Shrink Wrap Machine Buyer's Guide

★ What Are the Different Types of Shrink Wrap Machines

★ What Shouldn’t Be Packaged in a Shrink Wrap Machine?

★ What Material Should Be Used in a Shrink Wrap Machine?

★ FAQ

Shrink wrap is a common material used across multiple industries, for packing and transport to retail shelf display and ecommerce storage – popular for its protective properties and affordable start up costs. The plastic film is applied to products before heat is applied using a heat sealer, which – as its name suggests – seals open ends of the film.

But not all packaging projects are the same. You may have products of different sizes, and some shrink wrap products may need heating and sealing, while others simply need only heating. So, how do you know which shrink wrap machine is right for you? Our experts explain all in this guide…

What Is a Shrink Wrap Machine?

A shrink wrap machine is a device used to wrap – and sometimes seal – shrink film around a given product. It typically consists of a heat sealer and option to apply heat to the film in the form of a heat gun or shrink tunnel. When heated, the plastic film undergoes thermal contraction, causing it to shrink tightly around the product being wrapped, creating a secure and protective seal. It also provides protection and tamper-evident packaging.

For example, imagine a new board game being wrapped by its manufacturer, to protect against dust and moisture on store shelves and provide a tamper-evident seal all while displaying the box cover and containing contents. The board game box is placed in a centerfolded shrink film and sealed. The centerfold shrink film is folded in half lengthways. Creating a ten-inch centerfold film, open to twenty inches.

The folded side crease only requires three sides to be sealed for a full enclosure to be made. The option for sealing the open sides will vary with different price points and machines. We detail those options further down. After the board game is fully enclosed within the film, the machine then applies a direct source of heat to the film, using a heat gun, heat tunnel, or chamber, causing the newly created bag to shrink around the box, providing a protective layer over the product.

How Does a Shrink Wrap Machine Work?

While not every type of shrink wrap machine works in the same way – or has the same components and tools – there are some key features that help them perform the process of heating and sealing plastic films.

The process of using a shrink wrap machine typically involves the following steps:

Product Placement: The item to be shrink-wrapped is placed within the shrink film. This can be a centerfold shrink film, bag, or layflat material.
Film Unwinding: A roll of shrink film is unwound, fed into the machine, and wrapped around the product. The film is typically made of materials such as polyolefin or polyethylene.
Sealing: The machine uses heat to seal the film around the product. This can be done using various mechanisms, such as an L-bar sealer, an impulse sealer, or a continuous heat sealer.
Cutting: If necessary, the machine may also have a cutting mechanism to trim excess film and create a neat, sealed edge.
Shrinkage: Once sealed, the product is moved into a heat tunnel or chamber. Heat is applied to the film, causing it to shrink tightly around the item through a process called thermal contraction.
Cooling: After the film has shrunk, it is cooled to make sure it maintains its tight and secure seal.

What Are the Different Types of Shrink Wrap Machines?

Now we’ve covered the common features found in shrink wrap machines, it’s time to look at the different models, and which purposes and packaging projects they’re best used for:

Automatic L Bar or side seal Machines

Its automatic feeding belt, combined with the remote sealing and cutting of the film around the product, makes it best suited for high-volume production and efficiency for retail products. This, combined with its ability to seal a wide range of product sizes, makes the automatic shrink wrapper a cost-efficient option for high-volume wrapping quotas. A key advantage of automatic shrink wrap machines is the speed and reduced labor costs, resulting in higher and more consistent production for anything from ecommerce sales to retail.

Automatic shrink machines with digital controls have preset designations for various products. With a few simple instructions, operators can easily adjust the machine between products. Automatic shrink-wrapping machines are made up of several important elements. The first is the infeed conveyor belt, used to transport items into the sealing area. The next is the sealer, where the shrink wrap is applied and sealed around the product. After sealing, the product is transported on the discharge conveyor. Finally, the product moves through the shrink tunnel on the tunnel conveyor belt and is heated. Upon exit from the tunnel, products cool on a conveyor, and can then be boxed or palletized.

Manual Shrink Wrapping Machines

Manual shrink wrap machines, also known as a handheld, shrink wrap machines or portable shrink wrap machines are portable devices used for shrink wrapping products or items. It typically consists of a wrapping material, dispenser, a sealing element, and a heat gun. In some cases, for bags and cheaper options, a dispenser is not included. To use a manual, shrink wrap machine, the operator manually pulls the shrink film around the item or product to be wrapped and seals the material. Heat shrink bags are popular with this option. The open ends are then sealed. Most sealers only have one sealing bar and the product will need rotated to seal all the open ends.

