What Shrink Film is Best for Your Product?

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 it&#;s 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.

Click here to get more.

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 doesn&#;t have chloride in it, and it produces much less odor during heating and sealing. It&#;s 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 items&#;for 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:

Polyethylene has a low shrink rate of around 20% and isn&#;t 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.

YH Package supply professional and honest service.

Shrink film is an essential component of product packaging, used across retail shops and warehouses. It enhances product visibility, optimizes space by enabling stacking, and ensures product safety. With numerous types of shrink wrap available, selecting the right one for your packaging needs can be challenging.

In this blog, we will explore the types and applications of shrink wrap to help you choose the best option for your packaging line.

What is Heat Shrink Film?

Heat shrink film is a plastic material that tightly packs objects by shrinking around them when heat is applied. It secures products and protects them from dust, dirt, and moisture.

What is Shrink Wrap Made Of?

A common question is, &#;What is shrink wrap made of?&#; It typically consists of one of these three plastics:

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Polyethylene (PE)
  • Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
  • Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
• Polyolefin (POF)

The table below summarizes the characteristics of each shrink film type:

Parameters Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Polyethylene (PE) Polyolefin (POF) Shrink Temperature (°C) 120-160 100-150 150-200 Shrinkage Rate (%) 50-60 30-50 20-30 Thickness Range (microns) 12-25 15-30 20-200 Tensile Strength (MPa) 25-30 40-50 15-20 Transparency (Clarity %) 90-95 80-85 60-70 Elongation at Break (%) 100-120 70-100 300-400 Moisture Resistance High Moderate Very high Puncture Resistance High Low Very high Cost (Relative) Medium Low Medium to high

Key Features

• Heat shrink film conforms to the product&#;s shape when exposed to heat.
• It is printable and available in various colours.
• Shrink film comes in different sizes and can be used with heat tunnels or heat guns.
• Versatile in application, it is suitable for items ranging from small cosmetics to bulk electronics.

What is Shrink Wrap Used For?

• Protects consumer goods while maintaining visibility.
• Shields items from dust, moisture, and scratches during transport, storage, or retailing.
• Bundles bulk items, such as bottles, for easier handling.
• Helps manage storage space by stacking products efficiently.
• Acts as a tamper-evident seal for added security.

How to Choose the Right Shrink Film?

Each shrink film type serves specific industries based on its features. Here&#;s a quick guide:

Type Key Features Best Applications Polyolefin shrink film

• Safe to use for food packaging
• Odorless
• Puncture-resistant and flexible
• Shrinks uniformly on the object
• Clear and attractive to use

• Food packaging
• Consumer goods

PVC shrink film

• High clarity
• Brittle when conforming in cold environments
• Budget-friendly

• For retail goods packaging like cosmetics etc
• For non-food items like books, toys etc

Polyethylene shrink film

(PE)

• Thick and durable
• Resistant to heavy loads
• Waterproof
• Less clear

• For heavy-duty applications like industrial use, heavy machines, and pallet wrapping
• For bundling bottled beverages

Is Shrink Wrap the Same as Plastic Wrap?

Although both are made from plastic, shrink wrap and plastic wrap serve different purposes:

1. Material Composition

Shrink wrap is made from POF, PVC, or PE, while plastic wrap (cling wrap) is typically PVC or PE.

2. Applications

Shrink wrap secures items for packaging; plastic wrap is mainly used for food storage.

3. Heat Application

Shrink wrap requires heat to conform, whereas plastic wrap does not.

4. Functionality

Shrink wrap bundles and protects items, while plastic wrap seals containers and preserves food freshness.

FAQs

What is the Role of Shrink Wrap in Logistics?

Shrink wrap protects products from scratches, dirt, and moisture during transport. It also facilitates bulk handling and stacking, such as bundling beverage bottles.

Is Shrink Wrap Waterproof?

Yes, shrink film is waterproof, offering protection against spills and rain. However, long-term exposure to water may compromise its integrity.

What is the Difference Between Shrink Wrap and Shrink Film?

There is no difference. Both terms refer to the same product and can be used interchangeably.

What Can I Use Instead of Shrink Film?

No single product matches shrink wrap&#;s versatility. It protects, and enhances visibility, supports brand promotion, optimizes space, and simplifies handling.

What is the Formula for Shrink Film?

Shrink film is made of polymers that shrink upon heating. Common materials include PVC, PE, and POF.

Want more information on printed shrink film? Feel free to contact us.

What is the Chemical Composition of Shrink Film?

• PVC: (C2H3Cl)n
• PE: (C2H4)n
• POF: Typically a copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene.