Shrink film is also commonly know as shrink wrap or cling wrap.
If you find yourself handling large quantities of valuable or perishable items, you will know and appreciate the value of shrink wrap as an essential tool in protective packaging. We are not talking about the domestic ‘cling wrap’ but a Shrinkwrap made from a plastic polymer film that, when heated, shrinks and wraps tightly around any object, conforming to its unique shape.
Shrink wrap is universal; no matter what industry your business falls into, shrink wrap can be used for almost any packaging purpose and offers several advantages.
We have outlined just 4 reasons why more and more business owners are opting for shrink wrap.
1. Product Protection
When your product passes through a heat tunnel, the shrink film forms a seal, creating a protective barrier against external elements. This shrink film also provides security and containment of the load during transportation, and when the package travels, the film helps to prevent damage resulting from heat, moisture, or dust. Contrary to popular belief, shrink wrap is thicker than it looks. It’s surprisingly durable and highly resistant to punctures. Shrink film doesn’t chafe or tear as easily as other materials.
2. Cost Effective Packaging
Shrink wrap is one of the most cost-effective and affordable ways to protect items compared to other packaging materials. Shrink wrapping helps to itemize and consolidate items, meaning less space is taken up when bulk storage of items is on your warehouse floor.
3. Product Security
One of the primary reasons why government agencies, medical facilities, and financial institutions use shrink wrap is the concern for shipping security. If something is tampered with, the intrusion is easily identified because broken shrink wrap is impossible to reapply without further disfiguration.
4. Versatility
Shrink film is a versatile material used for various packaging applications irrespective of the product type or industry. Suppose you’re a company that finds yourself shipping perishable items. In that case, shrink wrap is invaluable as it can preserve that product and potentially extend its shelf life, especially when extended transport or storage periods may be necessary. A shrink film can either shrink unidirectionally or bidirectionally, so there is no restriction on what can be packaged. Several specialty films can be highly effective for specific products, offering unique wrap solutions, such as security wrap for concealing high-value loads or ventilated stretch film where airflow is required for fresh produce.
Another advantage of shrink film is its versatility in customizing and branding your product. Shrink film can easily be branded with words, colours, and logos and used as a marketing tool, as well as increasing the visual appearance of the product.
5. Convenience
Shrink wrap can be used for any project or product irrespective of whether it is for retail, food, industrial or pharmaceutical purposes, shrink film can be utilized for a broad range of applications. There is no restriction on size or application, and it can be used for wrapping system components, like wiring, or containing commercial loads of bagged salt. Eco-friendly and sustainable packaging solutions are an emerging trend that many companies are catching onto, and shrink wrap is no different. Shrink wrap options are biodegradable and recyclable, which helps reduce the carbon footprint on the environment, and companies use this brand choice to highlight their commitment to environmentally sustainable solutions.
