In this study, cellophane (PT) multilayer films were prepared by coating with different thickness of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and chitosan (CH), and its effects on barrier and mechanical properties were evaluated. It was shown that the PCL/PT/PCL and PCL/CH/PT/CH/PCL multilayer films exhibit much better water vapor barrier than PT, and these films still keep the high oxygen barrier. And the barrier properties of multilayer film were improved with the increase of the thickness of coating materials. The Young's modulus and tensile strength of PT multilayer film were slightly decreased, and their elongations at break were increased by coating. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1805-1811, 2013