What you need to know! - MacKenzie and Partners Inc. - Packing Films, Systems and Solutions

Shrink-wrapping is the process of covering a product with clear or printed plastic film that shrinks when heated to contour tightly around the shape of the product. Shrink-wrapping, or shrink-wrap, is also the term used for the plastic film used in this process.

Shrink-wrapping plastic can shrink to various percentages of its original size, so it can be cut quite loosely. It can be purchased in large rolls or a variety of precut sizes. Small uniform items such as CDs can be slipped into shrink-wrap bags that are already sealed on three sides. The open side is sealed and the entire package heated so that the bag shrinks to an exact fit.

Shrink-wrapping equipment can be relatively affordable for home and hobby use. Shrink-wrapping systems such as L-bar sealers; form fill and seal or side sealers combined with quality shrink tunnels are fairly major purchases. They are similar to paper cutters, but the blade is replaced with a sealing head comprised of a heated wire or knife. Bringing the sealing head down on a folded-over piece of shrink-wrap puts the wire or knife in contact with the material, cutting, heating and sealing the wrap.

Shrink-wrap films come on rolls; the rolls come in a wide range of widths and thick nesses. When shrink-wrap film is folded over before being rolled onto cardboard cylinders, this product is called center folded film. When not folded it is called single wound. This makes it easy to shrink-wrap in quantity -- the material is pulled through a sealer, the item is slipped between the two layers of wrap, and then a wire or knife slices the material off the roll and seals it. The item can be turned 90 degrees and trimmed on the other edges before using the heating element for shrinking.

For rapid shrinking, manufacturers use a heating chamber; these come in a variety of sizes and degrees of automation. For home or hobby use, a heat gun or even a hairdryer can be used. If using a heat gun, you must be careful to keep the heat source moving. It is quite easy to burn a hole through the shrink film by lingering too long on one spot.

Manufacturers and hobbyists alike turn to shrink-wrapping to protect and display their goods. A shrink-wrapped item in a store will remain clean no matter how many people pick it up and examine it, yet the item within remains fully visible. Good quality films will offer high gloss and point of purchase appeal to the product being displayed. Shrink-wrapping also offers a psychological benefit to the consumer, creating an “untouched by human hands” appearance that makes your goods look 'factory-fresh.'

MacKenzie and Partners Inc. - Packing Films, Systems and Solutions