Stand out in the crowded freezer aisle.
Custom frozen food packaging engineered for freezer durability, seal integrity, moisture control, shelf impact, and heat-and-eat convenience for frozen meals, vegetables, and ready to eat meals across Canada and the U.S.
Frozen food packaging protects products from freezer burn, moisture exposure, oxygen exposure, seal failure, and damage during freezing, transportation, storage, and retail display.
Emmerson Packaging develops custom frozen food rollstock, premade pouches, high barrier films, resealable closures, microwaveable packaging, boil-in-bag structures, ovenable films, and Recycle Ready options for food brands across Canada and the U.S.
Frozen Food Packaging Built for Freezer Performance
Protect frozen products from production to freezer aisle with flexible packaging engineered for cold-temperature performance. Emmerson Packaging develops custom rollstock, pouches and film solutions that support reliable seals, durability, product protection and convenient preparation for frozen meals, fruits, vegetables, proteins, seafood and specialty frozen foods.
Frozen Food Applications We Support
Frozen food packaging should be built around how the product is filled, frozen, shipped, displayed, prepared, and consumed.
Frozen Meals, Entrées & Ready-to-Eat Products
Packaging for frozen meals, entrées, and ready-to-eat products should support freezer durability, shelf visibility, and preparation convenience. Depending on the product, options may include microwaveable film, boil-in-bag structures, ovenable packaging, vented film, rollstock, or premade pouches.
Frozen Vegetables & Fruit
Frozen produce packaging needs moisture barrier protection, seal consistency, and durable film structures that help protect texture, colour, and product appearance during frozen storage and retail display.
Frozen Proteins & Seafood
Protein and seafood packaging may require stronger barrier protection, puncture resistance, aroma control, and reliable seals to help maintain product quality from production through frozen distribution.
Plant-Based & Specialty Frozen Products
Plant-based and specialty frozen products often need packaging that protects flavour, texture, visual appeal, and product integrity while supporting clear brand messaging and sustainability goals.
Frozen Food Packaging Challenges We Solve
| Packaging Challenge | Product Example(s) | How Emmerson Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer Burn & Moisture Exposure | Frozen vegetables, fruit, prepared meals | Moisture and oxygen barrier structures help limit exposure that can affect texture, flavour, and product quality during frozen storage. |
| Film Cracking or Puncturing in Cold Conditions | IQF vegetables, seafood, proteins, frozen appetizers | Film strength and puncture resistance can be engineered around low-temperature handling and sharp or irregular frozen products. |
| Product or Ice Interfering With Seals | Loose vegetables, coated foods, seafood | Emmerson can evaluate film and seal structures around filling conditions to support stronger, more consistent package seals. |
| Heavy or Irregular Products Stressing the Package | Frozen proteins, seafood, family-size products | Film structure, gauge, and seal performance can be matched to product weight and distribution requirements. |
| Graphics or Barcodes Scuffing During Handling | Frozen meals, retail products, multi-SKU lines | Reverse-print and laminated structures can help protect branding, barcodes, and important package information throughout distribution. |
| Recycle-Ready Film Affecting Line Performance | High-volume frozen foods using automated lines | Emmerson can evaluate recycle-ready structures against sealing temperatures, machinability, freezer performance, and existing equipment before transition. |
| Packaging Taking Up More Space Than Necessary | Frozen fruit, vegetables, snacks, seafood | Package dimensions can be optimized around product volume and shape to improve material efficiency, storage, and case packing. |
How Do You Choose the Right Frozen Food Packaging?
| Packaging Need | Recommended Option | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| High-Volume Automated Production | Rollstock | Frozen vegetables, fruit, meals, proteins, and other products running on form-fill-seal equipment. |
| Premium Shelf Presentation | Premade Pouches | Specialty frozen foods, premium products, and brands looking for a stand-up retail format. |
| Repeat Opening & Storage | Resealable Closures / Inno-Lok® | Multi-serve vegetables, fruit, snacks, and other products used over multiple occasions. |
| Microwave Preparation | Microwaveable or Vented Packaging | Steamable vegetables, frozen sides, entrées, and convenience-focused meals. |
| Boiling Preparation | Boil-in-Bag Packaging | Foods designed to be heated directly in boiling water. |
| Oven Preparation | Ovenable Packaging | Frozen foods intended to move from freezer to oven with minimal preparation. |
| Additional Moisture or Oxygen Protection | High-Barrier Film Structures | Seafood, proteins, specialty foods, and products with more demanding barrier requirements. |
| More Sustainable Packaging Goals | Recycle-Ready Film Structures | Frozen food brands looking to reduce reliance on conventional multi-material packaging where product and line requirements allow. |
Overtake your competition with high-quality packaging. Choose the Right Frozen Food Packaging Format:
Looking to reduce your environmental impact?
