The terms thin gauge and thick gauge thermoforming relate to the sheet thickness of the thermoplastic material to be formed. Thin gauge typically means a sheet of less than 1.5 mm. This is used for applications that require lightweight and cost-effective solutions, such as food packaging. Thick gauge thermoforming refers to a sheet thickness of above 3 mm and is used for applications that need more durable plastics, such as automotive parts or housings for machinery. Thermoforming under vacuum is a suitable technique for both thin gauge and thick gauge thermoforming.