Below are 7 characteristics that detail some functions of shrink film. These are important to consider when using it for your product packaging.
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This is typically measured in PSI, and tells you the amount of force that the shrink film will exert on your product. If you're packaging a multi-pack that needs to be tightly contained without damaging, understanding your shrink force is very helpful, especially for adjusting your shrink machinery accordingly. If the shrink force is high and you're packaging wood, this won't matter.
However, if you are packaging a small stack of paper or lightweight chipboard boxes, this could matter. Historically, polyolefin films are high shrink force films. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films have low shrink force. New polyolefin formulations offer reduced amounts of shrink force.
Shrink films are either bi-axially oriented or preferentially oriented. Bi-axially oriented films shrink equally in both directions (Machine Direction or Cross Direction).*
Preferentially oriented film shrinks differently in either direction. The benefits of a preferentially oriented film include using less film and preventing product distortion.
In addition to altering your shrink percentages by using preferentially oriented film, you can also lower the shrink percentage and stay with a bi-axially oriented film e.g. 40/40 30/30, 20/20.
Another related characteristic is Free Shrink. Unfortunately, this isn't a tip to get free shrink wrap, but it's just as important. I know, I know... Free shrink is the amount of shrink-ability in a film before it makes contact with your product. High levels of free shrink allow you to get a better-looking package on difficult shapes and sizes.
This measures how hard it is to actually break the film, and how hard it is to tear the film once it has been punctured.
Often, films with high resistance to puncture have lower resistance to tear and vice versa. If you need to make this trade-off, select the characteristic that is more important (e.g., if you have a window box, puncture resistance is very important). Choose a shrink film that balances the security of your product with ease of access to the actual product. Be sure to keep your shrink wrap stored in a cool (but not too cool) storage area to prevent any weakening of the film prior to use.
This characteristic is a measure of how much moisture will or will not travel through the film.
If low moisture transmission into or out of your package is important, you should pay attention to this characteristic for improved shelf life. Something you will want to consider for this and to reduce or eliminate fog is modified atmosphere packaging.
Antifog films are used on food (fresh and frozen) to mitigate moisture build-up on the film.
The moisture can cause a fog that affects the viewing of the product through the film. (If I'm buying something, you bet that I'm skipping over the fogged-up package for the one with the product I can actually see).
Odor barrier films are used to prevent unacceptable odors from either traveling into or out of your package. Don't disappoint your customers after they've purchased your product with a foul smell. Enough said.
It's important to identify some specifics about your product to be packaged before diving into the details of the films available to you. Without question, a packaging supplier is key to selecting the appropriate film for your needs. Their industry experience and ability to understand your needs gives them the expertise to ascertain which types of films will and won’t work for your product.
Some of the packaging considerations you’ll need to be aware of include:
With so many types of flexible packaging film available, you are sure to find the right packaging for your product. Whether you need an option with a high melting point, one that emphasizes durability, or one that prioritizes recyclability and sustainability, there is a shrink film product available to suit your needs. With all of the opportunities for a custom finish to any product, it’s always important to do your research and consider your specific needs to determine the best options.
Also, you’ll need to do some homework regarding equipment. If you have an automatic shrink wrapper or are planning to purchase one in the future, it’s important to keep an eye on your bag length and running speeds. Sometimes operators adjust the bag length from the original specs to make running the line easier. This is particularly more noticeable on older pneumatic shrink wrap equipment. Running your film at just 1" larger than necessary can equate to 2,000 extra feet of film used per day. That’s approximately 118 wasted rolls of film.
Be sure to think about how capable your internal maintenance technicians are. Adding a shrink film wrapper to your packaging line will require technical support on a regular and as-needed basis. Assess your internal maintenance team’s comfort level with working on the new machine(s), and make sure you have a backup technician for when service is needed and your internal team can’t handle the repair.
Before purchasing and storing shrink film, make sure you know its storage requirements. You don’t want to try to work with climate-compromised packaging. Your supplier should have this information available if you’re unsure what your material requires. Overall, shrink packaging is best stored in temperatures between 30 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Naturally, summer and winter are the seasons that require you to be most attentive to your storage environment.
Your facility will likely be subject to high heat in the summer, if not during springtime. If shrink sleeves are kept in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, they may prematurely shrink and compromise their ability to protect your goods. During these hot months, keep your shrink materials stored in the coolest areas of your facility without subjecting them to refrigeration.
