Tag Archives: Shrink Wrapping

Common Misconceptions about Shrink Wrapping 

Shrink wrapping for pallets is used to protect the loads and secure them for storage and shipment. The pallet shrink wrapping allows one to unitize boxes of items, and it can be used with all sorts of shapes, load sizes, and even products too. 

The problem with this is that this is something that people have incorrect, and here, we’ll listen to a few misunderstandings that come with shrink wrapping, and how this material works. 

It Shrinks 

This shrink wrapping seems to shrink when this is applied to the boxes.  This is something that is different from regular shrink wrapping. This is because propane guns that have heat are used to apply the heat to these materials.  This is also available in different sizes, in order to fit the pallets and their loads. Polyethylene is also something that’s commonly used in shrink wrapping for pallets. 

Shrink wrapping is also known as stretch film by some. This is not the same.  Stretch film is something that’s thinner than a palletized shrink wrapping that uses heat. Stretch film is definitely available in different machines and hand rolls. Whenever the material is then dispensed from this roll, it essentially gets stretched out, and they will wrap this around the load, in order to hold all of this together.  This definitely pulls a more outer protection and will unitize these loads.  It’s important to wrap the products that are around the product as well. 

With a lot of bumps and road conditions being finicky, it’s important to unitize the loads, shifting it off pallets during the transport. This material stretching does reduce waste too, and they are capable of stretching with hundreds of percent of size growth. 

It’s Like Food Wrapping 

Not necessarily. 

Pallet wrapping does have a bit of cling on a singular side, and possibly two of them, but it’s far different from food wrapping. This cling is seen on one side, in order to get the pallet to shrink the film to itself. 

Pallet shrink wrapping is also made with some LLDPE and additives added. These are called plasticizers, and it also makes the material more stretchable and flexible. 

Food clinging wrap is made from different kinds of materials, and also has fewer stretch capabilities than regular food wrapping there. 

Food cling is made from a more PVC type of material, and it’s far thinner than most wrapping films too. Wrapping, along with securing loads with some cling wrap is definitely not an effective way to utilize resources, and also is a good way to wrap the pallets. 

It’s Food-Safe 

Food safe stretch wrapping doesn’t exist.  It’s not safe for food contact, unless it’s stated on this.

Most of this stretch wrapping is not made from food products. Some of these unique wrappings and other items aren’t food safe, and they need to have explicit details before you use this with food. 

Foods in containers and boxes, however, are a different story, but it definitely can be wrapped with pallet wrapping. This wrapping doesn’t need to cause condensation either if you put this in cold storage, and that of course, it won’t cause spoilage and mold. 

Pallet Wrapping can be Used without Stretching 

Most of the pre stretched film is in a roll, already stretched up to about ninety percent, and it doesn’t require much stretching and pulling during an application process. It’s great for uniform loads, as they can make sure that this is something that’s good for holding items. Taking the right measures for pallet wrapping is important, and here, we went over all of the aspects of this, and misconception. 

Pallet Stretch Wrapping to Secure Shipments Better 

Pallet stretch wrapping has been popular since the 1970s, when it came out as a better, more affordable type of shrink wrapping, while the early wraps didn’t have the stretch rate we see today, this has evolved into many different ways over time, with lots to choose in terms of options.

Most people don’t know that there are options, so here’s but a few that we love. 

Pallet Wrapping with Holes 

This is called vented pallet wrapping. These holes are made with a die cut in order to obtain the best airflow.  They usually are limited, and they keep the condensation otherwise. This airflow is vital for wrapping frozen foods, produce, and a whole lot more. Most companies that wrap this do it to trap moisture within this. This moisture that’s trapped does cause your produce to spoil much faster but with holes, it allows the air to escape, and it reduces spoilage. 

It also helps with condensation issues, a major problem for frozen foods due to the changes in temperature.  With pallet wrapping, this condensation then refreezes, and from there ice crystals begin to form on the outside of this packaging. They don’t look good, but with pallet wrapping with holes, it can prevent the condensation from forming, and prevents these packaging options from being torn up and damp. 

