--- title: The Skinny on Blister.. and Skin Packaging description: Skin and blister packaging are both very common choices for retail display packaging, and they both have their place. Here are the comparisons. image: https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hs-fs/hub/386184/file-2492804555.jpg --- ** ** [ Talk to an expert ](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/contact-us) - Categories ** - ** [Subscribe](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog-subscribe) [«  View All Posts](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/resources) ![The Skinny on Blister.. and Skin Packaging](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hs-fs/hub/386184/file-2492804555.jpg) ![Blog Feature](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/298890/blog-files/blog--cards-feature.png) [Subscribe](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog-subscribe) ![David Roberge](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/Davids%20Headshot%202025%20IP%20-%20Dark%20Blue.jpg "David Roberge") By: [David Roberge](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/author/david-roberge) on February 18th, 2015 ** Print/Save as PDF # The Skinny on Blister.. and Skin Packaging [Packaging Materials](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/topic/packaging-materials) - Share: - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/the-skinny-on-blister..-and-skin-packaging) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The+Skinny+on+Blister..+and+Skin+Packaging&url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/the-skinny-on-blister..-and-skin-packaging&via=) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/the-skinny-on-blister..-and-skin-packaging&title=The+Skinny+on+Blister..+and+Skin+Packaging&summary=Skin+and+blister+packaging+are+both+very+common+choices+for+retail+display+packaging%2C+and+they+both+have+their+place.+Here+are+the+comparisons.) - [**](mailto:?body=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/the-skinny-on-blister..-and-skin-packaging) ## How do you tell the difference between blister and skin packaging?   Skin and blister packaging are both very common choices for retail [display packaging](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/packaging-materials), and they both have their place.    They are similar, but have different characteristics that benefit different types of products and different levels of protection: **Skin packaging is a vacuum process that draws a flexible film around your product which adheres to a paperboard.** - Firmly unitizes your product on the board - Special tooling not required - Multiple, varied products can be run at the same time on your packaging line - [Manual to automatic equipment](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/downloadable-packaging-integration-chart) available - Easy to change over to increase or decrease film thickness - Not ideal for products that are heat-sensitive **Blister packaging uses a pre-formed, rigid blister which also adheres to a paperboard.** - Can handle loose, small, multiple products, (e.g., individual screws) - Relatively easy to open if sealed properly - Re-usable container (open the back of the paperboard and use the pre-formed blister to hold items) - Stock blister sizes are available - [Manual](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/justifying-automatic-vs-manual-packaging-equipment) to automatic [equipment](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/packaging-equipment-support/equipment-sales) available     Skin packaging and blister packaging can be used for small quantity production to very large quantity production. As a general rule, skin is less expensive. The ultimate decision is more often driven by application than by cost. [Send us your product(s)](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/contact), we would be happy to sample both for you. ---  If you are looking to optimize your next packaging design, [this cheat sheet ](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/packaging-efficiency-cheat-sheet)that is a must have for a more efficient design process!   [![Free Infographic for optimal packaging design](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/386184/2b5dbb58-2415-42e5-8d5b-a19f2b5ed339.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/386184/2b5dbb58-2415-42e5-8d5b-a19f2b5ed339) ### About David Roberge I help CPG brands find the right contract packaging partner through content that answers real questions. I get to do that alongside a team whose values actually match mine: respect, teamwork, and always getting better. I also appreciate the psychology behind decision-making. Outside of work you'll find me hiking with my partner and dog, learning German and Spanish, pulling tarot cards. - **Connect with David Roberge** - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidroberge) - [**](mailto:david.roberge@industrialpackaging.com) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/the-skinny-on-blister..-and-skin-packaging) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The+Skinny+on+Blister..+and+Skin+Packaging&url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/the-skinny-on-blister..-and-skin-packaging&via=) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/the-skinny-on-blister..-and-skin-packaging&title=The+Skinny+on+Blister..+and+Skin+Packaging&summary=Skin+and+blister+packaging+are+both+very+common+choices+for+retail+display+packaging%2C+and+they+both+have+their+place.+Here+are+the+comparisons.) - [**](mailto:?body=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/the-skinny-on-blister..-and-skin-packaging) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "David Roberge", "url" : "https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/author/david-roberge" }, "dateModified" : "2019-01-24T18:15:38.845Z", "datePublished" : "2015-02-18T15:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "The Skinny on Blister.. and Skin Packaging", "image" : [ "https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hs-fs/hub/386184/file-2492804555.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/the-skinny-on-blister..-and-skin-packaging", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/INDUSTRIAL%20PACKAGING%20LOGO%202016.png" }, "name" : "Industrial Packaging" } } ```