact print quality and/or film consistency. If the package is a lamination of two substrates, the PCR can be added to the substrate that is not being printed, and the print will not be compromised. However, if the specification is one substrate and not laminated, the PCR film may impact the graphics. One of the compromises of PCR is the presence of gels or unmelts which are areas that do not melt uniformly. They will show up as small hard spots. These gels will affect print as the ink will pool around the hard spots.
  • Emmerson Packaging offers 15 – 25% content. Although 100% PCR packaging is available, the resin does not melt uniformly. As a result, there can be unmelts and gels present, which are small un-melted areas in the sealant film. To minimize this impact, we advise limiting the amount of PCR in the product.
• What is rollstock film used for?

  Rollstock film is used to package products efficiently at scale on automated packaging lines. It can be used for frozen foods, snacks, pantry products, pet food, paper products, personal care products, household goods, and other flexible packaging applications.

• What machines use rollstock packaging?

  Rollstock is commonly used on form-fill-seal equipment, including VFFS and HFFS lines. The right rollstock structure depends on machine type, line speed, roll width, unwind direction, seal requirements, print registration, and product format.

• What materials are used in rollstock packaging?

  Rollstock can use polyethylene film, polypropylene film, PET film packaging, PET/PE laminated film, conventional film, high barrier packaging films, Recycle Ready structures, PCR/PIR options, and other materials depending on product needs and production requirements.

• What is laminated rollstock?

  Laminated rollstock uses multiple film layers to support barrier performance, durability, puncture resistance, seal strength, and print protection.