5 Things to Know Before Buying Shrink Film

Essential Tips to Consider Before Purchasing Shrink Film

Are you in the market for shrink film for your business? You might be a fresh graduate aiming to make your mark in the purchasing department or an experienced purchasing manager tasked with this critical buy for the first time.

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Purchasing shrink film is far more complex than merely visiting an online store, choosing a film type, and completing the purchase. If you've gone that route already, you may have realized you acquired the wrong film type for your machinery.

Perhaps the film you selected is functional but the gauge is incorrect, leading to wasted dollars on each packaged product. Alternatively, you might have chosen a film that lacks the appropriate heat resistance, resulting in a melted disaster in your products and heat tunnel.

Whatever challenges have brought you here, it’s evident that you need to address several critical questions before placing an order for shrink film for your business. Understanding what to ask will ensure that you purchase the right film for your packaging applications.

At Industrial Packaging, we have assisted thousands of businesses over several decades to select the ideal type, size, gauge, and formulation of shrink film suitable for their packaging needs. New customers consult with us to navigate the questions they need to consider to optimize their packaging lines effectively.

What Items Will You Be Shrink Wrapping?

Before placing your order for shrink film, it's essential to identify the products you intend to wrap. First and foremost, what items are you planning to package with shrink film?

If you’re wrapping fresh produce, it's advisable to use polyolefin film which can be customized with perforations for breathability and anti-fog properties to ensure a clear presentation and prevent condensation.

When packaging consumer goods such as toys or games, polyolefin or PVC may work well. Many are transitioning away from PVC, however, if you're using it for fragrances such as those found in candles, PVC is necessary due to the chemical breakdown that polyolefin would undergo.

For packaging bottled water, canned vegetables, or sauces, polyethylene film is the recommended choice. If your items include CDs, DVDs, or gaming and software boxes, PVC is your best bet.

Are you swallowing heat-sensitive products? It’s crucial to determine if your items should even be packaged in shrink film. Certain products may not withstand the heat generated during the shrink wrapping process.

If you're unsure whether your products can undergo heat tunnel processing, you should partner with your selected vendor for a test run. Utilizing a dummy product and heat-sensitive tape will indicate whether your items are suitable for such processes. This testing should ideally be conducted by your local packaging expert to adhere to safety protocols.

What Type of Packaging Equipment Do You Have?

What is the method you’re using to shrink wrap your film? Are you using a heat tunnel, heat gun, or a hairdryer (which we hope is not the case)? Be sure to consider the equipment you deploy to shrink wrap your items before making a purchase.

The selection of film you can use is dictated by the machinery operational specifications. After identifying your machinery type, check its parameters to figure out what types of films can function with it effectively.

Finding the suitable film type tailored for your machinery will facilitate your search for the right shrink film.

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