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Shrink-Film.co.uk is a specialist website from Polybags.co.uk - the UK's number one polythene packaging manufacturer - dedicated to shrink film, shrink bags and shrink wrap.

Polybags produces and stocks a fantastic range of shrink wrap products, including shrink wrap, shrink pallet covers, shrink kits, heat sealers and shrink guns. To support this, we bring you a wealth of information on shrink wrap products - see our homepage or the 'Shrink wrap systems' section below for more information.

What the web says about shrink wrap kits

Industrial shrink film performs optimal when the grade, gauge and shrink ratio match the load rather than the list of products description. A film that is also thin can split at corners or neck down badly on the tunnel, while a film that is also heavy may waste material and slow the line without giving better pallet stability. Sales figures and margin data matter because they normally reflect how well a supplier has balanced film performance, output speed and waste at the converter. A practical specification should keep safe the load, dash cleanly through the equipment and avoid unnecessary handling damage later on.

SHRINK WRAP BALER

Shrink wrap must match the bale size and the method the pack is handled, or the load soon beginnings causing trouble. If the film is also loose, the corners slip and the bale can shift in transit; if it is also tight, the wrap can split or distort the shape when the baler compresses the material. Operatours also need enough grip and seal quality to retain mixed waste together without leaving gaps that let moisture in. That matters in storage, because damp bales are heavier, less tidy to stack, and harder to transport securely. A sensible specification retains the load stable and the dispatch area easier to manage.

Shrink film used for food has to do above grasp a pack together, because its gauge, stretch and seal behaviour affect both line speed and shelf appearance. A film that is also thin can split at the corners or neck down unevenly, while one that is also heavy may waste material and slow down packing equipment. In food work, clarity also matters because clients want to see the product without distortion, and that means the film must shrink evenly around trays or multipacks. Good handling in warehouse and dispatch matters also, since rolls that are damaged or stored badly can lose performance. The proper film specification cuts waste and retains packs looking tidy through transport and display.

Shrink wrap suppliers are judged less by a glossy brochure and more by how well the film behaves on a busy packing line. The proper supplier has to match gauge, stretch, puncture resistance and slip so the wrap tightens properly without tearing or leaving loose tails that snag in transit. Poorly chosen film can waste time at the machine, increase rework, and leave pallets looking untidy before they have even left the warehouse. Good supply also means proper roll widths, consistent seals and sensible lead times, because a packing line stops being efficient the moment a roll is gross for the job.

Reliable shrink film suppliers are judged by above the label on the reel. A superb supply chain has to transport film that shrinks evenly, seals cleanly and stays consistent from pallet to pallet, because a small change in gauge or film tension can mean wrinkles, loose packs or split corners on the line. PVC still has a place where clarity and tight presentation matter, nevertheless the buying decision should also think machine settings, warehousing conditions and how the film will behave on mixed loads. If the film does not dash well in production, the trouble shows up later as handling damage and wasted time.

Global Pallet Covers Market 2018 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023

Pallet covers keep safe products on a pallet from dust, rain, and light handling damage before the load reaches the client or storage bay. Their proper value relies on selecting the proper material and size for the method a pallet transports through the supply chain. A loose cover can flap, trap water, or slide off amid transit, while one that is also tight slows packing and may snag on sharp corners. Clear specification matters because the same cover has to work in warehousing, despatch, and transport without creating additional rework. A sensible cover selection cuts pollution risk and makes the pallet easier to transport cleanly through the next stage.

Printed PVC Shrink Bags

Shrink bags are a superb fit when a product has an awkward shape or requirements a tidy shopping stop without wrestling with a rigid carton. Because the bag is sealed at one stop and then shrunk to the item, it settles closely around bottles, tubs, kits, or promotional packs without leaving loose corners that can scuff in transit. Printed faces also transport branding directly on the pack, which assists a shelf display see tidier and more deliberate. For packing lines, the proper advantage is speed: insertion is straightforward and the heat stage is normally quicker than building a board pack by hand. That combination of fit, appearance, and handling efficiency makes shrink bags a sensible selection for plenty mixed or strange items.

Boat shrink wrap kits give a proper method to keep safe a hull through storage, transport, or winter lay-up without relying on improvised sheeting that shifts in the wind. The proper value lies in the method the film behaves below heat: when the gauge is proper and the tension is even, the cover tightens around the shape rather than flapping and rubbing against fittings. A superb kit also assists reduce handling damage because the wrap stays in position once fitted, which matters when a covered boat is moved around a yard or left outdoors for weeks. A proper fit saves time later and retains the stop in better condition.

Shrink pallet covers give a load a firmer outer skin than loose wrapping, which assists when pallets are moved through a busy warehouse or loaded for transport. Polyethylene grades are often chosen because they cope well with handling and can be provided in the proper gauge for the job, from light dust protection through to heavier duty containment. The cover has to shrink evenly so corners are held down and the pallet does not work loose after a few forks or trailer vibrations. Film selection, heat control, and pallet shape all affect the result. A cover that fits properly saves time at dispatch and reduces the risk of handling damage later.

