Sure, everyone’s heard of blister packaging — one of the most effective ways to package consumer goods in a durable, tamper-proof package — but do you know precisely what it is? And if you think you do, did you know that there are tons of different types of blister packaging designs?

To give you a better idea of just how versatile plastic blister packaging can be, here are a few of the most common ways it’s used.

Unit Doses.

Perhaps the most common type of blister packaging is the unit dose. A plastic sheet is made to have small blisters that can fit single doses of medicines, and is them heat sealed with a card or foil backing. If you’ve ever had to pop an allergy pill, cold medicine, or other some such form of capsule out of a pack, then you’ve bought a blister packaged good.

Consumer Goods.

Medicines aren’t the only things sold in blister packaging. Many common consumer goods come wrapped in blister packaging, too, like office supplies, toys, or hardware. Similar to the unit doses, the goods are wrapped in a plastic blister, and a specially made paperboard.

Clamshell.

Clamshell blister packs are used to pack, ship, and store a variety of goods that require more durable, secure form of packaging. Basically, a blister is split down the middle and is connected with a hinge. The product is put into the blister, and the other half is then folded over it. The pack is then heat sealed, which makes it difficult to open hand and deters tampering.

Who would have thought that blister packs would come in so many different shapes, sizes, and forms? If you have any questions about blister packaging services, or need any clarification, please feel free to ask in the comments.