Choose a thermoformer if…
you produce high, steady volumes of a few formats, want to avoid tray stock and have room for a line with compressed air and cooling.
Thermoformer vs tray sealer
Both close food packs with film and heat, and both can work under vacuum or modified atmosphere. The difference is the pack: a thermoformer makes it in line from rollstock; a tray sealer seals trays that arrive ready-made.
Key differences
| Thermoformer | Tray sealer | |
|---|---|---|
| Pack | Formed in line from a roll of film | Preformed tray |
| Packaging formats | Vacuum, vacuum + gas (MAP); skin with rigid film on some models | Seal only, gas flush, MAP and skin (VSP), depending on the model |
| Reference output | 4–6 cycles/min; up to 12 under vacuum (NEX-420A-U) | From 450 trays/hour on manual units to automatic lines |
| Space | Lines about 3 to 6 m long | From 38 cm tabletop units to lines of about 3 m |
| Format change | Change of mould and forming tooling | Change of tray mould |
| Consumables | Two rolls of film (bottom and top) | Preformed trays and a roll of lidding film |
Reference data from NEXALPACK specification sheets; each project is confirmed in the quotation.
When to choose each
Choose a tray sealer if…
your product is sold in a rigid tray, you change format often, you are starting with small runs or you need a MAP or skin presentation in a tray.
If in doubt…
start from the pack your customer wants. The pack decides the technology; then the hourly output decides the model.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, a thermoformer or a tray sealer?
It depends on the model and configuration: a manual tray sealer is far smaller and simpler than a thermoforming line. In production, pack cost also counts: preformed trays versus film on a roll. We work it out in the quotation.
Can both pack in modified atmosphere?
Yes. Thermoformers do vacuum + gas flush, and tray sealers configured for MAP evacuate, inject gas and seal.
And for skin packaging?
Skin tray sealers (tabletop, semi-automatic, rotary or automatic with VSP) are the most direct option. In thermoforming, some models accept skin with rigid film.
Compare the models
YOUR NEXT PACKAGING PROJECTGreat products deserve
Tell us what you want to pack ↗