Tag Archives: Shrink Tunnel

Highlighting our Polyolefin Shrink Film

Polyolefin shrink film has become the preferred choice over PVC shrink film, thanks to its outstanding clarity and odorless composition. It is the top material for shrink wrapping due to its suitability for tamper-proof, clear packaging and safe direct contact with food, adhering to FDA and USDA regulations. We offer two types of shrink film: 201 and IR. For most shrink wrapping needs, the 201 film is an excellent choice, compatible with both manual and semi-automatic shrink wrapping equipment.

Remember that polyolefin shrink film is just one of the three components needed for effective shrink wrapping. Don’t forget to include a sealer to enclose your product and a heat source to activate the shrink process. Reach out to your authorized Sealer Sales distributor for the best options tailored to your shrink wrapping applications.

Why Shrink Wrap?
Shrink wrapping ensures product stability, cleanliness, and tamper-proofing, all of which contribute to the safety of consumption. It’s also used to overwrap products like cartons and cans for bulk sale.

What is Shrink Wrapping?
Shrink wrapping is a cost-effective packaging technology widely adopted across various industries, including food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. It involves loosely wrapping a polymeric shrink film around the product and subjecting it to heat using a shrink tunnel, creating a snug fit. Shrink tunnels are heat chambers placed over a conveyor.

How Do You Shrink Wrap?
Shrink wrapping requires three basic tools:

  1. Film (PVC or POF) to wrap your product
  2. Sealer to seal the film, such as an I-Bar or L-Bar Sealer
  3. Tunnel or Heat Gun to shrink the film around your product

Selecting the Right Shrink Film:

What Type of Shrink Film Do I Need?
We stock two primary types of shrink film: the 201 and IR. In most cases, the 201 film is the ideal choice for your shrink wrapping needs, especially if you’re using manual or semi-automatic equipment.

What Size Do I Need?
Our centerfold (CF) shrink film is folded in half lengthwise. To determine the required film width:

  • Add the width and height of your product and add 5-10% for safety.
  • For shrink film (typically sold as centerfold film), choose the smaller of the two measurements.
  • If your desired size isn’t available, you can use a larger size, as shrink films can shrink by up to 40% in all directions. We offer shrink film widths ranging from 8” to 24”, ensuring you’ll find the right fit.

What Thickness Do I Need?
The gauge represents film thickness, and we offer shrink film in various gauges: 45, 50, 60, 75, and 100. Our 75G shrink film is the most popular and suitable for most applications, while thicker gauges are ideal for heavier products.

For further details and tips on shrink wrapping, check out our blog post here: Shrink Wrapping 101

You can also watch a video demo of basic shrink wrapping in action on our YouTube channel: Watch Video

Primer on Shrink Wrapping

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Our latest blog post is a quick primer on shrink wrapping and the full line of equipment Sealer Sales offers for shrink wrapping.

Shrink wrapping is an ideal solution for many types of products in a whole host of industries.  Shrink wrapping provides your package with a crystal clear tamper proof package while protecting your product from moisture and dust.

Shrink wrapping a product

  • Provides a protective barrier from dust, moisture, fingerprints, etc
  • Provides products with a professional and factory fresh appearance
  • Bundles products together if selling multiple items as a set

What is Shrink Wrapping?
Shrink wrap is a plastic film that you can wrap around any object.  Heat is then applied to the surface (via heat gun or shrink tunnel), which causes the plastic to shrink. As it shrinks, it conforms to the shape of your object and seals itself.

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How to Choose a Shrink Wrapping Machine?

Sealer Sales carries a full line of shrink wrapping systems (L-Bar sealers and shrink tunnels) to help you with your shrink wrapping needs.  When it comes to choosing the right machine, there’s a few easy questions to answer to help us identify which machine will work best for your application.

  • What are you packaging? Will this be a retail or industrial application?
  • What are the dimensions of your package – length x width x height?
  • What is the weight of your package?
  • What is the speed you need? Think of how many packages you will need to run.
  • What type of shrink film will be used?
  • What is the gauge of the shrink film?

Download our shrink wrapping machine survey which has a complete list of questions you will want to answer.  Answering these questions will help us identify the appropriate shrink wrapping system and film for you.

How to determine the right film size?

  • Measure the width and height of your product and add 5-10% to the measurement.  This provides you with your minimum shrink bag width.
  • Measure the length and height of your product and add 5-10% to the measurement. This provides you with your minimum shrink bag length.
  • For shrink film (usually sold as centerfold film), take the smallest figure of the two to determine the shrink film size needed.
  • If the size you needs is not available, a larger size can be used because shrink films will shrink up to 40% in all directions

Having these measurements will also now help you what size shrink wrapping machine will work for your product.

We carry a wide variety of machines from the starter units to more automatic systems.   See our comparison guide below of our most popular machines.

Sealer Sales L-Bar Sealer Comparison

Table-Top L-Bar Shrink Wrapping
An L-Bar sealer are designed with two sealing sides which allow you to seal and cut centerfold shrink film in one step.  Our table top L-Bar sealers (YC-series and W-series) are both easy to use.  The L-bar sealers are ideal for small production sizes such as start up businesses. Once you seal your package closed using an sealer, you will need either a heat gun or shrink tunnel in order to complete the shrink wrapping process.

