The aim of this study was to prepare edible antimicrobial packaging using chitosan and clove essential oil as film-forming materials. The film was first prepared and then the percentages of different components were determined according to the test of thickness, mechanical property and antibacterial property of the film formed, to ensure the final film would have the optimal properties. When 1.0% mass fraction of glycerol, 20 mg/mL mass fraction of chitosan and 1.0% mass fraction of clove essential oil were added, the clove essential oil chitosan antimicrobial packaging film had the best mechanical property and antibacterial property. Therefore, the optimal design of preparing clove essential oil antimicrobial food packaging material could be achieved by determination of the contents of final components through testing of film properties.