4 Advice to Choose a printed shrink film

What type of shrink film should I use?

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We get some form of this question all the time. There are some general protocols and information available to answer this question. However, the truth is, there isn't a quick and straightforward answer.

And still, you visit our website, or perhaps even one of our competitors, and ask questions like this. You are probably looking for an answer through live chat, , or, worst-case scenario, a call.

And hey, it's . I get it. We all want instant gratification. We want what modern technology is supposedly able to give us. But your packaging line, products, and processes are all highly case-sensitive. They are unique to your business.

There are some situations where a simple answer may be provided. However, more often than not, the ability to correctly answer this question is based on your response to several questions. A process of which is far more involved than what you can achieve through live chat.

To correctly answer this question well, there needs to be a proper understanding of your packaging line. We need to understand your products (their weight, size, shape), the machinery you currently run, and other related dynamics.

After more than 65 years in the packaging industry, Industrial Packaging has identified the specific questions you need to answer to find the proper shrink film. The four questions that we cover in this article will help anyone provide appropriate recommendations for the best shrink film for your products.

This article will provide you with the insight necessary to collect the information that we need. In addition, this will help us to give you the proper recommendations for the best shrink film for your products.

Start By Collecting Information From Your Vendors

Who should be your first stop in finding the best shrink film? It might seem silly for us to say that a packaging distributor like Industrial Packaging shouldn’t be your first call.

We are always happy to help, but the next part of the conversation can sometimes frustrate customers. We will often ask a selection of questions such as, what type of materials are you currently using?

What type of shrink machinery are you using? What kind of tunnel and sealer are you using? How about your conveyors, do you know what kind they are? What gauge of shrink film are you running at the moment? What is your daily volume of packages wrapped?

Often, our prospects will not have many, if any, answers to these questions. And when we ask them, they expect us to have some of the answers! But, of course, if we have never seen your packaging line before, we won't know any of that information beyond what you provide us.

So, where can you begin to collect this information to provide us with the ability to give you the answers you seek? A good starting place would be the current vendors you’re are buying your materials and machinery from.

Need Help Choosing The Right Shrink Film?

What Information Should You Have In Advance Of Trying To Buy Shrink Film?

Many of the people we talk to want answers quickly. But, they often do not have the required information that we need to assist them.

For example, we recently received the question, "what film should I use to wrap the boxes we use to package our products"?

Our response was, well, what is the box made out of? Is it cardboard? Paperboard? Another type of material? The prospect did not know, nor did they have much to offer regarding our other qualifying questions.

We care too much about your satisfaction to recommend shrink film without the answers to those questions. However, if you find a packaging company to give you a recommendation without this context, it might be a red flag.

The questions that any packaging company needs to have answered to provide the best shrink film recommendations are:

What Type Of Packaging Machinery Are You Running?

The type of packaging machinery you use is closely tied to the volume of packaged products you're hitting every day.

Suppose you are wrapping fifty paperboard boxes a day with a heat gun. In that case, the answer to that question will be very different from a company that packages ten thousand boxes an hour.

Knowing how many packages you are producing and what machinery you’re currently using are two pieces of necessary information to know. Without this information, you are asking us to take a shot in the dark.

What Type Of Packaging Materials Are You Running?

You will need to know in advance what packaging materials you are currently using. Find this out before you ask for a shrink film recommendation. This way, the vendor will have the information required to advise you properly.

The company is the world’s best printed shrink film supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

With the information provided above, the vendor will be able to identify if that material is correct. If not, they will be able to suggest a more appropriate shrink film for your packaging.

What Type Of Products Are You Packaging?

While it may seem trivial, this is important for us to garner to help you find the proper film. In addition to the type of products you are packaging, we will need to know your products' weight, size, shape, width, length, and height.

Shrink film is not a "one size fits all" packaging solution, and the metrics mentioned above each play a role in choosing the proper film. We will need this information before giving you the sought-after recommendation for shrink film that you are seeking.

Should You Use Shrink Film To Package Your Products?

So how do you determine if shrink film is a good fit for you? Well, first off, you may want to run a heat test before sending an item into a shrink tunnel. This is done by sending a "dummy" product through the tunnel with heat-sensitive tape.

The tapes will indicate if the products being packaged should even be sent through a heat tunnel in the first place. Talk to your local packaging expert and request a heat test with these tapes. They will be able to produce a test to see if this is the right solution for you.