We’re here to help. We’ve been a Sustainable Green Printer since 2011. As your eco-conscious packaging partner, we’ll make your transition seamless with cost-effective, greener materials that customers will truly appreciate.
Why Frozen Food Brands Work With Emmerson Packaging
100% Guaranteed Delivery Based on Confirmed Delivery Dates
Frozen food production depends on packaging arriving on time. Emmerson reduces the risk of delays with guaranteed delivery based on confirmed dates, helping brands stay on track with production schedules, launches, and seasonal demand.
Vendor Managed Inventory & SKU Optimization
Managing multiple SKUs can be complex. Emmerson offers Vendor Managed Inventory and helps identify opportunities to combine SKUs for cost savings, better planning, reduced stockouts, and more efficient supply.
Proven Recycle Ready Frozen Food Packaging Experience
Emmerson has sold over 180 million Recycle Ready packages, with strong growth since 2023. We help frozen food brands evaluate Recycle Ready options while maintaining the durability, barrier protection, and seal integrity required for frozen products.
Cross-Market Packaging Experience
Emmerson serves multiple markets, including Frozen Food, Pantry, Pet Food, and more. This experience brings broader flexible packaging knowledge, including rollstock, premade pouches, high barrier films, resealable closures, and sustainable material options.
Gain industry insights from our packaging experts.
Stay ahead of the market with helpful guidance from the Emmerson team. We cover all things packaging – from sustainability trends to design direction.
Frequently asked questions
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What is the best packaging for frozen food?
The best frozen food packaging depends on the product type, fill process, freezer conditions, storage time, reheating requirements, and sustainability goals. Common options include frozen food rollstock, premade pouches, high barrier films, microwaveable packaging, boil-in-bag packaging, ovenable films, vented structures, and resealable pouches.
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What packaging helps prevent freezer burn?
Packaging that limits moisture and oxygen exposure can help reduce the risk of freezer burn. Moisture barrier films, oxygen barrier films, high barrier pouches, and strong seal integrity help protect frozen meals, vegetables, proteins, seafood, and ready-to-eat frozen products during storage and distribution.
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Can frozen food packaging be Recycle Ready?
Yes, frozen food packaging can be designed with Recycle Ready structures where product requirements and recycling infrastructure allow. Emmerson helps frozen food brands evaluate Recycle Ready packaging options while balancing freezer durability, moisture barrier performance, oxygen protection, seal strength, and product safety.
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What is the difference between frozen food rollstock and premade pouches?
Rollstock is commonly used for high-volume form-fill-seal production where line efficiency, cost control, and custom-printed film matter. Premade pouches may be better suited for premium shelf presentation, smaller runs, multi-serve frozen products, or items that benefit from stand-up display.
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What locations does Emmerson Packaging service?
We service all of Canada and the United States. We have warehouses strategically located throughout to ensure that from coast to coast, your product is always close.
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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
- Bottom gusset pouches – 6 weeks
- Box pouch and quad seals – 7 weeks
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What is your minimum order quantity?
Our minimum order quantities per product type are typically (but may vary depending on the specifications of your item):
- Rollstock and Pouches – 25,000 PC per SKU
- Box Pouches – 30,000 pc per family, 10,000 PC per SKU
- Quad bags – 10,000 per SKU per order.
As we are strategically set up to manufacture large-scale orders, most quotes start with the 10 million (rollstock) or 5 million (pouches) annual impressions, but our experts can discuss this more with you.
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What is your on-time delivery rate?
We boast a 98+% on-time delivery rate. We’re so confident in our ability to deliver your project on time, we offer a rock-solid New
Product Launch Guarantee. If you miss a launch date and it’s our fault, we’ll pay a penalty fee!
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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.
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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!
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Do you make your own plates?
Yes, we make our own plates in-house using an ESKO HD workflow.
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Do you do digital printing?
Emmerson Packaging does not currently offer digital printing. As a flexible packaging manufacturer focused on frozen food, pet food, pantry essentials, towel and tissue, personal care, and specialty product markets, we believe flexographic printing remains the best solution for many customers based on their volume, quality, and service requirements.
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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
- Graphics/Pre-Press Services