Heat is then applied to the film, with the use of a heat gun. This will be the longest part of the production and can take over a minute per product. It is also important to keep the heat gun moving to avoid burn holes and redoes. Handheld shrink wrap machines are convenient for low-volume packaging operations, such as in retail stores, warehouses, or small businesses. We recommend less than three hundred products daily if choosing a manual shrink wrap machine.

Shrink Bundling Machines

Semi-Auto Shrink Combo Machines

A semi-auto L-bar sealer machine is a packaging machine commonly used in the shrink-wrapping industry. It is designed to be an in-between option from manual shrink wrap machines to auto machines. The L-bar sealer consists of two perpendicular sealing bars that form an "L" shape. They are designed to be run with a centerfold shrink film. As the bar lowers all open ends of the material are sealed. The product being packaged is placed in the sealing area and the L-bar sealer is brought down to create a seal in the film around the product – creating a closed bag. At the same time as the seal, excess material is cut from around the product.

The options available on semi-auto shrink combo machines can vary substantially. Magnetic hold downs are an option that will free up the operator's hands while the seal is made. Discharge conveyors are an option to transport products into the shrink tunnel after the seal is made without the user touching them. Several other options are available on these units, making them as basic or elaborate as needs and budget allow.

In addition to the available options a shrink tunnel combo unit comes with can vary. The size, number or heat banks, controls, and type of conveyor belt can all factor into the cost and efficiency of the unit. Combo units are versatile and can be used to package a wide range of products, such as boxes, books, electronics, and other items that can fit within the sealing area.

They are commonly employed in retail, e-commerce, distribution centers, and manufacturing industries for efficient and secure product packaging. Depending on the options and tunnel size, most shrink combo machines can package more than 2,000 products daily.

Heat Shrink Guns

A heat shrink gun is a handheld tool used to manually apply heat to shrink wrap, causing it to shrink and form a tight seal around an object or product. The machine typically consists of a handle, a heating element, a nozzle, and a trigger. When the trigger is activated, the heating element generates a stream of hot air directed through the nozzle.

Heat shrink guns are versatile tools that can be used with various types of shrink wrap materials, including polyolefin, polyethylene, and PVC shrink films. As it is a manual shrink-wrapping machine, it is typically used for low-volume projects, in industries such as electronics and retail.

Shrink Chambers

A shrink chamber uses an L bar seal with a hood to seal and apply heat to the product. They are not as productive as semi-auto shrink machines, but perfect for smaller areas and packaging hundreds of products daily. These machines typically consist of a film rack, perforating wheels, a separating tray, an L bar sealer, and shrink chamber tray. Products are placed onto the separating tray and between the centerfold shrink film. They are then manually moved into the shrink chamber for sealing and shrinking.

Once the product is in the chamber. The lid is closed, and the heat sealer is engaged for the set amount of time. After the seal is complete, the lid remains closed, and a fan circulates warm air throughout the interior of the chamber for the set amount of time at the set temp. Upon completion, the lid opens. They are available in different sizes and configurations to accommodate various sealing widths and production. Models with a 110v power supply will take longer to reheat than models with a 220v power supply.

It is crucial to remember each time the lid opens, warm air escapes. Ready lights on the machine will indicate when ready to shrink again. Reheating can take up to one minute for every 2-3 products depending on the model.

What Shouldn’t Be Packaged in a Shrink Wrap Machine?

Shrink wrap machines can be used to package a wide range of products, protecting against dust and moisture and providing a transparent and tamper-evident seal. However, due to the unique processes involved in heat shrink wrapping, certain items or materials should not be packaged in a shrink wrap machine. These include:

Some Perishable or Temperature-Sensitive Items: Shrink wrapping can trap heat and affect the quality or safety of perishable or temperature-sensitive products, such as fresh produce or certain medications. However, this does not apply to all foods, and some consumables are commonly shrink-wrapped for freshness and protection, including pizzas. Lighter shrink material and low temperature shrink film are ideal for some items.
Heat-Sensitive or Delicate Items: Items that are highly sensitive to heat, such as candles, chocolates, or certain electronics, can be damaged or deformed by the heat used in shrink wrapping and, therefore, should not be wrapped directly unless a low temperature is required for shrinking. Thicker shrink wrap film can often be applied to boxes containing these items without damaging the products.
Flammable or Combustible Materials: Shrink wrapping involves heat, so flammable or combustible materials should not be packaged in a shrink wrap machine to avoid the risk of fire or damage. Contents under pressure are also not recommended as they can explode and damage the machine being used.