Pallet Wrapping for a Machine 

This is one with decades of use.  This is one that’s evolved a lot due to the different wrappers that are there. this resin formula also does change too.  In order to make this possible, various extruders will melt the resin pellets that are formed, creating a thin, unique line. 

As they melt, a lot of additives get thrown in there, and for the most part, it provides different types of characteristics, including stretch rate, and also has a capability of stretching to many levels. It can reduce the usage and the costs of the film.  But there is no amount that doesn’t prevent the tearing, especially if it has an extreme amount of stretch.

When you’re looking for this type of wrapping, check out the many different options that are there. Normal gauged types of pallet wrapping is the status quo for many, but it’s not as prevalent as it was previously. 

The equivalent stretch wrapping makes a lot of the pallet wrapping that’s sold today.  There are different varieties, with the main characteristics of this being thinner, and much more compatible and even equivalent in order to keep the retention.  You should always ask for a sample when you’re talking to suppliers, since they can give you many options. 

Handled Pallet Wrapping 

This is one that comes with a core that’s the standard 3 inches.  The insides of this can be uncomfortable for some people, and you need to roll this pretty tight in order to apply this.

But that’s where the pallet stretch wrapping with handles comes from. The core is just one inch, so it’s very easy for you to use, and a lot of companies that wrap different stuff in many areas will use this.  The rolls become much easier to put together, and it causes much less stress on your hands during the application process.  The best part is that it’s easy for someone to recycle it, as you can discard this pretty quickly.

Stretch wrapping has a variety of uses, and here, we’ve given you a few of them, so that, when you’re able to use this, you can create the ideal stretch wrapping experience for your goods and needs too. 

Shrink Wrapping Chocolates 

If you’re someone who loves to bake chocolates and make them, you’re not alone. But, if you’re someone who likes to ship these, you’ve probably run into the issue of making sure that they don’t melt. Well, one solution to do this is shrink wrapping them with heat. This can actually be done without them melting as well. 

It’s vital to make sure that the chocolates get wrapped either with a bit of chill to them, or if they’re at room temperature. However, you don’t want to pop these bad boys in the freezer, as this will create condensation too. The correct machines, and the materials used, offer a more professional appearance, and it secures different products, and provides an easier opening, and better clarity that comes with this too.

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A good idea of the type of finished product that you’ll get also determines the equipment that’ll you want to buy from this. you want to make sure that you wrap this correctly, because with anything that’s heat-sensitive like chocolate, there’s a specific sort of way to do it.

How to Do It 

The best way to use this, is to have some polyolefin shrink wrapping, as this is approved by the FDA to be used with contact from foods directly. You should go for the thinner type of film, as this is better when coming into contact with the chocolate directly, as it requires lowered levels of heat, and a better opening that’s easier too.

There are other materials that also change as well, based on the film and machines which are needed. You can use a box to help create a bigger packaging length, but it also requires more types of equipment, and bigger ones too. 

There are paper types of products that do fold as well, while the film shrinks, so it’s important to be mindful because this might cause the packaging to be distorted and uneven. If you’re going to use packaging materials that are uneven, you should consider many things before you buy these supplies. 

Bulk or Individual 

If you’re going to shrink wrapping these, you usually need to also consider whether you’re going to shrink wrap both of these, or individually.  If you’re going to do this with bulk, you’ll need a bigger machine and bigger film too. The machines and the materials that help with the bulk pack offer a chance for the product to shrink packs which are smaller too.

As for how many you can get, this ultimately depends on the demand, and the equipment that is there. it’s imperative that you’re going to want the correct types of equipment, as the wrong kind will create issues with the labor, and also might slow down the entire process that’s there.

When you’re looking to get into shrink wrapping items, you also need to focus on the budget that’s there.  you should make sure that you have the size and the efficiency to make this work. If you have a machine that’s slower and smaller, it’ll cost a bit less than anything that’s bigger and faster, but also, you need to make sure that you have the right ideas in place.

When you’re looking to have the correct shrink wrapping process, you need to factor in all of these. The machines that are there also do play a part of this.  It definitely is important to make sure that you have something that prevents the melting of the chocolate.  Usually, tunnels and heat guns are the way to go, to help shrink wrap the item, while also maintaining form.