Types of shrink wrapping film – overview by characteristics, manufacturers and prices

The content of the article

• What is shrink film
• Properties and Application
• Types of shrink film
• PVC Shrink Film
• Shrink film LDPE
• POF shrink film
• Sleeve
• Half-sleeve
• Single layer
• Layered
• For remote control
• For bottles
• How to choose a shrink film

Today, there are a large number of packaging materials. One of the most common among them is shrink film (polyethylene thermofilm) – special equipment is used for its use. It is made from a thin layer of polymeric material. Goods located inside a tightly packed container will retain their original qualities longer, because a kind of vacuum is created inside it.

What is shrink film

Shrink wrap packaging has become increasingly common in recent years. It is an elastic and transparent polyethylene material, which, under the influence of high temperature, begins to contract and thereby tightly fits the products packed into it, for example, food products. Due to this special property, such a film has a wide range of applications. You can use it to fit any product, regardless of its physical properties and dimensions.

Properties and Application

Shrink wrap for packaging is cheaper than using a classic cardboard box. It reliably protects products from external factors. Due to the fact that under the influence of temperature, polyethylene begins to shrink, in the end it takes the form of a packaged product. The advantage of using such a material for bulk packaging lies in its optical property. Due to the high strength and resistance of the polymer to aging, products remain unchanged for a long time. Application:

• Packing several small products in one group for reliable fixation of the location of each of them to facilitate their transportation. For example, it can be eggs, juice bags, postcards, etc..
• Preparation of goods with bright colorful colors or products that carry printed information, have a complex shape or just need packaging. This includes wallpapers, books, magazines, toys, candy boxes, bakery products, etc. At the same time, the product receives a “second skin”, which protects it reliably and gives it additional shine and attractiveness.

Types of shrink film

On sale you can find several varieties of packaging material of this type. It is available in the form of linen, half-sleeves and sleeves. The mechanical strength of the polymer depends on the strength indicators, which vary depending on the type of packaging. The range of thicknesses ranges from 10-200 microns. There are thermofilms with a slight shrinkage, used for soft knitwear and fabrics. There are options with modifications that are complemented by several components that enhance the physical and technical properties of the material. Types of film:

• PVC
• LDPE;
• Pof.

PVC Shrink Film

PVC packaging is characterized by excellent gloss, transparency and a good degree of shrinkage (twice or more). In addition, it has a wide range of temperature conditions, so the packaged goods are stored for as long as possible. The material of manufacture is polyvinyl chloride, which, as a result of heating, tightly fits the object until it cools down and fixes the accepted shape. Additional advantages are low welding temperature and shrinkage. PVC film is even used for printing shrink labels. One of the options:

• model name: food from PACK24;
• price: 1380 rubles;
• characteristics: half-sleeve, width – 200 mm, winding – 650 mm, thickness – 15 microns;
• pluses: transparency, good durability;
• cons: higher cost compared to peers.

To compare and purchase the best option, pay attention to the products of another company:

• model name: Velar;
• price: 1200 r.;
• characteristics: half-sleeve, width – 200 mm, winding – 650 mm, thickness – 15 microns, usable area – 260 m2, heating temperature – 80-130 ° C;
• pluses: transparency, good durability;
• cons: no.

Shrink film LDPE

Among polypropylene films, packaging made of high-pressure polyethylene, i.e. LDPE. To order such products in Moscow, St. Petersburg or another city in the country, you can in a specialized online store with mail delivery. Let her out in the form of sleeves, half-sleeves, linen. The main advantages of LDPE films are low density, high elasticity, water resistance, and resistance to chemical attack. A good acquisition would be:

• model name: OptFilm;
• price: 3248 p.;
• characteristics: roll, dimensions 420mm x 100mkr x 550 mp;
• pluses: excellent elasticity, low density;
• cons: no.

The material is rapidly compressed in both transverse and longitudinal sections. A good purchase for you could be:

• Model Name: Diana Plastic:
• price: from 110 p. per kg;
• characteristics: roll / half-sleeve / canvas, thickness – 30-200 microns, width – 50-160 mm;
• pluses: high strength, ductility;
• cons: no.

POF shrink film

Having decided to buy a thermoshrinkable film, do not be mistaken with the choice of density. Such a package is obtained by stretching the polymeric material in an elastic and heated state with further cooling. They use it not only for packaging food products, but also for building materials, polymer, and glass containers, etc. Due to its ability to contract, it takes up a minimum of space. Polyolefin films have gained some popularity, the uniqueness of which lies in their internal structure, due to which they withstand significant burdens even with small sizes:

• model name: Europack Suite:
• price: 1015.2 p.;
• characteristics: half-sleeve, width – 250 mm, length – 800 m, thickness – 12.5 microns;
• pluses: reasonable cost, long length;
• cons: small thickness.

If you are interested in a thicker POF film with the ability to contract during heating, then check out the following option:

• model name: Europack Suite:
• price: 1300 r.;
• characteristics: semi-sleeve, width – 350 mm, length – 534 m, thickness – 19 microns;
• pluses: reasonable cost, large width, thickness;
• cons: no.

Sleeve

One form of thermal film that protects goods and makes them more attractive is the sleeve. Despite the fact that such a package does not look very reliable in appearance, it can be used not only for small items, but also for more bulky designs. Thin shrink material is suitable for souvenirs, flour products, carcasses of birds, etc., and thicker ones (50-100 microns) are excellent for stacking goods. One of the product options in the sleeve with a thickness of 50 microns:

• model name: MY-PACK:
• price: 6210 p.;
• characteristics: width – 50 cm, thickness – 50 microns, material – LDPE, weight – 27 kg, during heat treatment is reduced by 47%;
• pluses: excellent durability, 1 grade of polyethylene;
• cons: high cost.

