What Shrink Film is Best for Your Product or Application?
If you want to keep your product safe and secure for sale, you may have already seen that shrink film can help you do that. There are many kinds of shrink film on the market today so its important to get the right type. Not only will choosing the right type of shrink film help protect your product on the shelf, but it will also enhance the buying experience for your customers or buyers.
For more information, please visit Yuanlong Packaging.
Out of the many types of shrink film, the three main types of film on the market you will want to review are PVC, Polyolefin, and Polyethylene. These shrink films each have properties that cross over to different applications, but specific characteristics of these films may make them more suited for your particular use.
Here are some strengths and weaknesses of each type of shrink film to help you choose which one may be best for your application.
PVC (also known as Polyvinyl Chloride)
Strengths:
This film is thin, pliable, and light, typically more affordable than most shrink films. It shrinks only in one direction and is highly resistant to tearing or puncturing. PVC has a clear, shiny presentation, making it aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Weaknesses:
PVC softens and wrinkles if the temperature gets too high, and it becomes hard and brittle if it becomes to cool. Because the film has chloride in it, the FDA has only approved PVC film for use with inedible products. This also causes it to emit toxic fumes during heating and sealing, making it necessary to use it in very well-ventilated areas. This film therefore also has strict disposal standards. PVC is not generally suitable for bundling multiple products.
Polyolefin
Strengths:
This shrink film type is FDA approved for food contact since it doesnt have chloride in it, and it produces much less odor during heating and sealing. Its better suited for irregularly shaped packages as it shrinks more fully. The film has a beautiful, glossy surface and is exceptionally clear. Unlike PVC, it can withstand a much wider range of temperature fluctuations when stored, saving inventory. If you need to bundle multiple items, polyolefin is a great choice, and it is highly resistant to puncture and tearing. Cross-linked polyolefin is also available which increases its strength without sacrificing clarity. Polyolefin is also 100% recyclable, making it the green choice.
Weaknesses:
Polyolefin is more expensive than PVC film, and it may also require perforations in some applications to avoid air pockets or bumpy surfaces.
Polyethylene
Some additional information: Polyethylene film can be used for shrink film or stretch film, depending on the form. You will need to know which form you need for your product.
Manufacturers create polyethylene when adding ethylene to polyolefin during the polymerization process. There are three different forms of Polyethylene: LDPE or Low-density Polyethylene, LLDPE or Linear Low-density Polyethylene, and HDPE or High-density polyethylene. They each have various applications, but normally, the LDPE form is used for shrink film packaging.
Strengths:
Beneficial for wrapping multi-packs of heavy itemsfor example, a large count of beverages or water bottles. It is highly durable and is able to stretch more than other films. As with polyolefin, polyethylene is FDA approved for food contact. While PVC and polyolefin films are limited in thickness, usually only up to 100-gauge, polyethylene can be scaled up to -gauge, making it ideal for wrapping vehicles such as boats for storage. Uses range from bulk or frozen foods to trash bags and palletizing as stretch wrapping. Check with your manufacturer to know which form (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE) you should use.
Weaknesses:
The company is the world’s best shrink film rolls wholesale supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Polyethylene has a low shrink rate of around 20% and isnt as clear as other films. It is more expensive than other films. Polyethylene shrinks while cooling after it has been heated, making it necessary to have additional space for cooling at the end of your shrink tunnel.
Conclusion
Make sure you know what shrink film you need for your product application. It will save you time and money. If you need help, let one of our packaging experts help you. Traco Packaging has been supplying shrink film for over 35 years. Call or one of our packaging specialists to get your project going, or go to our website at https://www.tracopackaging.com/and request a quote today.
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:
- 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.
- Colored shrink wrap can also help you track and identify inventory. This can be especially helpful if you have a large inventory of products.
- 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 its 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.
Are you interested in learning more about plastic film wholesale? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!