Ice pack sheets vs gel packs: which to choose?
Ice pack sheets vs gel packs comes down to shape. An ice pack sheet is a flat, flexible sheet that fits in flat packaging and mailer boxes where thick gel packs do not fit. A gel pack is a sealed pouch of gel in a fixed shape.
Both cool without meltwater. Below we set out the differences side by side.
Ice pack sheets vs gel packs: what is the difference at a glance?
A gel pack is a sealed PE pouch with cooling gel inside, in a fixed shape and a fixed weight. We supply them in weights from 200 to 1,000 g, packed per master carton, for example 120 x 150 mm for 200 g and 120 x 210 mm for 400 g. An ice pack sheet is a thin sheet with multiple cells that you receive flat and empty and activate yourself with water. Ice pack sheet vs gel pack: these are two versions of the same idea, cooling with gel.
| Property | Ice pack sheet | Gel pack |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Flat sheet with cells | Fixed pouch |
| Delivered | Flat and empty, you activate with water | Filled and ready to use |
| Custom size | Can be torn off along the perforation | Fixed size per type |
| Per master carton | 500 to 2,000 pcs | 18 to 80 pcs |
| Meltwater | None, leak-proof | None, leak-proof |
When do you choose ice pack sheets?
It lies flat under fish, sushi or a meal and cools evenly from a single surface. It fits in flat packaging and mailer boxes where a thick gel pack does not fit. Because the sheet stays pliable even when frozen, it conforms around an irregular product.
Then there is the way it is delivered. You receive the sheets flat and empty, so they take up hardly any storage space before activation. And along the perforation you tear off exactly the number of cells you need, without wasting gel. If you ship many small chilled packages, the smallest sheet of 140 x 200 mm comes at 2,000 pcs per box.
One caveat: you have to activate the sheets yourself. That means immersing them in water for 5 to 10 minutes, then freezing them.
When do you choose a gel pack?
A gel pack is a ready-filled pouch for boxes or insulated shipping bags. The gel packs are made of sturdy PE, leak-proof and reusable. The gel stays solid, even when thawing, so products stay dry.
Gel packs come in several weights. A 200 g gel pack has a compact size, and a 400 g one is, according to the product data, designed for a long cooling time. How long the cooling lasts exactly depends on the packaging, the outside temperature and the transit time. You can read more about this in our blog Ice pack for shipping: what determines the quantity?.
A gel pack gives off 0 °C. For deep-frozen shipping we offer the PCM pack, which gives off a constant temperature of -18 °C.
Cooling sheets or cooling elements: the practical question
With cooling sheets or cooling elements, the difference is the shape. A cooling element, such as our 400 g element of 160 x 95 x 30 mm, is sturdy and 30 mm thick. A cooling sheet is thin and spreads the cold evenly over the product.
- Flat product in a narrow box or envelope: cooling sheet.
- Multiple products in a large box: a large sheet as a base or top layer, or a combination with elements.
- Cooling all around an irregular product: a sheet that you fold around the product.
- Fixed shape, sturdy and reusable: an element or gel pack in an insulated shipping bag.
You can read more about that trade-off in hard cooling element or gel pack. You will find the related collections at gel ice packs and cooling elements.
Which sheet fits your package then?
If you have chosen a sheet, the box determines the size. We supply 2 x 3 cells (140 x 200 mm), 3 x 4 cells (200 x 280 mm), 2 x 6 cells (140 x 400 mm) and 4 x 6 cells (280 x 400 mm), and also a roll version. An overview per size is in our blog on ice pack sheet sizes. In the ice pack sheets collection you can see the sizes side by side.
Frequently asked questions about ice pack sheets vs gel packs
Does an ice pack sheet cool as well as a gel pack?
That depends on the packaging and the shipment. A sheet cools flat and evenly. We do not state a fixed duration.
Does the choice between an ice pack sheet and a gel pack also come down to cost?
We do not quote prices here. What we can say is that a sheet comes in high quantities per box and can be torn off to size. Ask our specialists for a comparison based on your shipment.
What is the difference between a cooling sheet and a cooling element?
A cooling sheet is thin, flexible and can be torn off to size along the perforation. A cooling element has a hard plastic housing, is reusable hundreds of times, and cooling elements come in 200, 400 and 750 g.
View the ice pack sheets or contact our specialists for a trial package or a custom quote.
You will find all names in our glossary.