Combo Shrink Wrapping Units
Our combo shrink wrapping units allow you to seal and shrink with one machine.  This is ideal for smaller foot print locations which cannot accommodate larger units.  Our combo units will tend to be a little slower than our other free-standing L-bar sealers.  Please note most of our larger machines will require 220V.  Our SS-48ST unit is a combo unit that is offered in 110V voltage for smaller facilities that do not have 220V available.  Please note that we always prefer 220V for shrink tunnels as this will allow the machine to be more productive and efficient.

Free-Standing Semi-Automatic L-Bar Machines
Our free-standing L-Bar Combo machines will be the most efficient and quickest way to shrink wrap.  We recommend these machines for heavier duty applications.  Our free standing machines are equipped with a dual magnet hold down which removes operator error when correct seal and cool times are selected.  A power discharge conveyor will push the product into the shrink tunnel once sealing process is completed.

Introducing our All-in-One L-Bar Shrink Tunnel Combo

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We are introducing a brand new All-In-One L-Bar sealer with shrink tunnel combo, our LST-1616.

This unique All-In-One L-Bar Sealer and Shrink Chamber is compact and quite the space saver.

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The LST-1616 is designed for easy and quick shrink wrap packaging. Users can produce products that have a factory fresh clean look and feel. The sealer/tunnel combo creates packages that are free from dust, moisture and fingerprints.

The L-bar measures 15.7″ x 15.7″.

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The shrink tunnel is located underneath the L-bar sealer ensuring a small footprint.  The machine dimensions measure 44″L x 28″W x 44″H.

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Why is using an L-bar sealer important for shrink wrapping?

Sealers designed for shrink wrapping will create a seamless seal (i.e. excess material above the seal is cut off).   Once a heat source is applied, and the material shrinks around your product, this will ensure a clean look.

See below and example of what NOT to do….here is a product that used the incorrect sealer to shrink wrap.

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When you shrink wrap, the package should not have any seams visible.  See below:

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If you are planning on shrink wrapping your packages and not sure which sealer works , please contact us or one of our distributors for assistance.

For the month of June, we will be offering 10% off our LST-1616. Use code: PRODUCTOFTHEMONTH

New Product Introductions

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We are excited to introduce a couple of products in both our equipment and flexible packaging product line.

Our popular CN-4520A shrink tunnel is now available with a PTFE meshed belt.  This is an excellent option for operators trying to shrink small items which may fall in between the rods of the conveyor.  Check out our video demo.

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Our SM-101 semi-automatic strapping machine is a general purpose strapping machine that can strap packages quickly and efficiently.  Strapping cycle will automatically start when operator inserts strap.  The machine will automatically shut down after a preset time to save electricity.  We recommend this machine for strapping cartons in a light industry setting.  Check out video demo.

SM-101 Front (1)

On the flexible packaging side, we are pleased to introduce our slider bags using the advanced Slide-Rite closure system.  We carry both clear slider zipper bags and cushion slider zipper pouches.  Lead times are 7-10 business days.

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Contact your local distributor for further information!

 

Shrink Wrapping with a Shrink Tunnel

Adding to our Shrink Wrapping 101 post last month, we wanted to demonstrate how a shrink tunnel machine works.  It’s super easy and maintenance free and sooooooooo much faster than using a heat gun!

We have two dial settings:  one for the upper and one for the lower heaters.  Adjust the temperature and speed conveyor to your preference.   Note:  the faster the conveyor, the higher the heat.  Play around with the settings…this may take some trial and error.  Once your settings are set, place your item with shrink wrap packaging on the conveyor and voila!

Check our our video below

Shrink Wrapping 101

Why Shrink Wrap?
Shrink wrapping is an excellent and easy way to package a product without the need to purchase a lot of expensive equipment.   Shrink wrapping provides:

  • Crystal clear sealed packaging
  • Protection from dust and moisture
  • Tamper proof packages

What Do I Need to Shrink Wrap?
All you need to shrink wrap is 

  • Shrink material which comes either as rolls of film or shrink bags
  • Hand impulse sealer (w/round wire), and
  • Heat gun

How Do I Shrink Wrap?

  • Insert your product between the fold of film or into a shrink bag
  • Using your sealer, cut off excess film and seal the ends of your film closed
  • Shrink the film on all sides using a heat gun

How Do I Determine the Right Film?

  • Measure the width and height of your product and add 5-10% to the measurement.  This provides you with your minimum shrink bag width.
  • Measure the length and height of your product and add 5-10% to the measurement. This provides you with your minimum shrink bag length.
  • For shrink film (usually sold as centerfold film), take the smallest figure of the two to determine the shrink film size needed.
  • If the size you needs is not available, a larger size can be used because shrink films will shrink up to 40% in all directions

Need to Shrink Wrap Faster?
If you are looking to shrink fast your product even faster, we have L-bar sealers which cut and seals two sides of the film in one motion.


YC-300HL  – 12″ x 18″
YC-450HL – 18″ x 18″
YC-600HL – 24″ x 32″

We also carry self-contained L-Bar Sealers

W-350L – 14″ x 20″
W-500L – 20″ x 26″

For faster shrinking, we carry a shrink tunnel, CN-4520

   

If you are unsure what you need, please give one of our distributors a call and they can help determine the correct equipment for your needs.