SHRINK WRAP FILMS
RIPS works with industry leaders in shrink film manufacturing to deliver impactful shrink-wrapping solutions. We work to deliver shrink film solutions that increase film efficiency and productivity while helping to reduce shrink film waste and lower pack costs.
The Shrink It Right audits existing shrink wrap practices, materials and equipment. The program will identify areas of inefficiency and offer improvements to increase productivity and reduce per pack costs. The Shrink It Right program will to deliver cost savings of up to 30% on your shrink wrap packaging.
How Shrink It Right Works
Most shrink wrap setups are able to get it right initially, but as time progresses very few are able to keep it right. This can be the result of a variety of causes including wrap setting changes, differences in film or equipment breakdowns. When these issues result in underperforming equipment, our Packaging Specialists can assist with an in-depth review and audit of your existing shrink film packaging solution. This audit identifies optimization areas that increase packaging speeds and improve shrink wrap standards. This is done through the improvement of the shrink-wrapping process that reduce labor and waste while improving throughput and overall shrink wrap productivity. This can involve the addition of automated packaging processes; improved film uses or the optimization of the shrink bag size.
Shrink wrap film is more of an art form than science. Getting films to shrink properly on packages consistently requires application knowledge and control of all the variables that affect the outcome. We specialize in shrink wrap machines and films and have the factory trained expertise in every category affecting the quality of your final package.
What is Shrink Wrap?
Shrink wrap, on the other hand, is a plastic film that is typically used to package the product itself (such as toys, DVDs, fresh produce, frozen foods, etc.), rather than a case of goods. When heat is applied, the plastic shrinks to fit whatever it is packaging, creating a tight, protective wrap.
TYPES OF SHRINK WRAP
There are two common types of shrink wrap.
1. POLYOLEFIN
It offers virtually no odors, great clarity & appearance, durability, & versatility. Ideal for freezer applications and is printable.
2. POLYETHYLENE
It offers lower clarity that other films but its thicker characteristics make it durable. Polyethylene tightens around the package when introduced to cool air at the last stage of the packaging process. Offers great protection for shipped products.
Comparison Between Stretch Film and the Shrink Film:
Packers should know the technical aspects of Packing before you choose Stretch or the Shrink Film. It’s all depends on the end use and the application. We have brought the clarity of Stretch Vs Shrink to have better knowledge sharing and understanding to choose the right one for your packaging application.
|
Stretch Film
|
Shrink Film
|
|---|---|
|
A stretchable film typically made of polyethylene.
|
A film that shrinks with heat and is typically made of polyethylene or polyolefin
|
|
Used to wrap palleted goods
|
Used to wrap individual products like DVDs, cucumbers, frozen foods, etc.
|
|
Types:
Hand stretch film Machine stretch film Blown stretch film Cast stretch film Pre-stretched film |
Types:
Polyolefin Polyethylene |
|
Equipment:
Turntable Stretch Wrappers Rotary Arm Stretch Wrappers Orbital Horizontal ring Stretch Wrapper |
Equipment:
L-Sealers Automatic Side Sealers Shrink Tunnels Shrink Bundling Machines |
|
Benefits:
1. Reduced shipping damages 2. Protection against the elements 3. Sustainability 4. Cost-Effective 5. Versatile |
Benefits:
1. Product protection 2. Tamper-evident 3. Increased branding space 4. Extends shelf life |
Whether you need shrink or stretch film really depends on the type of products you are packaging. If you are unsure of which type of film you need, it is best to consider bringing on a packaging expert to look at your packaging operation to help determine the right film for your application.
If you are new to packaging, you may be confused about the difference stretch film and shrink film. Afterall, if they are both made of plastic – how different can they be?
Although shrink and stretch are sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably, there are significant differences between the two packaging methods.
Overview
One of our Client had been wrapping bundles with poor shrink film and shrink packaging in their machine and only capable of wrapping 38 packs a minute, the machine was wasting shrink film due to re-wraps and lowering productivity and frequent machine downtime (from having to change from one pack to another). Having heard about our high-quality reputation from other large customers, the client approached us with the challenge to increase their packing speeds, reduce downtime, and reduce waste. We analysed and went through the problem and proposed the perfect solution for the client’s application of Shrink Wrap with our Shrink Film. Satisfied with the demonstration, the client decided to go ahead and purchase the Shrink Film from us for their operations. Client is able to now raise their wraps per minute to 65, reduce film waste, and increase productivity by reducing machine downtime.
Challenge
Not only was the client’s packaging equipment only able to wrap up to 38 packs a minute, the machine was wasting shrink film and lowering productivity due to poor film which get struck in the machine and frequent cleaning was required with additional machine downtime. Therefore, it needs to find a solution that would achieve the following:
- Increase packing speeds
- Reduce downtime
- Reduce waste
