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Vacuum thermoforming is one of the most common ways to make plastic packaging and light industrial parts today. Many factories choose this method because it is fast, cost-effective, and flexible. With just one machine, you can create many types of plastic products in different shapes and sizes. In this article, we look at what products can be made using a vacuum thermoforming machine, and how you can decide if this process fits your own production needs.
A vacuum thermoforming machine heats a plastic sheet until it becomes soft. Then, vacuum pressure pulls the sheet onto a mold to form the final shape. After cooling and cutting, the finished product is ready to use. WYLONG’s multi-station thermoforming machines use this method to create high-precision plastic containers, lids, cups, trays, and lightweight parts. Our machines work with PP, PET, PVC, PS, and PLA sheets, and support sheet thicknesses from 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm, covering most packaging needs.
Food & Consumer Packaging Products
Vacuum thermoforming is widely used for everyday food packaging because it is clean, hygienic, and cost-efficient. Common products include:
Food trays and meal trays
Clamshell containers for fruits and vegetables
Dessert cups, yogurt cups, and portion containers
Meat and seafood trays
Disposable takeaway trays and lids
These products are typically made using WYLONG machines such as the ZHD multi-station thermoforming line or the automatic lid forming machine.
Medical & Pharmaceutical Products
The medical industry uses vacuum thermoforming because the plastic is lightweight, easy to clean, and safe for sterile environments. Typical examples include:
Medical blister packs
Instrument trays
Test kit trays
Device covers and small housings
Thermoforming helps medical manufacturers produce custom shapes quickly and at a lower cost compared to injection molding.
Industrial & Logistics Products
Many factories use thermoformed trays to organize, transport, and protect parts during production or shipping. Common industrial products include:
Dunnage trays
Electronic component trays
Anti-static trays for chips and PCBs
Tool organizer trays
Protective inserts for fragile goods
These trays help reduce damage, improve workflow, and support warehouse automation.
Retail, Display & Branding Products
Thermoforming also creates packaging that improves how products look on store shelves. Examples include:
Cosmetic inner trays
Gift box inserts
Product display trays
Clear display covers
Because thermoforming offers smooth surfaces and clean shapes, brands often use it for premium packaging.
Automotive, Electronics & Appliance Parts
Vacuum thermoforming can also produce lightweight and durable parts used in cars, appliances, and electronic devices. Examples include:
Small interior panels and covers
Air duct covers
Refrigerator drawers and liners
Small appliance housings
These parts benefit from thermoforming’s good strength-to-weight ratio and lower tooling cost.
Custom & Special Thermoformed Products
One of the biggest advantages of thermoforming is flexibility. You can easily make custom shapes and small-batch items such as:
Custom organizers
Prototypes
Short-run display samples
Specialty packaging for unique products
This makes thermoforming helpful for companies testing new designs or creating customized packaging.
| Category | Product Types | Typical Examples |
| Food & Consumer Packaging Products | Trays, cups, lids, clamshells | Food trays, fruit clamshells, yogurt cups, dessert cups, takeaway lids |
| Medical & Pharmaceutical Products | Blister packs, trays, covers | Syringe trays, medical blister packs, test kit trays, small device covers |
| Industrial & Logistics Products | Dunnage trays, ESD trays, organizers | Auto part trays, PCB trays, anti-static trays, tool trays |
| Retail, Display & Branding Products | Inserts, display trays, clear covers | Cosmetic inserts, gift box trays, display trays, transparent covers |
| Automotive, Electronics & Appliance Parts | Light panels, covers, liners | Air duct covers, small interior panels, refrigerator drawers, appliance housings |
| Custom & Special Thermoformed Products | Custom shapes, prototypes, samples | Custom organizers, packaging inserts, prototype trays, display samples |
Your product is usually a good match for vacuum thermoforming if the shape is not too complex, the wall thickness falls between 0.2–2.0 mm, and the production volume is medium to large. Thermoforming is also a strong choice when you want lower mold cost compared to injection molding and need a lightweight yet durable structure. If your product meets these conditions, vacuum thermoforming is often the most efficient and economical solution.
Vacuum thermoforming is a highly flexible and efficient process that can create many different plastic products—from food trays and clamshells to medical packaging, industrial trays, and custom inserts. Because it offers fast production, lower tooling cost, and strong forming performance, it has become one of the most reliable methods for packaging and lightweight parts in many industries. If your product requires clean shapes, medium-to-large output, and good material strength, thermoforming is often the most practical and cost-effective choice. WYLONG supports these needs with a complete line of thermoforming machines, including multi-station forming machines, cup-forming systems, and automatic lid machines.
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