Shrink Wrapping

What is Shrink Wrap?

The term “shrink wrap” refers to using a material like polymer plastic film to protect a product. The material is applied to heat so it shrinks tightly around the product. Heat is often applied with an electronic or gas hand held heat gun or the product and plastic film can pass through a heat tunnel on a conveyor line belt. The most commonly used shrink wrap is polyolefin that comes in a variety of thicknesses, clarities, strengths and shrink ratios. Two primary films can be crosslinked or non crosslinked.

A shrink film can be made to shrink in one direction or opposite directions. Films are stretched when they are heated to adapt the molecules from an initial random pattern. The film is cooled to set the film’s characteristics until reheated which causes it to shrink back toward the initial dimensions.

What is a Shrink Wrap Licensing Agreement?

Is a process used in packaging to not only protect the contents but also to describe a type of purchase or license agreement associated with shipped goods. A shrink wrap license usually means that the agreement is bound with the product by plastic wrap and will specify rights of use, fees, warranties and limitations of liability and End User License Agreement (EULA) printed on paper inside the product box or packaging. When the consumer purchases the product, removes the shrink wrap and opens the product, they are bound to the shrink wrap agreement that specifies that this action constitutes acceptance of the terms and EULA.

What Form Does Shrink Wrap Come In?

Shrink wrap can be supplied in several forms including flat rollstock where the material is wrapped around the product. Centerfolded film is supplied on a roll with the plastic folded in half so the product may be placed in the middle while the remaining edges are sealed to form a bag. The package is then heated which causes the bag to shrink to conform to the product that is placed in the bag. Pre-formed shrink bags are used with one end open so the product can be placed in the bag, sealed and sent for heat shrinking.

Shrink Wrap Applications

Shrink wrap has multiple applications but is used mostly in packaging and shipping. It is commonly used as overwrap on cartons, boxes, beverage cans and pallet loads. A variety of products use shrink wrap to stabilize products, unitize them, keep them clean and tamper resistant. https://riverplateinc.com/services/shrink-wrapping https://riverplateinc.com/services/shrink-wrapping https://riverplateinc.com/services/shrink-wrappingShrink bands are used over parts of packages for tamper resistance or labels and can be used to bind together two packages or parts. The following are shrink wrap applications that are becoming more popular:

• Industrial shrink wrap containment of large plant equipment and components
• Scaffold wrap containment of buildings and bridges
• Building temporary shrink wrap structures for storage and other business operation usages
• Marine shrink wrapping of boats and other vehicles
• Shrink wrapping of palletized freight
• Disaster contingency and relief projects such as damaged buildings and roofs

Shrink wrap packaging and shrink banding are both widely used and a cost effective method of packaging products and containers. Some fulfillment companies offer a range of services to meet packaging needs ranging from use of handheld shrink wrapping to variety of sophisticated machinery to handle volume orders in a quick and efficient manner. A an expert can match the most appropriate and cost effective technique to meet each client’s needs.