Home › Blog › Poly vs. Mylar: Which Ziplock Bag Protects Your Product?

Buyer Guides

Poly vs. Mylar: Which Ziplock Bag Protects Your Product?

06/17/2026

The two most common resealable films are clear poly and foil mylar, and choosing between them comes down to one question: how much does your product need protecting from light, air, and moisture? Get it right and your product stays fresh and looks great; get it wrong and you either overpay for barrier you don’t need or lose shelf life you can’t afford.

Here’s how the two compare on the factors that matter.

Poly: clarity and value

Clear poly shows off the product, reseals reliably, and costs the least. It’s the right pick for hardware, parts, apparel, and any shelf-stable product that doesn’t degrade with light or air exposure. What it doesn’t do is block oxygen or light, so it’s wrong for coffee, sensitive foods, and anything with a freshness window.

Mylar: barrier and freshness

Foil mylar blocks light, oxygen, and moisture, dramatically extending shelf life. It’s essential for coffee, dried and freeze-dried foods, supplements, and botanicals. It costs more than poly and hides the product unless you add a window — but for anything that spoils, the barrier pays for itself in reduced waste and returns.

How to decide

Ask whether your product degrades with light or air. If yes, mylar. If no, poly. If you want shelf presence and some barrier, a stand-up pouch in a barrier laminate splits the difference. Many brands run poly for stable SKUs and mylar for the perishable ones.

Factor	Clear poly	Foil mylar
Cost	Lowest	Higher
Barrier	None	Light, oxygen, moisture
Shows product	Yes	Only with a window
Best for	Parts, apparel, stable goods	Coffee, food, supplements

Tell us your product and we’ll recommend the right film and mock it up — free, within one business day.

More posts