Polyolefin Shrink Film Packaging

Polyolefin shrink film is used across a wide range of industries to wrap and bundle products for retail display and in industrial applications. In the retail sector, where wrapped products are displayed on store shelves or in POP displays (point of purchase), film selection often depends on its optical qualities, which brighten graphics on the package and attract consumer attention. In the industrial sector, optics may not be as significant. Strength and durability are usually more important, since products may be heavy, fragile, or vulnerable to stress during shipment and storage. Films also create a barrier between the wrapped products and the environment, protecting them from contamination and exposure to harmful environmental conditions.

Applications and Characteristics

Manufacturing firms, distribution centers, and contract packaging operations utilize shrinking systems of one type or another in their operations. Among the most common products wrapped in polyolefin shrink film are books, magazines, compact discs, DVDs, medical and pharmaceutical products, household items, consumer packaged goods, processed foods, beverages, hardware items, toys, games, and electronic components and retail goods. Important film characteristics include the following. Shrinkage occurs in both the machine and transverse direction of a film in accordance with its formulation and the amount and duration of heat it is exposed to. Shrink force measures how much pressure is exerted on a product as it is wrapped. A film’s tear strength indicates to what degree a puncture or tear will propagate across the film. Tensile strength measure the amount of force required to break a polyolefin shrink film when it is stretched. Stiffness is a measure of a film’s rigidity. All these qualities vary depending on film formulation, which is why films must be selected carefully to achieve maximum performance in a given application.

Selecting a Polyolefin Shrink Film

For products that have an irregular shape, films with a high level of shrinkage are desirable. This prevents dog ears and other shrink inconsistencies that diminish the visual appeal of the finished package. Films with a high shrink force are suitable for durable products, and create a very tight, clean package. On the other hand, fragile products may be damaged during the shrink process by a film with a high shrink force. A film’s tear strength becomes important in the packaging of products with sharp edges, corners, or irregular shapes. In addition, a high tear strength film is appropriate for products that incur rough handling in shipment. Films with high tensile strength are generally more machinable, but low tensile materials tend to have superior puncture resistance and are more flexible in situations where product configurations vary. Similarly, stiff films operate well on high speed wrapping equipment, whereas softer films conform to a product’s shape more easily.

Polyolefin Shrink Film can be used in a multitude of methods, let us aid you with a solution today!

Visit our main page for other packaging solutions.