What’s The Difference Between Blister Paper And Composite Paper?
Apr 07, 2025
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What's the Difference Between Blister Paper and Composite Paper?
In the world of packaging materials, blister paper and composite paper are often used for similar purposes-but they are not the same. Whether you are sourcing materials for food packaging, electronics, or custom retail packaging, knowing their differences can help you choose the right product for your needs.
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Below, we explore the definitions, properties, applications, and key differences between these two materials.
Definitions
Blister Paper, also known as blister card paper or blister packaging paper, is a type of paperboard specially treated to bond with plastic (usually PVC or PET) through heat sealing. It is commonly used in blister pack applications, where a product is encased in a plastic bubble and sealed to a paper backing.
Composite Paper, also called laminated paper or multi-layer paper, refers to a paper product made by combining two or more materials (e.g., paper + aluminum foil, paper + PE film) through lamination. This paper is designed for strength, moisture resistance, barrier properties, and appearance.
Feature
Blister Paper
Composite Paper
Main Use
Heat-sealed blister packaging
General packaging (food, electronics, etc.)
Structure
Single/multi-layer with heat-seal coating
Laminated multi-layer (e.g., paper + PE/foil)
Bonding Method
Seals with PET/PVC via heat & pressure
Layers bonded with adhesive or extrusion
Typical Appearance
White or printed front, PE-coated back
Glossy or matte finish, varies with layers
Water Resistance
Moderate (depends on PE coating)
High (especially with PE or foil lamination)
Barrier Properties
Limited
Excellent (moisture, oxygen, oil barrier)
Heat Sealability
Excellent with blister film
Depends on layer type (e.g., PE enables seal)
Customization
Printable, cuttable, embossable
Highly customizable in material + thickness
Eco-friendliness
Often recyclable (if paper-based)
Depends on material (multi-layer less recyclable)
Cost
Generally lower
Varies (depends on materials used)
Key Differences Explained
1. Packaging Purpose
Blister paper is specifically engineered for blister packaging where a clear plastic dome is fused to paper-think of toothbrushes, batteries, or pills.
Composite paper, however, is used more broadly in packaging-from snack wrappers to box liners-where strength and resistance are priorities.
2. Material Composition
Blister paper often has a PE coating or heat-sealing layer to ensure proper bonding with plastics. Composite paper is made by laminating layers (paper + PE, paper + foil, paper + PET), often customized based on product type.
3. Heat Sealing Ability
Blister paper is optimized for heat sealing with PVC or PET-a requirement for blister packaging. Composite paper may not always be heat-sealable unless it includes heat-reactive layers.
4. Environmental Considerations
Blister paper is sometimes more environmentally friendly, especially when made with FSC-certified paper and water-based coatings. Composite paper, due to its multiple bonded layers, is often difficult to recycle, unless specially designed for sustainability.
