FAQs
If you have any other questions or need further assistance, please reach out to your SPI representative.
Based on raw material availability and production schedule, we will do our best to accommodate expedited order requests when possible. We will review on a case by case basis. Please contact your SPI representative for more information.
Once art is approved from the customer, SPI generally delivers custom packaging solutions for a new project in approximately 8-10 weeks. Repeat orders vary depending on the availability of raw materials; approximately 6-8 weeks. Please contact your SPI representative for more information.
Yes, SPI can run a combination of various skus based on specific criteria. Please contact your SPI representative for more information.
Yes. All Swan Packaging supplies are food safe compliant materials. Our official FDA or CIFA compliance letter is available upon request. Please contact your SPI representative for more information.
Yes, both should always be considered when selecting packaging materials for specific products.
For example, some products will become rancid or oxidized in the presence of oxygen. For these types of products, a high barrier packaging film should be selected. Please contact your SPI representative for more information.
Please provide the following information to SPI when requesting help in determining the best film structure for your product and application:
- details of package content
- anticipated shelf life (current shelf life and new goal if desired)
- filling temperature
- post filling heat treatment including time, temperature and pressure
- storage and shelf temperature (frozen, ambient, or chilled)
- any required features such as (printing, easy fill, easy tear, hang hole, type of closure, tear notch, window), finishes such as (matte/partial matte, cold seal)
Please contact your SPI representative for more information.
Weight affects impact force, specifically in FFS (Form Fill Seal), and thus plays a role in determining material type and thickness. It is not only total fill weight; individual piece size, product shape and abrasiveness, and height of the drop must also be considered. Please contact your SPI representative for more information.
- Foil
- Metallized films
- Heavy ink
- UV inhibiting films are available, but come with a premium cost and require large minimum order quantities.
Please contact your SPI representative for more information.
- Faster and more efficient
- Low minimum orders
- No plate cost
- Multiple skus in 1 job
- Shorter turn-around time
- Cost efficient CMYK printing
Please contact your SPI representative for more information.
Art FAQ
Please send 2 versions of the artwork:
- Adobe Illustrator (.ai) (live, editable text) vector files are preferred. (must include all fonts and links)
If there are changes needed that require editing or repositioning the text, it will be faster and easier to use the file with the live, editable text.
- Adobe Illustrator (.pdf) (text converted to outlines)
Swan Packaging would be glad to review preliminary art and offer feedback on potential print issues.
Yes. A matte or partial matte coating can be included as an additional plate.
Please contact Jill Halpin at 314-481-6766 for exact instruction on how to include a matte or partial matte coating in your art file.
Die line (indicate in 100% cyan), on its own layer; include tear notch, zipper, hang hole, seam seal, gusset. (if (if you need help, we can facilitate a die line specific to your needs)
Measurements (indicate in 100% magenta), on its own layer;
include measurements of finished size; top of bag to tear notch, zipper, and hang hole; size of hang hole; and gusset (indicate if Doyen or K-Seal)
Matte/Partial matte finish, (indicate in 20% cyan + 20% magenta), on its own layer
Opaque White (indicate in 20% cyan + 20% yellow), on its own layer
Window (indicate in 20% magenta), label as "Clear Window", on its own layer
Rewind Number (if applicable)
Yes. You can send us preliminary art, or provide us with the dimensions and features (tear notch, zipper, etc.) and we can facilitate a die line specific to your needs.
Swan Packaging has the capability to print up to 10 colors (including PMS spot colors and C,M,Y,K). Matte/partial matte coating or a white undercoat would each count as a separate color and require an additional plate.
If your files are too large to send in your email, you can use a file transfer website like WeTransfer, ShareFile, Hightail, or Dropbox when sending your files.
We do not recommend printing small type in CMYK, as there is a small degree of fluctuation in the registration and it is difficult to hold. To achieve the best print of your text, we recommend printing your smaller type in 100% black or a Pantone (PMS) spot color.
Resolution must be a minimum of 300 dpi at 100% size.
A preliminary pdf will be emailed to you. This proof is meant for viewing copy, color breaks, sizing and positioning. We will also conduct a thorough review. Any changes to the art need to be made at this time. Once approved, you will receive a high resolution printer pdf proof for final approval.
Yes. If a sample is provided, we will use it as a target during the printing process.
If there are spot colors present and no sample, we use the Pantone Matching System (PMS) to ensure a match for color. If your brand color is a special mix, we can provide an ink drawdown. Once that is approved, we will match it for color.
“With SPI you not only get a superior & competitively price product… you get unsurpassed service & technical support. The team at Swan is more than a staff of sales people, they consist of service techs, scientists & knowledgeable, helpful individuals.”
Confectionary Customer
"We have been using this company for 20 years. We purchase lidding film, bundling film and other plastic needs from them. They provide products at a competitive price, plus provide technical service that is above any other company we use. I hope you find Swan Packaging products and services as valuable as we do."
Dairy Customer
"Swan Packaging (SPI) is the “go to” company that I have no hesitation in recommending when our customers ask for the name of a reliable supplier for lid stock materials that need to be heat sealed onto preformed containers. Whether the application be for providing high barrier materials for sealing retortable cups, or refrigerated and frozen food cups and trays, SPI has the answer and the right material to offer. The integrity and support offered by SPI’s very knowledgeable team, both to the end user and to us, the machine manufacturer, is second to none and ensures optimum success for our customers every step of the way."
World Class
"Swan Packaging is considered our best packaging vendor and business partner. They have maintained exceptional customer service, superior quality labels, and insightful packaging and manufacturing solutions. Swan Packaging is very proactive and effective when addressing problems that may arise in our manufacturing process. Their technical service and diagnosis of problems with our production equipment has been extremely beneficial in keeping out manufacturing facility at optimum production."
Dairy Customer
"Our company started a business relationship with Swan Packaging, Inc. (SPI) back in September 2000 when they began supplying our rollstock film. That relationship continues today with the addition of three pre-printed zip style bags. SPI has continually met and/or exceeded our expectations whether it is for on-time deliveries or for new product development. Their aggressive approach to ensure customer satisfaction is second to none. It has been a pleasure doing business with Mary Swanson and her associates."
Frozen Foods Customer
"The entire team at Swan Packaging is a pleasure to work with. They bring many years of experience in the flexible packaging industry to the table, are knowledgeable about current trends in the market and their level of customer service is excellent. One very recognizable benefit from Swan is that they have a technical person on staff that knows and understands the relationship between the flexible film and the different production machines. Everyone at Swan will go the extra mile necessary to serve their customers so I have no problem in recommending that they be considered to handle your flexible packaging needs."
Ready-to-Serve Customer