Another no less durable option from the same company, but with a smaller width, which will facilitate the procedure for packaging products:

• model name: MY-PACK:
• price: 4600 r.;
• characteristics: width – 15 cm, thickness – 50 microns, material – LDPE, weight – 20 kg;
• pluses: good durability;
• cons: high cost.

Half-sleeve

This type of thermal film is considered the most universal. A half-sleeve is a sleeve that is cut on one side in a fold. This is necessary so that when unwinding the roller, it is possible to easily deploy the material and use it as a cover sheet. In addition to packaging machines, there is special equipment for shrink material, thanks to which you can print like labels. The packaging process is carried out in automatic mode – both machine tools with embedded film web and conveyor belts are involved. A good purchase would be:

• model name: MY-PACK:
• price: 3750 p.;
• characteristics: 100 linear meters, weight – 15.6 kg, width – 120 cm, thickness – 70 microns, type of polyethylene – LDPE;
• pluses: big thickness, 1 grade of material;
• cons: no.

Check out the specifications of another product, which is a shrink wrap in the form of a half sleeve:

• Model Name: PACK24:
• price: 2890 rubles;
• characteristics: width – 450 mm, winding – 650 m, material – polyvinyl chloride, thickness – 15 microns, weight – 5 kg;
• pluses: reasonable cost, excellent width;
• cons: no.

Single layer

Shrink packaging has high strength, gives soft shrinkage and does not tear even at high packaging speeds, which made it popular. One of its options is a single-layer material produced by extrusion. Its essence lies in forcing a material having a high viscosity in a liquid state through a special forming tool. The result is a product with a cross section of the desired shape. One of the products in this category:

• Model Name: PACK24:
• price: 2490 p.;
• characteristics: width – 40 cm, winding – 650 m, material – polyvinyl chloride, thickness – 15 microns;
• pluses: reasonable cost, good durability;
• cons: no.

A unique version of PVC, which is a transparent and flexible polymer material with excellent elasticity and strength:

• model name: MY-PACK:
• price: 1750 p.;
• characteristics: width – 20 cm, winding – 650 m, thickness – 15 microns, material – PVC;
• pluses: reasonable cost;
• cons: small width.

Layered

Products of this type are manufactured using the coextrusion method. In the production of such films, the same extruders are used as in the manufacture of a homogeneous material, but with a completely different solution to the extruder heads. Multilayer thermofilms include a central layer, which consists of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol. The formation of each layer occurs separately. Finished products are 15-20% stronger than a single-layer version of the same thickness. Suitable products for the order can be:

• model name: Monoplast:
• price: from 140 p. for 1 kg;
• characteristics: width 100-3200 mm, thickness 30-200 microns;
• pluses: a logo or advertisement can be applied to the film ;;
• cons: no.

In addition, you can order the appropriate product option in different versions (sleeve, sleeve, linen) from PromTorgPack:

• model name: PromTorgPack:
• price: negotiable;
• characteristics: width – 100-3000 mm, length – any, thickness – from 30 microns;
• pluses: good quality, there is the possibility of applying a logo;
• cons: no.

For remote control

The modern market offers a choice of even shrink packaging designed for the remote control. They are relatively cheap. To save even more on your purchase and choose a really suitable option, check out the offers of several stores. Some outlets often carry out promotions and sales, offering their products with good discounts. One of the options:

• Model Name: Meleon Film Case:
• price: 150 r.;
• characteristics: size – 270×110 mm, 6 pieces in a set;
• pluses: water tightness, durability;
• cons: costs more than other offers.

You may be interested in the budget option for packing remotes. Another option for a transparent cover that protects all remotes in your home from external factors:

• model name: OUTAD:
• price: 51.2-92.64 r .;
• characteristics: size – 168×109 mm, 5 pieces;
• Pros: waterproof, excellent durability;
• cons: may not be suitable for a large remote control.

For bottles

Under the influence of high temperatures, the shrink material for bottles decreases in size, taking the form of products that are packed in it. Such products are very convenient and practical to use. It is irreplaceable both for transportation of bottles and for their sale. In addition, with its help it is very convenient to store this type of product. Often to save money, it is ordered in the required quantity:

• model name: Outpack:
• price: negotiable;
• characteristics: length – any, width – 100-3000 mm, thickness – from 30 microns, it is possible to paint over.
• pluses: it is possible to order in the form of a sleeve, a half sleeve, a cloth;
• cons: no.

If the described option does not suit you, then take a look at the following, which is also made to order:

• model name: Bioautomatics:
• price: from 72 p. per kg;
• characteristics: material – premium polyethylene, width, length and thickness – as agreed;
• pluses: high transparency, gloss, grease resistance, frost resistance;
• cons: no.

How to choose a shrink film

First, decide on the view. PVC film is very popular, which is distinguished by excellent gloss, transparency, a wide temperature range. Polyolefin analogue even with small sizes can withstand significant burdens. The option of polyethylene is the most popular – it is dense, elastic and inexpensive. More dense and heat-resistant is a modified material with additives. Also, decide between a sleeve, a half sleeve, and a canvas..

Choose a single or multi-layer option – the latter, even with a smaller thickness, can be more durable. To make the purchase turned out to be optimal, correctly select its thickness. So for souvenirs, flour products, etc. select a film of 20-50 microns. For packing goods in groups, an analogue with a thickness of 50-100 microns is perfect. Still there is a material of 100-250 microns, which is suitable for massive packaging of products.