They should be kept cool, but not too cold. The coolest spots in your warehouse are typically close to the floors – on the lowest part of your pallet racks – and away from windows or places that are subject to a lot of sunlight. You’ll also want to keep your shrink films away from high-traffic doors because the temperatures in these areas tend to fluctuate greatly.
Additionally, try to schedule your shrink film deliveries early in the day. That way, the materials won’t sit in the back of a hot trailer when traveling from warehouse to warehouse. Not only will you avoid the harshest hours of the sun, but you’ll also give yourself more time to store them before the temperature reaches its peak.
As mentioned, packaging films tend to become especially brittle in cold temperatures, which greatly reduces their stretching and shrinking properties. While the PVC may crack, it can even shatter like glass if left in extremely cold conditions for too long.
As in the summer, store your rolls away from doors to avoid temperature fluctuations. You also want to ensure rain or snow won’t create unwanted moisture in the rolls. If you’ve been using PVC shrink film to package frozen foods or other products that spend time in a freezer truck or refrigerator, consider switching to a polyolefin film. This is a more durable, food-safe, and recyclable material that will keep your package intact during transit and packaging.
When you take shrink film out of storage, you may not know how to tell if it’s been compromised. One key sign is sticky rolls. If PVC rolls stick together, they were likely exposed to too much heat. Don't risk downtime on the packaging line by trying to use them anyway. Skip over the rolls that are stuck together. Bagging and sagging are also signs of overheated film. The rolls may begin to sag on the edges or show bagging within their layers. Using these rolls can interfere with the tracking on your machines, so avoid using these compromised rolls as well.
Remember, even the highest-quality shrink film and packaging materials are apt to deteriorate when subject to these environmental factors. No matter what quality film rolls you’re purchasing, take the time to assess how you’ll store them to ensure they protect and present your product exactly as you’ve planned.
Finally, keep your target audience at the forefront of your packaging design. The type of material you choose is a part of your brand, so any disconnect between that and your brand’s message will confuse consumers and make them lose trust. To appeal to your customers, you have to research and understand them enough before you make these key marketing and branding decisions. Market research is a great way to learn what your target audience values and decide how to pair those details with your budget, transportation, and sustainability needs and goals. Always listen to your key demographic and cater to their needs specifically.
For a quick look at some additional considerations regarding your use of shrink wrap film, check out this free shrink film cheat sheet.
Are you struggling to find the right flexible packaging supplier for your company’s needs? Have you found a handful of potential packaging partners, but aren’t sure which is the best fit for your business?
Whether you’re a new brand seeking out a flexible packaging supplier, or a seasoned business interested in taking advantage of the benefits of partnering with a US-based flexible packaging company, starting the conversation with a solid list of questions to ask is key to finding the best packaging company for your business.
We know just how hard it can be to choose a partner for your business, so we came up with a list of questions to ask when hiring a flexible packaging company.
Every great research project starts with, you guessed it, a list. Pull together a list of flexible packaging companies you found via your referral sources, online searches, and recommendations from other CPG businesses/colleagues.
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Jot down notes about which companies you’d like to learn more about, what information you need from them and any other big gaps in your knowledge about those companies.
After you’ve done a bit of research, now comes the fun part: setting up a time to talk with each of them to get your questions answered.
Before we dive into the questions, we want to share some wise words from Eric Fish, Editor of Flexible Packaging Magazine. (Note: In his quote, he refers to a ‘converter,’ which is another name for a packaging supplier). He said:
“When considering a flexible packaging company, you should be doing your homework. And while there are lots of questions you should be asking of any would-be converter, it’s important for CPGs to attain a relationship beyond the typical customer-provider one. Ideally, a converter should be an extension of a CPG’s business, so you have to be comfortable knowing you’re not just another ‘job.’ This starts with understanding and being comfortable with the processes the converter will be used to create your packaging.
Lead time is also important.
Last but not least, you have to know if you’re the type of CPG a converter is experienced working with. Some converters will only perform long runs, while others prefer working with small- and medium-sized businesses to produce shorter runs.” says Eric Fish, Editor, Flexible Packaging Magazine.
Now, let’s get into the questions.
When you’re partnering with a packaging supplier, you want to ensure they can meet all of your needs — especially if you have a variety of products. Be sure to get a comprehensive list of the company’s capabilities, the benefits they offer, the physical products they can create, and the solutions they provide. This includes everything from the actual package shape, to the materials (films and structures) they use, to the maximum/minimum size of packaging they offer, to the variety of colors they use in their printing.
We’ll get into more specific questions below, but getting a big picture view of a packaging company’s capabilities is a good place to start the conversation.
