How to Choose Packaging for Candies and Gummies?

Last week, an overseas client who makes functional vitamin gummies rushed to schedule a video call with me. He explained that after purchasing food packaging from another supplier, the new flavor of gummies they had spent a fortune developing had arrived at their customers’ doors via sea freight—only to find that they had all stuck together into one big clump, with droplets of water covering the surface.

This is actually a common pitfall for many startup food brands: they spend all their money on product development and flashy packaging designs, yet overlook the most critical protective feature of candy packaging—moisture resistance.

If you’re currently looking for the right custom packaging for your gummies or candies, be sure to avoid these three common pitfalls—the ones we see most often in our workshop and that most easily lead to product spoilage—before you even contact a factory for samples.

Pitfall #1: Focusing Only on Aesthetics and Ignoring “WVTR/OTR” Metrics

Many new brands send us stunning design mockups, but when asked about material requirements, they often only say, “We want a high-end matte finish.”

Put simply, gummy packaging shouldn’t just be a pretty face. In the packaging industry, there are two critical technical metrics: WVTR (Water Vapor Transmission Rate) and OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate).
Some single-layer plastic films may look thick, but they’re actually riddled with microscopic pores invisible to the naked eye. If the WVTR value is too high, moisture in the air will easily penetrate the packaging, causing your gummies to absorb moisture and become sticky almost immediately. Reputable packaging manufacturers, when receiving a candy order, will always start by matching your product’s ingredients with a composite barrier film that offers ultra-high moisture and oxygen barrier properties.

Misconception 2: Choosing the Wrong Sealing Method (Cold Sealing vs. Heat Sealing)

Don’t underestimate the importance of sealing. Many clients, in pursuit of faster production line speeds, blindly opt for standard packaging bag structures.

For most candies, heat sealing is the most common and secure option. However, if your soft candies have an extremely low melting point (such as certain gelatin-based varieties), the high temperature of the sealing machine may cause the candies near the bag opening to melt, resulting in a sticky seal and air leakage.
In such cases, if you’re working with an experienced packaging manufacturer, we’ll recommend adjusting the material composition of the heat-seal layer or adopting a high-quality cold-seal process for special products, ensuring every piece of candy is both secure and perfectly sealed the moment the bag is closed.

Misconception 3: Blindly Using Cheap Single-Layer Materials to Save Money

“Why are your bags a little more expensive than others?” This is a question I hear often. But you must understand that saving a few cents on packaging costs could ruin the reputation of your entire shipment.

Cheap single-layer packaging simply cannot withstand the drastic fluctuations in temperature and humidity during long-distance ocean transport. Once temperature differences become significant, condensation easily forms on the inner surface of the packaging, directly shortening the shelf life. High-quality moisture-proof food packaging typically features a multi-layer composite structure: the outer layer handles attractive printing and puncture resistance; the middle layer (such as aluminum foil or a metallized layer) acts as a barrier against moisture and light; and the inner layer uses food-grade PE film that comes into direct contact with the candy.

What are the three essential requirements for high-standard candy packaging in 2026?

To summarize, if you want your gummy candies to remain chewy and bouncy even after sitting on the shelf for six months, keep these three points in mind when selecting packaging:

High-barrier materials: Must have extremely low WVTR and OTR values.

Absolute food-grade safety: The inner contact surface must comply with FDA or SGS certification and must not allow odor migration.

Food-grade paper tubes can fully address the challenges you face
1. Our paper tubes are made from high-density paper, ensuring they won’t deform from compression during shipping.
2. These moisture-proof tubes prevent candies from sticking together due to excessive humidity during transit.
3. Paper tubes offer a more significant premium over plastic packaging.

Are your gummies still getting damp due to packaging issues?

Don’t let poor packaging ruin your great product. Our factory helps snack brands worldwide solve moisture-related challenges every day. If you’re looking for a reliable custom candy packaging solution, feel free to send us details about your product’s form and shelf life requirements at any time. Our engineering team will provide tailored material recommendations and arrange for free material samples to be sent to you!