Ice pack sheets: same products, different names
Ice pack sheets, cooling sheets and gel mats are, in practice, the same products: thin, flexible sheets with multiple gel cells that you use to ship temperature-sensitive goods chilled. Only the name differs. At Cooled Solutions you will find them together in the ice pack sheets collection, available from stock and manufactured by us since 1972.
These sheets are also called ice mats, cool sheets or flexible gel packs. Below you will find the names, the properties and the sizes.
One type of product, many names
On our product pages we call the product an ice pack sheet, and we also use the names ice pack XL, cooling sheet, gel mat, ice mat and flexible gel ice pack.
All of these names describe the same thing: a flat sheet with a grid of cells. Each cell contains a super-absorbent granulate. You activate the sheet yourself with water, freeze it and place it in the box. It is, in other words, a flexible cooling element in sheet form.
Cooling sheets, gel mats and ice mats
The common names for this product are cooling sheet (cooling sheets), gel mat (gel mats) and ice mat (ice mats). A cold mat is another name for the same sheet. One last name is flexible gel packs. You cool them by freezing them, and they are delivered flat and empty.
Spellings and related names
In other spellings this product is also written as ice pack sheet, icepack sheet, icepack sheets, ice pack XL, ice gel sheet, gel ice sheet, cool sheets and cooling sheet.
Properties of ice pack sheets
These are the properties that apply to our ice pack sheets.
- Delivered flat and empty, so little storage space is needed before use.
- Immerse in water for 5 to 10 minutes, after which the cells swell into a firm gel mat.
- Freezing is possible from -5 °C to -80 °C.
- The sheet stays flexible after freezing.
- Can be torn off to size along the perforation.
- Leak-proof and food-safe, and the gel does not release meltwater.
Which size fits your package?
Within the collection, the number of cells and therefore the size varies. Below you can see the sheets with their dimensions and the quantity per box.
| Cells | Dimensions | Per box |
|---|---|---|
| 2 x 3 | 140 x 200 mm | 2,000 pcs |
| 3 x 4 | 200 x 280 mm | 1,000 pcs |
| 2 x 6 | 140 x 400 mm | 1,000 pcs |
| 4 x 6 | 280 x 400 mm | 500 pcs |
There is also a 4 x 6 version with perforation per 2 x 3 cells and a roll version that is 400 mm wide and 140 meters long, with perforation per 2 x 6 cells. The smallest sheet fits in small boxes and mailer packages. The 3 x 4 size is the versatile standard sheet for meal boxes. The elongated sheet of 140 x 400 mm suits narrow products such as fillets and bottles, and the largest sheet covers a large box in a single layer.
What do you use them for?
The flat sheet cools evenly under or on top of the product. That is why ice pack sheets are used for fish, sushi, meat, charcuterie, meals and pharma samples. They fit in flat packaging where thick gel packs do not. On request we also supply the sheets with your own printing. You can read more about use in boxes in our blog on shipping meal boxes chilled.
The difference from a gel pack or a hard element is covered in ice pack sheets or gel packs. For the different versions of gel packs themselves, see our gel ice packs collection and our cooling elements collection.
Frequently asked questions about ice pack sheets
Is a gel mat the same as a cooling sheet?
Yes. Gel mat and cooling sheet are two names for the flexible sheet with gel cells. Ice mats and cold mats also refer to this type of product.
What is the difference between an ice pack sheet and an ice pack XL?
On our product pages, ice pack XL is another name for the same sheet. You choose the size based on the number of cells and the dimensions in millimeters.
How do I activate a cooling sheet?
You immerse the sheet in water for 5 to 10 minutes, so that the cells swell into a firm gel mat. After that you freeze it and it is ready for use.
View the full ice pack sheets collection. Our specialists are happy to help you think through size or quantity. You can also have a custom quote prepared via ice pack sheets.
You will find all names in our glossary.