This may seem like an obvious one, but turnaround times can vary anywhere from 5 days to 6-12 weeks, depending on which company you hire. Knowing the typical turnaround time allows you to know how long it will take to receive new orders, as well as updated orders if you want to make any changes to your design.
One thing to keep in mind: unlike traditional printing, digital printing allows you to print to demand and make last-minute changes. Add a new ingredient to your recipe? Receive a new certification? Change logo design? By partnering with a company that uses digital printing methods, you can make these changes while avoiding the excess fees and unusable inventory. Digital printing also makes for a much quicker turnaround. Companies like ePac can ship client’s packaging within 5 business days for roll stock orders once artwork is approved.
Ideally, a company will have a low minimum order, especially important for small to medium-sized companies who cannot afford to have a lot of money tied up in inventory. Gone are the days when your only option is to order large amounts of inventory. When you find the right partner, that is. Always ask what the minimum order requirements are, and see if that makes sense for you.
Depending on the packaging company, minimum orders may be higher than what you need, especially if you’re running a small or medium-sized business. Knowing how much you’re required to order is a great deciding factor, especially if you’re seeking a company that offers low minimum orders.
Many of the small and medium-sized companies that we partner with cannot afford to have a ton of money tied up in inventory, making low minimum orders a must. Low minimum orders also allow for much quicker turnaround time.
A good supply partner will work with you on developing the shortest lead times with manageable order quantities.
This goes without saying, but be sure that the company has ample experience in the market and industry you’re in. Ask for examples of other brands similar to yours to see and feel what the packaging company can do. Don’t be shy when asking for examples of past and current client work — a good packaging company will want to show off their great work.
It’s also helpful for the company to have experience in a variety of other markets. This gives the team more knowledge into package form and function for various segments, how these may perform well in your specific market, and gives you access to a larger knowledge base within the company, should you ever expand into other markets.
Great packaging is a given, but finding a company that offers stellar customer service is a MUST.
By asking this question, you can find a supplier that’s interested in offering you a partnership, not just viewing you as merely another job. Ideally, you find a company that will guide you through the ordering and purchasing process, while also working to create a sustainable and lasting relationship.
Choosing a company that offers a film that is best for your product is a huge deciding factor. Be sure the company offers high-quality films that will uphold the integrity of the product inside. Ask if they offer food-grade films that block light, oxygen and other gases. Do they offer premium grade films like PET, Metallized PET, PE, and BOPP? Do they offer high barrier films, laminates, and recyclable films? Lastly, do they recommend a film structure based on the product being packaged? Finding a company that can offer you guidance, especially if you’re packaging a new product, is a huge advantage.
Chances are, you’ll find this out in conversation, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind. In the fast-paced world we live in, digital printing has its benefits.
Digital printing eliminates many of the steps required in the conventional printing process, making it faster and more efficient. Not only that, but true high definition graphics quality exceeds that of conventional/traditional printing methods, and is capable of matching existing product lines. Variable data and graphics also provide the opportunity to customize packaging in a more creative way not possible with traditional printing methods.
While traditional printing has a place, fully understanding the benefits of digital printing will help to guide you in your search for a packaging partner.
This is a biggie, especially if you’re looking for orders on either end of the spectrum: short run or long run (or, maybe both). Be sure the company is comfortable working with your size business and isn’t interested in only big brands. Ask for examples of their customers to see what other types of businesses the company is working with.
As a business owner/operator, saving time = saving money. Look for a partner that will deliver your packaging straight to the co-packer to save you time.
If you want your package to stand out on the shelf, then be sure you ask about the different features offered. Here are some additional questions to guide the conversation around features:
Once you’ve had a chance to talk with each flexible packaging company and ask your (expert level, if we do say so ourselves) questions, you have a choice to make.
If you’re still unsure, or if you’re even ready to move forward, then we recommend requesting a quote. This will also give you another opportunity to speak with someone on the packaging team and the quote will be another factor in your decision making.
Once you’ve hired your packaging partner, you can get back to doing what you do best: running your business.
We understand how hiring a flexible packaging supplier can be an equally exciting and challenging experience. Finding the right partner for your business is key, to not only finding a trusted addition to your team but also to support you in your overall business growth.
For any business to succeed, it’s important to choose a supplier that can deliver quality packaging on time and to spec, so that you can get back to running your business.
At ePac, we’re committed to serving our customers, one flexible package at a time. In fact, we like to say that we take the complexity out of flexible packaging.
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