If not, they will be able to identify which type of packaging materials are, in fact, the correct choice for your packaging applications.

Where Can You Learn More About Shrink Film?

Now that you know all the questions you need to answer and the information you need to provide in advance of buying shrink film, what should you do next?

Well, the truth is, the more you know about shrink film, the better you will be able to find the correct type of shrink film for your packaging needs. If you are interested in finding out which type of shrink film is best for you, you will want to read The Complete Guide to Shrink Film.

This free resource is filled with tons of useful information about shrink film. With the information in this guide, you will have everything you need to identify the correct type of shrink film for your product packaging needs.

When it comes to shrink wrap film, there are a wide variety of options available on the market. Not only do you need to decide what type of film is best for your product, but you also need make sure it's the right type of packaging for your application. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of shrink wrap film and how to choose the right one for your application.

What is shrink film?

Shrink wrap film is a polyethylene plastic film that is used to protect and wrap products. It is heated and then tightly wrapped around the product, causing it to shrink in size. This creates a watertight and tamper-proof seal. There are three main types of products that are most commonly found in the shrink film market.

General Shrink Applications

Polyolefin shrink film is a type of shrink wrap film that is made from polyethylene. It is the most common type of shrink film and more affordable option than PVC shrink wrap. Polyolefin films have a wide range of shrink solutions because of it's well balanced shrink characteristics. This type of shrink film can be used for stationary, food, electronics and many other applications. It is also non-toxic and recyclable.

Candle and Soap Applications

PVC shrink film is a type of shrink wrap film that is made from polyvinyl chloride. PVC shrink film is available in both clear and opaque varieties. It used to be the most common style of shrink film but has since changed because of its shrink properties and characteristics, it requires very special handling and storage. PVC shrink film is most commonly used in candle and soap applications.

Bundling Applications

Polyethylene shrink film is also known as bundling film. This film lacks ideal optical characteristics which results in very limited shrink potential. Bundling shrink film is a type of shrink wrap film that is used to secure multiple items together. It is most commonly used in the packaging industry to keep products together during shipping.

Types of Specialty Films

Glossy

When it comes to shrink wrap film, glossy is often the preferred type for packaging products. There are several benefits of using glossy film, including:

• A high gloss finish that makes products look more appealing
• Improved clarity and vibrancy of colors
• Enhanced printing quality
• Greater protection from UV radiation

These benefits make glossy shrink wrap ideal for packaging products that need to look their best, such as food items, cosmetics, and high-end retail products. If you're not sure whether glossy or opaque would be better for your product, our team of experts can help you make the right decision.

Opaque

Opaque shrink wrap is beneficial for a few reasons. First, it provides extra security and tamper evidence for products. If a customer tries to remove the shrink wrap, they will be easily able to tell that it has been tampered with. Additionally, opaque shrink wrap can help protect products from UV light damage. It is a great option for products that are sensitive to light or need to be stored in a dark environment. Finally, opaque shrink wrap can also help control temperature inside of a package. This is beneficial for products that are temperature sensitive or need to be kept cold during shipping.

Metallized

Metallized shrink wrap is a type of film that has a metallic coating. The metallic coating reflects heat and light, which helps to keep the product inside the packaging cool by preventing the product from being exposed to light. This type of film is beneficial for applications where the product needs to be protected from heat or light.

Colored

There are a number of reasons why colored shrink wrap can be beneficial for your packaging application. Some of the benefits include:

1. Colored shrink wrap can add a visual pop to your product and make it more eye-catching. This can help your product stand out on store shelves and increase sales.
2. Colored shrink wrap can also help you track and identify inventory. This can be especially helpful if you have a large inventory of products.
3. Colored shrink wrap can also provide UV protection for your product. This is important for products that are sensitive to light or heat.

When choosing colored shrink wrap for your packaging application, it is important to consider the following factors:

• The type of product you are packaging.
• The environment in which the product will be stored or used.
• The type of equipment you have for packaging.

If you have any questions about choosing the right type of shrink packaging film for your application, please contact a packaging expert.

Thanks for reading!

Choosing the right type of shrink wrap film for your product and application can be difficult. That's why it’s important to know about all of the different types that are available, their benefits, and what they should be used for. In this article we reviewed what shrink film is and the most popular types of shrink film available. Keep in mind, you will also need to consider your shrink film size, thickness of shrink film, and length of the roll of film. If you're still unsure which shrink wrap film is right for you, reach out and speak with a shrink film specialist today. 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website stretch hood film.