Shrink wrap is a wonderful packaging solution. This is popular for its exceptional protection and security of items in retail and shipping. Shrink wrap is made from different material each with its own characteristics. It is important to understand these to ensure that you select appropriate shrink wrap to match your business requirements. Read on to discover the various materials for shrink wrap and their particular features.
Basic features of shrink wrap regardless of material
All types of shrink wrap come in multilayers con-extruded using various additives. These give the material special barrier features necessary to give shrink wrap appearance and shelf life. Shrink wrap is flattened into bags, rollstock, tubing, overwrap, and banding. These forms tamper resistance to protect packed goods. Here is a guide to shrink wrap material to make your selection easier.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
This is a popular shrink wrapping material for being lightweight and cheap. PVC shrink wrap is highly durable when rigid for its combination of carbon, chlorine, and hydrogen. Its versatility makes this packaging material appropriate for various applications including homeware items and construction projects. For product packaging, PVC is appropriate in rigid applications such as clamshell and blister packaging.
When looking for a heat shrink wrap supplier , with a range of PVC shrink film products in different gauges. Additionally, the supplier should provide recyclable materials for environmental sustainability. This allows for selecting the ideal material for your packaging. Some of the applications of this packaging material include:
CDs
Frames
Crafts
Toys
Furniture
Gift baskets
Soaps
Kindles
Jewel cases
Software programs
Printed paper materials
Polyolefin (POF)
This premium shrink wrap is extremely durable and versatile. POF shrink wrap is FDA approved making it safe for storing food items . Polyolefin is cross-linked with features including high tensile strength and clarity during high-speed packaging projects. This packaging material also limits buildup on sealing equipment. Longer rolls of POF are available with extra strength and thinner gauges to limit roll change over. This enhances productivity and efficiency.
Polyolefin has exceptional seal strength and puncture resistance for wrapping items with irregular shapes. This gives the products excellent protection during their supply chain cycle. Low-cost POF is versatile and easy to use in multiple machines. All these make it a go-to solution when searching for appropriate packaging. For products that need special packaging, perforating polyolefin is necessary. This requires making tiny holes to the material before wrapping for air to escape when shrinking to make a smooth package. A reputable supplier might have POF with perforation.
Special features of polyolefin shrink wrap include:
High tensile strength
Resistance to tear
Shrinking without air pockets
Quick and complete shrinking
Bundles multiple products together
Not affected by temperature changes
FDA approved for food packaging
100 percent recyclable materials
Exceptional clarity and glossy shelf appearance
Polyethylene (PE)
This is a type of polyolefin for a single monomer wrap formed through the addition of ethylene from polymerization. PE is used in various applications requiring flexible protective packagings such as stretch wrapping and shrink wrapping. Keep in mind that PE performs differently in various circumstances. This shrink material comes in options including:
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Each form of PE is for various industrial applications although LDPE is popular for shrink packaging. This comes with extra strength and durability making it ideal for wrapping heavier items and multipacks of products. PE shrink wrap is printable with excellent graphics to brand your products without compromising durability.
Polyethylene is available in higher gauges thicknesses including 1200, unlike PVC and POF. This thickness makes PE ideal for packaging in marine industrial applications for wrapping boats in storage. However, this material lacks a high shrink rate and has lower clarity.
Polypropylene
This is the most versatile material for shrink wrapping. Polypropylene shrink wrap is ideal for regular retail packaging. The material shrinks at relatively low temperatures but is strong and makes a strong seal. Find a reputable supplier for Polypropylene rolls offering a blend of plastic packaging and eco-friendliness packaging . This will allow your business to incorporate green packaging that makes your brand stand out.
Some of the benefits of using shrink packaging include:
Provides a cost-efficient packaging option
Utilize unique and sustainable packaging options
Printable shrink wrapping enhances marketing effort
Increasing storage space by wrapping multiple items
No chances of discoloration over time
Transparent to allow seeing contents without opening
Glossy finish to make products more attractive on the shelf
Conclusion
Use of appropriate packaging is essential in the retail and shipping industries. Shrink wrap is a secure, convenient, and cheap packaging solution for a variety of products. It pays to understand the options of shrink wrap materials. This helps in selecting the most appropriate for your business requirements. Selecting the right shrink wrap is vital since each material has particular features that determine suitability for packaging particular items.
