Shrink Wrapping for Packaging

Shrink wrapping refers to the process of using shrink wrap film, a material made of polymer plastic film, to shrink tightly over products and bind them together for easier, more cost-effective packaging, shipping, handling and display. Many different industries use shrink wrap packaging machines and methods to package their products, from retail to food processing, and different types of machines can be used depending on application, purpose and budget. Below, learn about the different industrial and business applications for which shrink wrap is commonly used, as well as the styles and types of shrink wrapping machines, and the benefits of using shrink wrap for packaging needs.

Shrink Wrap Applications

Shrink wrap is a versatile packaging solution that can be useful in any industry for nearly any product. Shrink wrapping is used to package food items, such as frozen pizza and ice cream, and is often used to multipack a number of products into one package for sale. Shrink wrapped food items can enhance the product’s visual appeal and prolong shelf life. Shrink wrap is also used for pharmaceuticals and helps determine if products have been tampered with before purchase, keeping consumer safe. Toys, games and sporting goods are shrink wrapped for display purposes and visual appeal, while shrink film protects items such as stationary, cards and gift wrap from damage during shipping and handling.

Shrink Wrapping Machines

The proper shrink wrap system should fit your needs and budget in order to provide high-quality, cost-effective and efficient results. Small shrink wrap machines are often less expensive than bigger systems, and can also be portable for ease of use. Smaller machines are usually ideal for smaller products, such as CDs, DVDs and software packaging. A larger, more complex shrink wrap machine can be used for letters, boxes and industrial equipment. When choosing a shrink wrap machine, it is important to determine your business’ packaging needs and budget, as there are many different machines with a variety of functions and purposes. Manual shrink wrappers are better for minimal packaging needs, while semi-automatic or fully automatic shrink wrap systems may be necessary for high-volume packaging needs.

Benefits of Shrink Wrap

Most businesses in any industry can benefit from shrink wrapping their products, due to the versatility, strength and low cost of shrink wrap. By using shrink wrap, products can be bound together in a single unit, helping businesses lower costs associated with space, time, materials, shipping and handling. Shrink wrapped products remain protected from moisture, making the packaging solution ideal for food items that can spoil when exposed to moist conditions. With many different colors and types of shrink wrap, it also provides visual appeal to many products, packaging merchandise to enhance the image and help sell the item. Shrink wrap is a recyclable packaging solution that is strong enough for large, high-volume packaging needs. Link back to the top of this Shrink Wrapping page.