Heat Shrink Wrap Film Sale

Shrink wrap film has to do above simply cover a load; it must grasp shape, resist tears, and give a tidy stop when products are moved or stored. A marine-grade roll in white is often chosen because the colour reflects heat better than darker film, which assists reduce the build-up that can distort enclosed items in sunlight. The film also requirements proper gauge and proper seal quality, otherwise weak spots can open when wind or handling puts pressure on the wrap. In practice, the proper film saves time on rework and retains the load looking controlled from the first lift to last dispatch.

Polybags' main product categories

But shrink wrap is just part of the offering from Polybags, who produce a massive range of polythene products, including polythene rolls and bags available off-the-shelf in their millions, whilst you can custom-design much of our range and print it with your very own logo. Here are just a few of the main product categories that Polybags has to offer:

Shrink wrap systems

Want to learn about the different types of shrink wrap systems? Well you've come to the right place. Here are the most popular kinds of shrink wrap systems available today.

Straight bar sealers - A straight bar cuts and seals the film manually. For low volume applications.

L-bar sealers - An L-shaped bar used to cut and seal shrink film. Averages between 0-40 packages per minute, depending on automation level (e.g. manual, semi-automatic, automatic, automatic continuous). Also known as: impulse sealer, sealing system, sealing equipment, L-sealer, L bar sealer.

Sleeve wrappers - Designed to wrap trayed or loose collated items. Mainly used in shipping applications. These shrink wrap systems often replaces corrugated boxes and other types of packaging that are costly and need more space to use, store & dispose of. Also known as: shrink bundler, shrink wrapper, heat wrapper, sleeve shrink equipment, sleeving system.

Form fill seal shrink wrap equipment - The ultimate shrink wrapper, designed for high speed shrink packaging applications, averages between 30 -100 packages per minute on a continual basis. Most applications use polyolefin shrink film / industrial shrink wrap film.

Heat shrink wrap systems

Shrink tunnels - The final step in shrink wrapping. Package is passed through the shrink tunnel. Once inside the zone of the tunnel, it is subjected to increased levels of heat and turbulent air flow. A quality tunnel is capable of producing the required amounts of heat and air flow to cause the film to shrink around the introduced package. Also known as: heat tunnel, shrink film tunnel, shrink wrap tunnel and shrink heat tunnel.

Heat guns - Hand held tools that blow hot air to manually shrink film. Low volume output.

Shrink film sealing systems

Until recently, most sealing systems used a hot wire in order to seal and cut-off the film at the same time; now, a knife system has gained in popularity on many models due to its durability.

The wire or knife seals the film against a pad, covered with Teflon tape to protect the pad. Time, temperature and pressure are the three most critical elements affecting the seal quality. If the sealing head is not held on the film long enough, the temperature is too low, or the pressure is insufficient or uneven, the seal quality will be poor and/or won't cut.

However, if the sealing temperature is too high, the film may break just behind the seal. Following the impulse-sealing cycle, a cooling cycle allows the film to solidify into a solid seal. This dwell-time is critical in order for a seal to hold.

PVC films require only heat in order to cut seal and cut. When run on a sealing system as previously described, buildup of carbon char (black specks and flakes) will occur. This needs to be cleaned from the sealing head on a regular basis, otherwise the carbon will interfere with the sealing process and will look unsightly on the sealed ends of the package.

Since only heat is needed to form a PVC seal, some machines use a hollowed out bottom plate instead of the foam pad; direct contact with the seal wire is eliminated. Other systems employ a much thinner nichrome wire (.020" diameter vs. a standard .036" to .040" for polyolefins) against a hard bottom sealing pad. This system is insufficient to create strong polyolefin seals.

One other sealing system designed for PVCs is called a universal sealing system. Despite the name, the hot knife is typically too sharp to form a quality polyolefin seal. A rounded knife is better suited.

Shrink film shrinking systems

In order for proper shrinking to take place, polyolefin films need an air evacuation hole or multiple perforations. A bag formed with PVC film does not need 'artificially created' air escape holes. Because of the make-up of PVC, the seal typically is full of small pinholes; this is where the air escapes during the shrinking process. While this may seem advantageous (a step can be eliminated), the small holes actually weaken the seal area. These holes are often located near or in the package corners.

In order for proper shrinkage to occur, polyolefin film must be exposed to the correct temperature for the correct amount of time (which is controlled by conveyor speed), and also be surrounded by the correct air velocity, or wind turbulence. The air allows the film to stand away from the product, and a 'bubble' is formed around it. A good, even shrink should result when this occurs.

PVC films shrink readily when exposed to heat, and therefore air velocity is not critical. In the marketplace there are low-end tunnels which have no settings to control air velocity (similar to an oven) and you may find it difficult to achieve a good shrink.