What Material Should Be Used in a Shrink Wrap Machine?

Due to the unique process involved in heat shrink wrapping, machines must be used with compatible materials designed to shrink tightly around products when heated – without piercing, breaking, or worse.

Below is a list of heat shrink film materials and their benefits:

Polyolefin: Offers excellent clarity, strength, and versatility. It is commonly used for a wide range of products – including pizza shrink film – and provides a glossy appearance.
Polyethylene: More durable than polyolefin. Provides good clarity and durability. Suitable for various products – for example, case packed bottles – and available in different thicknesses to accommodate heavier products.
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride): Offers excellent clarity and shrinkage properties and is commonly used for products such as boxed items or gift baskets. It does contain chloride and can produce an odor during heating. Food products should not come into direct contact with PVC shrink film.
Polypropylene (PP): Provides high clarity and gloss. It is commonly used for packaging food and other consumer goods.
Bio-based and Compostable Shrink Wrap: Environmentally friendly alternatives made from renewable sources. Increasingly used in sustainable packaging solutions.

Key Considerations Before Buying a Shrink Wrap Machine

Before purchasing a shrink wrap machine, several factors should be considered:

Packaging Requirements: Consider the size, shape, and volume of the items to be shrink-wrapped. For example, larger and heavier bundles of items may require a shrink bundling machine.
Machine Capacity: Evaluate the machine's speed, output, and compatibility with your production needs. Some types of machines may be best suited for low volumes of products – such as manual shrink wrapping machines – while higher volumes of products may require an automatic shrink wrapper. Spending less and overworking machines can cause issues in the long run.
Film Compatibility: Make sure the machine is suitable for the material, style, and thickness of shrink film you plan to use. If you’re packing heavier objects with sharper edges, a thicker material is necessary. Thicker shrink film often requires higher temperatures and longer heat exposure.
Machine Features: Consider additional features, like adjustable heat settings, sealing mechanisms, and control options. For example, magnets holding a sealer down during the seal will free up the operators hands to grab the next product to wrap.
Budget: Determine your budget and compare prices, considering the long-term cost of maintenance, film supplies, and energy consumption. For larger quantities of wrapped products, automatic machines can reduce labor costs and increase production.
Space and Setup: Evaluate the available space and electrical requirements to accommodate the machine. Larger machines naturally require more space, so with limited work area, smaller machines like hand shrink wrap machines and heat guns may be preferable (for low-volume projects).

Still unsure which shrink wrapping machine is right for you and your packaging needs? Chat with our packaging experts today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is shrink-wrapping easy?

A: Shrink-wrapping can be relatively easy with practice and the right equipment, but it may require attention to detail and some trial and error to achieve consistent and professional results. Some machines, such as automatic shrink wrappers, require less manual input than others.

Q: What can you use instead of shrink wrap?

A: Shrink wrap is a unique packaging solution that provides an air-tight protective layer, and therefore, cannot be exactly replicated by alternative packaging solutions. However, if you’re simply looking for alternative protective packaging options – that don’t necessarily need to perform an identical role to heat shrink wrap – there are some viable alternatives.

Alternative packaging options include stretch wrap, which provides flexibility and stability; paper-based packaging like boxes and cartons; vacuum packaging; and poly bags.

Q: How much does a shrink wrap machine cost?

A: Shrink wrap machines can vary in cost. Small manual machines can be less than two hundred dollars in cost, while automatic machines and conveyors can cost in excess of 70k.

Q: Can you rent a shrink wrap machine?

A: Some local companies may rent a machine, but it is not common. Instead, contract packaging is popular, paying a company to shrink wrap items for you.

Q: What is the difference between a shrink wrap machine and pallet wrapper?

A: Shrink wrap uses heat, while a pallet wrapper pulls on a stretch film to tightly and consistently wrap a pallet.

Q: How do you clean a shrink wrap machine?

A: With the machine turned off, wipe the sealing area down with a damp cloth to remove residue build up from the sealing area. Blow out and clean any debris from the shrink tunnel. Refer to your user manual for other cleaning tips.

Q: How to fix a shrink wrap machine?

A: Begin with the ensuring the proper electrical supply is being used with the machine. Next, properly check all fuses to be sure they are in working condition. Check the sealing area, if not enough heat is reaching the sealing area, the element used for sealing may need replaced.

Q: Does plastic wrap work on a shrink wrap machine?

A: No, home plastic wrap will not work on a shrink wrap machine.

Q: Who makes shrink wrap machines?

A: Shrink wrap machines are made by several companies around the world, sealed air is one of the more popular brands in the United States.