Shrink Wrap

Almost any type of store a shopper walks into will encounter items enclosed in shrink wrap, whether it's a CD store, a store specializing in bath lotions, a bookstore, a card shop, or even the grocery store.

What Is Shrink Wrap?

Shrink wrap is typically a clear film. Shrink film falls into one of two categories: polyvinyl (PVC) and polyolefin. Retail typically uses polyolefin because it's glossy, clear, and durable. Shrink wrap film ranges in thickness from three-fourths of an inch to one inch. When heat is applied to this film, it shrinks in size and conforms to the product's shape. The shrink wrap encloses the product in its entirety; and a seal forms over the product it is covering.

Where Is Shrink Wrap Used?

Shrink wrap is used on anything from notebooks to magazines to batteries. Even large items such as boats, cars, and RVs can be shrink-wrapped to protect them from the elements while in storage.

Types of Shrink Wrap Equipment

The type of shrink wrap equipment used depends on the size of the product that needs to be shrink-wrapped and the speed with which it needs to be shrink-wrapped. Some shrink wrap machines can wrap hundreds of products an hour, while others wrap just a few products an hour. There are shrink wrap machines for small items such as CDs, DVDs, and software, just as there are machines that shrink wrap larger items such as electronics and furniture pieces. The following are some of the more common types of shrink wrap machines:

• Straight Bar Sealers: A heat gun shrinks the film. These are able to process a few items per hour.
• L-Bar Sealers: These seal and cut the film in one movement with electricity rather than heat.
• Vacuum Sealers: These remove the air from a package before sealing it. They then expose the package to heat to shrink the film.
• Continuous Band Sealers: These seal a variety of bags that contain liquids, food, or other materials that easily spill.
• Sleeve Wrappers: These take a sleeve of film and shrink it around the top of a container (i.e., a box or jar).

Why Use Shrink Wrap?

Shrink wrap is used to protect products from dust, moisture, dirt, contamination, and damage from transport. Shrink wrap also ensures the freshness of a product (which is obviously important in dealing with food or chemical products), and it makes the finished product look professional.

By Jennifer K.