Paper Forming Shoulder: 3 Questions Producers Ask Us Most

Switching to paper packaging starts with one question: will a paper forming shoulder work on your line? Which settings work? Can your machine handle it? Which paper fits best?

Dr. Henry Drut, founder of FormerFab, answers the three questions we hear most often from producers moving to paper packaging.

Do Plastic Film Settings Also Work for Paper Forming Shoulders?

Plastic film is flexible, so it usually runs with consistent results on standard equipment.

Paper works differently. Fiber-based materials don’t run properly on a forming shoulder built for plastic film. The reverse doesn’t work either. Each material demands its own forming geometry.

We test your material during development, so your forming shoulder is built for paper from the start, not adapted afterward.

Can My Existing Machine Process Flexible Paper?

Often, yes. Small adjustments to sealing temperature and timing help your line adapt.

The real focus is the forming shoulder itself. It must be engineered for your specific paper, especially in the forming area, where fiber direction and stiffness matter most. We calculate this with our own proprietary software, down to the smallest detail. Read more on our Forming Shoulders for Paper page.

Which Paper Do You Recommend?

There’s no single answer. Every paper differs in texture, appearance, barrier properties, and feel. The right choice depends on your product and your packaging goals.

We connect you with European paper manufacturers who can help you find the right material. You choose the paper. We engineer the forming shoulder to match it, built specifically for your machine.

Click here and send us your material specs. We’ll show you what’s possible for your line.