Shrink Film Wholesale
Plastic shrink wrap is a versatile and widely used packaging material that plays a crucial role in protecting and securing products during storage and transportation. Known for its ability to conform tightly to items, shrink wrap is used across various industries, from food packaging to industrial applications. This article delves into the different uses of plastic shrink wrap, its benefits, and the environmental considerations surrounding its use.
Types of Shrink Films
Polyethylene Shrink Films
Polyethylene shrink films, primarily made from LDPE or MDPE, are popular due to their economical price and suitable flexibility. These films typically shrink by 50–60% in width and 45–55% in length and require a temperature of 90–130°C to activate the shrinking process.
Polyolefin Shrink Films
Polyolefin shrink films are made from polyolefin copolymers combinations of polyethylene and polypropylene with a transverse shrinkage percentage of 60–75% and longitudinal shrinkage of 50–65%.
PVC Shrink Films
PVC films are usually thermoplastic, with a shrinkage percentage of 50–60% in width and 40–50% in length, activated at temperatures of 125–140°C. Their typical thickness ranges from 15 to 25 microns, with a haze rate of about 8–12%.
Shrink Bags
Pre-made shrink bags, made from sealed-edge PE, POF, or PVC films, are easily used after placing the product inside. These bags have an overall shrinkage percentage of 50–70% and thicknesses of 20–40 microns. They are sealed using heat tunnels operating at 100–150°C.
Biodegradable Shrink Films
This emerging group of films, made from PLA or PBAT, have a shrinkage of 40–60% in width and 30–50% in length. They activate at temperatures of 80–130°C. Their typical thickness is 15–30 microns, with a haze rate of 10–20%.
Features of Shrink Films
High Free-Shrink
SHRINK films with a side shrinkage capability of 50–70% at temperatures of 160–200 °C ensure that the packaging fully envelops the product and covers rough or angular surfaces without creating wrinkles.
Outstanding Clarity
Films that allow more than 90% light transmission perform exceptionally well in accurately displaying the color, texture, and details of the product. This excellent clarity attracts customer attention in stores and increases confidence in the quality of the goods.
Strong Mechanical Properties
With a minimum tensile strength of 20 MPa and a tear resistance of over 50 N/mm², these films can withstand impacts and scratches during transportation and storage.
Food-Contact Safety
Polyolefin shrink films (POF) are free from PVC and are produced in accordance with FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) regulations. This compliance with standards ensures that no harmful or migrating substances enter food materials.
Thermal Stability
These films can withstand sealing, labeling, and tunnel operations up to temperatures of 220 °C without their structure weakening or changing color.
Cross-Linked Durability
By cross-linking the polymer structure, resistance to puncturing and abrasion increases by 30–50% compared to non-cross-linked films.
| Property | Standard Value | Customizable Range |
|---|---|---|
| Base Material | Cross-linked POF | – |
| Gauge (Thickness) | 35 gauge (0.89 μm) | 35–100 gauge (0.89–2.54 μm) |
| Roll Width | 500 mm | 200–1,200 mm |
| Free-Shrink | 60% | 50–70 % |
| Shrink Temperature | 160–200 °C | 150–220 °C |
| Haze (Light Transmission) | < 10 % Haze | – |
| Tensile Strength (MD / TD) | ≥ 20 MPa / ≥ 50 N/mm² | – |
| Thermal Endurance | Up to 220 °C | – |
| Food-Safety Certification | FDA / EFSA | – |
| Cross-Linking Method | Gamma / UV | – |
| Core Diameter (Delivery) | 76 mm | 38 mm / 152 mm |
Applications of Shrink Films
Consumer Packaging
POF and BOPP shrink films dominate consumer packaging applications thanks to their 60–75 % lateral shrink at 110–150 °C and exceptional clarity (Haze ≤ 8 %). These films wrap tightly around food items, small electronics, cosmetics, and retail goods, creating a uniform, glossy finish (Gloss ≥ 60 GU) that enhances shelf appeal.
Pallet Bundling
For stabilizing heavy or irregular loads on pallets, LLDPE stretch film offers 300 % elongation and optimized thickness (15–23 µm), but in high-compression scenarios, MDPE shrink films (50–60 % shrink at 130–150 °C) are preferred.
Sleeve Labeling
Heat-shrink sleeve labels—typically made from POF with 65–75 % lateral and 55–65 % longitudinal shrink—enable full 360° branding and tamper bands on bottles and containers. These sleeves support eight-color offset printing at resolutions up to 3000 dpi, allowing intricate graphics and fine text.
Product Protection
Multilayer PET/Alu/PE shrink films, with total thicknesses of 50–80 µm, provide an effective dust and moisture barrier (WVTR < 0.05 g/m²·day, OTR < 1 cc/m²·day·atm). Their tear resistance—exceeding 200 N/mm²—protects goods in storage or display against abrasion and light impact.
Why Choose SupraPol as Your shrink Film Supplier?
SupraPol, as a supplier of plastic products, has made it a priority to export high-quality products at reasonable prices to different parts of the world across five continents. One of our most significant advantages is providing consultation and guidance to our dear clients throughout the entire purchasing process, as well as assisting those who seek advice and detailed information about specifications and other related details.
Request a Free Quote or Sample Today
If you would like to place an order or request a price estimate, you can do so through this link. Furthermore, if you need purchasing advice, you can contact our colleagues and experts through the contact methods listed below.
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