Why "high barrier" is not a complete specification
Buyers often begin with "Use PET/AL/PE," "we need high barrier," or "make it like our current bag." Those are useful references, but they do not tell a supplier what the filled package must do. A structure label can conceal differences in thickness, coating, sealant layer, adhesive, converting process and the test basis behind a quoted value.
Start with the product. Dry food can raise different questions about moisture, oxygen, aroma, light, grease and physical damage. Shelf-life objective, pack size, filling, storage, distribution and destination market also belong in the review. A 400 g treat pouch and a multi-kilogram kibble bag may both hold dry pet food, but they do not necessarily need the same discussion.
"High barrier" is a direction for the discussion, not an approval criterion. State the risk to manage and the evidence needed before launch.
Start with the product, not the film structure
Describe the packed product and how it reaches the consumer before discussing a laminate abbreviation. An existing pack can be a useful reference, but it is evidence to review, not a specification to copy.
| Information to provide | Why it matters in the brief |
|---|---|
| Product type and kibble characteristics | Shape, dust, sharp edges, surface oil and product handling can affect the package discussion beyond barrier alone. |
| Fat or oil context, if known | It helps the buyer explain what product-related protection or seal-area questions need review. It does not establish a material selection by itself. |
| Target shelf life | The brand should state the intended commercial objective and how it will be validated, rather than asking a supplier to infer the requirement. |
| Pack size and filled reference | A filled sample or clear reference shows headspace, package geometry and the condition the bag is expected to hold. |
| Filling and sealing process | Opening width, sealing conditions, product contamination risk and machine handling need to be considered with the package. |
| Storage, distribution and destination market | These inputs make the brief more realistic and identify where the brand may need its own market or compliance review. |
If information is not yet available, say so. That tells the supplier which questions need a sample, an internal review or a later validation step.
Define the barrier objective
Instead of asking for a named film, describe the exposure or product change the project is trying to control. That may mean moisture pickup, oxygen exposure, aroma retention, light exposure, oil-related concerns, or a combination. Tie the objective to the actual product and its shelf-life plan.
Barrier is only one part of a working pet food bag. The package must also be converted into the selected format, filled, sealed, transported, opened and sometimes resealed. A familiar structure on a specification sheet cannot be assumed to meet those conditions in another project.
OTR and WVTR are useful numbers when the test basis travels with them
OTR means oxygen transmission rate. WVTR means water vapour transmission rate. Both can help a team compare materials or review a project requirement, but neither should be separated from the test method, unit, sample construction and stated test conditions.
ASTM D3985 covers oxygen gas transmission through plastic film and sheeting using a coulometric sensor. ASTM F1249 covers water-vapour transmission through flexible barrier materials using a modulated infrared sensor. ASTM states that agreed sampling, standardisation, test conditions and acceptance criteria are needed when WVTR data is used for buyer and seller comparison.
If OTR or WVTR data is relevant, ask what was tested, which method was used, the stated test conditions and what decision the result is intended to inform. Film data and complete-package data are not automatically interchangeable. A transmission value can support a discussion, but product testing, shelf-life validation and customer or market requirements remain project-specific.
Why copying a current material structure can mislead
A current pouch can show a preferred look, opening direction, panel layout or format. Problems arise when a short material label becomes the whole specification. Two bags described with the same layer names may differ in gauge, resin grade, coating, adhesive, sealant layer, print or lamination process. Their finished performance may therefore differ.
Use the current pack as a reference. Share front, back and side photographs, an empty sample if available, a filled sample where appropriate, and any test reports the brand is allowed to share. State which elements are preferences and which need technical review.
What to send your packaging supplier
- Name the product and describe its physical condition, including anything that may affect filling, sealing or package handling.
- State the target pack size and provide a filled reference or a current bag where available.
- Describe the intended shelf-life objective and how the brand expects to validate it.
- Share the current package structure or available OTR/WVTR information as reference material, not as an automatic specification.
- Describe storage, distribution and destination-market conditions that are known at quote stage.
- Identify filling temperature or process details, if known, and any limits around the seal area.
- List required features such as zipper, handle, window, valve or tear notch.
- State any confirmed customer, retailer or market requirements that the project team must review.
- Explain what samples or validation evidence the buyer needs before bulk production is considered.
This checklist does not make the buyer responsible for laboratory work. It gives the supplier, technical team and any testing partner a clear basis for the next discussion. Buyers who need a broader starting point can review the Pet Packaging FAQ before preparing the RFQ.
A practical RFQ example
Product: Dry dog food
Pack: 3 kg retail bag
Target: Brand requires a structure evaluation against its planned shelf-life objective
Current reference: Existing packaging sample available
Requested features: Resealable zipper and matte appearance
Market direction: EU market planned
Supplier support requested: Structure options for review, available barrier-data context, and a sample-evaluation plan
This example does not imply that a 3 kg bag, a matte finish or an EU destination determines one approved material structure.
Use the 3D Packaging Designer for the physical configuration
The 3D Packaging Designer helps a team discuss bag style, approximate dimensions, zipper and feature direction, colours and an early artwork view. It can make a brief easier to share with procurement and design teams. It does not validate barrier performance, shelf life, material suitability, print colour or production feasibility.
The related guides on stand-up pouch versus flat-bottom bag and side-gusset versus quad-seal bags can help define the physical configuration before the barrier discussion starts.
Final takeaway
Begin with: "What does this package need to protect, for how long, and under which conditions?" The answer gives a packaging supplier a basis for reviewing material direction, available data and the validation work that remains.
Frequently asked questions
What does high barrier mean for pet food packaging?
It is a broad direction, not a full specification. Identify the product, protection objective, shelf-life plan, storage and distribution conditions, package format and validation expectations.
Should I specify OTR and WVTR when requesting a quote?
Share existing OTR or WVTR data when it is available and relevant. Include the test method, stated conditions, unit and what was tested. The project may still need product-specific review and validation.
Can I copy the material structure from my current packaging?
Use a current bag as a reference, but a short structure name does not describe every variable in a finished package. State what you want to retain and what needs technical review.
Does the 3D Packaging Designer determine the barrier structure?
No. It supports visual configuration and quote preparation. Material direction and barrier validation need a separate review based on the actual product and project conditions.
Sources reviewed
- ASTM International, D3985-24: Standard Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric Sensor (accessed 31 August 2026). Used for the existence and scope of an established OTR film test method.
- ASTM International, F1249-25: Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor (last updated 10 November 2025; accessed 31 August 2026). Used for WVTR test-method context and the importance of agreed test conditions and acceptance criteria.
- AMETEK MOCON, Permeation Analyzers (accessed 31 August 2026). Used for the distinction between oxygen and water-vapour transmission testing of films and packages.