Shrink Wrap Rolls – How to Choose

Are you searching for shrink rolls and unsure which one you need? Hopefully, this quick and easy guide will help explain the roll you need. Before we get into different types of shrink wrap rolls, it is essential to distinguish the type of shrink wrap, and that is where we will begin.

What Type of Shrink Wrap Roll Do You Need?

• Shrink Wrap Rolls for Pallets – Also called stretch film or stretch wrap, the material stretches when applied to the pallet. Made from LLDPE with plasticizers for increased stretch.
• Pallet Shrink Bag Rolls—These Thinner heat shrink bags, made from polyethylene shrink film, protect pallets from exterior elements.
• Marine/Construction Shrink Wrap Rolls – Made from heavy duty polyethylene shrink film with UV additives to wrap and protect items in outdoor storage. Most rolls begin at a six mil thickness.
• Bundling Shrink Wrap Rolls – Used for case packaging bottles and cans, distinguishable by the open holes on each end of the package. Bundling shrink film is made from polyethylene rolls starting at a two mil thickness and comes off the roll flat, also known as single-wound
• Centerfold Shrink Wrap Rolls – The film is folded in the middle throughout the length of the roll. An I-bar or L-bar sealer is used to seal the open ends of the material once the product is placed inside. Used for retail, commercial, and some industrial packaging applications because of versatility. Centerfold shrink rolls are available in PVC and polyolefin materials.

What Size of Shrink Wrap Roll Do You Need?

All of the options listed above will have various sizes to choose from. These will differ in width, length, and thickness of the material. Sizing can be tricky depending on the type of shrink roll you are measuring for and the application and size of the product. Below are a few simple temps to help measure the right shrink roll size for each type.

• Shrink Wrap Rolls for Pallets Sizing Tips – Hand or machine shrink film? Standard hand rolls are eighteen inches wide and standard machine rolls are twenty inches wide. Thicknesses will vary depending on the pallet weight and contents. Higher gauges are thicker materials.
• Pallet Shrink Bag Roll Sizing Tips—All three dimensions (LxWxH) must be measured for proper pallet bag sizing. The pallet weight and content will determine the thickness. Four mils is a standard thickness.
• Marine/Construction Shrink Wrap Roll Sizing Tips – Large rolls starting at six feet wide up to twenty or more feet wide. Measure the length, width, and height of the product being covered. Determine how much of the bottom should be wrapped and begin measuring. The thickness will be determined by the sharp edges and corners on the product being covered.
• Bundling Shrink Wrap Roll Sizing Tips – Bundling rolls for shrink bundling come off the roll flat. Since they will wrap around the case of bottles or containers being packaged, the width and height of the case are essential. Two rolls of film may be required to operate the machine if using a shrink bundler.
• Centerfold Shrink Wrap Roll Sizing Tips—The rolls are folded in half lengthways and placed on the roll. Because the centerfold film will fully enclose the product, it is important to know the entire measurement around the product. Then, the excess will be needed to make a seal.

What Equipment is Needed for Each Shrink Wrap Roll?

• Shrink Wrap Rolls for Pallets, Equipment Needed – Hand shrink wrap rolls can be applied by hand with no additional equipment required. If wrapping several pallets daily with hand film, a stretch wrap dispenser is recommended. For machine wrap, a stretch wrap machine will fully optimize film usage and load ability.
• Pallet Shrink Bag Rolls, Equipment Needed – Pre-cut bags easily tear from the roll as needed. Users place the bag over the pallet and use a propane heat gun to shrink the thick bag. Propane heat guns vary with several manufacturers in the market.
• Marine/Construction Shrink Wrap Rolls, Equipment Needed – Like the pallet shrink bags made from a thicker material, marine shrink rolls require a larger propane shrink gun for proper shrink wrapping. In addition to the heat gun, special tapes, and ropes could be necessary depending on the item being wrapped.
• Bundling Shrink Wrap Rolls, Equipment Needed – For low volume applications, electric heat guns can slowly shrink bundling film around cases of bottles or cans. It may take time because bundling film is thicker and takes longer to shrink. For higher volume applications, an auto shrink bundler is ideal. The cases are loaded onto a conveyor belt, sealed, and shrunk down to hold items in place.
• Centerfold Shrink Wrap Rolls, Equipment Needed – Centerfold shrink film is used in small commercial facilities to large high capacity manufacturing plants. For lower production, companies often choose an I bar sealer to begin. As production increases, a shrink wrap combo system, or automatic sealer may reduce labor and overall cost.

Conclusion

Shrink wrap rolls are made from many different materials and add additives based on the application. In addition to finding the correct material, sizing is also important. Too small of a roll will make the wrap useless, and too large will require excess waste. Once the shrink wrap roll type and size are determined, make sure you have all of the equipment needed to use the roll properly. If you have any questions about shrink wrap rolls and recommendations, call 1-800-441-5090 and speak with a sales associate today.