How to Save Money When Buying Good Gloss Shrink Film

Characteristics Of Shrink Film For Product Packaging

Below are 7 characteristics that detail some functions of shrink film. These are important to consider when using it for your product packaging.

With competitive price and timely delivery, HYF sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

Shrink Force (AKA Shrink Energy)

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 Orientation

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.

Shrink Percentages

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. 

Resistance to Puncture / Tear

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. 

MVTR (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate)

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

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

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:

• What type of product you are packaging
• The product's weight, shape, and dimensions
• Your objectives for color and labeling
• Whether the film can be printed to meet your needs
• How the product will be packaged into the flexible film (manually or via machine, and what type of machine)
• The product's journey from creation to shipment to the shelf and beyond
• Whether it will be handled often and/or subject to rough handling
• The types of climates/environments it will experience
• Whether it requires specific film additives to keep it fresh (e.g., oxygen or moisture barrier)
• Requirements for anti-tampering and security of the finished good
  

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.

Summer:

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.

Winter:

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.

Audience:

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.

Branding without shrink sleeves has become unimaginable. A well-designed and properly executed shrink sleeve application promises enhanced brand recognition, recall and visibility for your products on cluttered shop shelves.

However, it is crucial to understand the possible and often staggering setbacks you could face if you do not consider the effects of shrink distortion on your artwork design.

The Dilemma of 2D VS 3D

The shrink sleeve making process is pretty straightforward. It starts with designing the artwork and transferring it to the film via printing. The film is joined together and placed over the destination container or bottle. Next, it is time for the heat tunnel where the sleeve gets shrunk to fit around and onto the bottle.

What could go wrong?

Since the printed artwork is 2D and its execution is in 3D, there are high chances of the artwork becoming distorted and looking different from the intention. Hence, the need for pre-distortion of graphics comes up.

Pre-distortion to The Rescue

During the graphic pre-distortion stage, keep in mind the shape of the container and how much shrinkage is typical for the chosen material.

Until recently, pre-distortion was primarily a manual and experimental task that required multiple rounds of revisions, causing massive delays.

Thankfully, massive R&D in this field has brought about state-of-the-art 3D rendering technology to visualise the expected shrinkage.A good case in point is the advanced Distortion Prediction Technology' we use at Taurus Packaging.

It allows us to visualise the container in 3D and how the graphic will appear after the expected shrinkage. Once everything is checked, the pre-distortion gets done.Next, the rendered ARC'3D image of your sleeved container shows how the sleeves would appear in real-time.If everything is on point, the design is ready to be printed.

Closing Thoughts

Artwork pre-distortion is a crucial step that must get incorporated into your shrink sleeve development process. Distortion prediction allows graphics and text to appear flawlessly on products so you can make good branding decisions before going for commercial approvals.

Do you require R&D guidance and expert technical support to eliminate glitches in your shrink sleeve development and design processes? Book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com

In a previous article on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), I have discussed the responsibility of brands to recover, recycle, reuse, and dispose of the products they produce. And how they need to innovate their waste management initiatives.

Now, what if you could shift to packaging made from recycled materials? Such a step could help you preserve the environment, stop depending on consumers to recycle after use, and cater to shoppers who favor sustainable brands.

This is the crux of PCR!

What is PCR?

The term PCR refers to Post-Consumer Recycled (reprocessed) plastic, primarily manufactured at recycling plants from items that consumers have, in a way, already recycled. Hence, PCR plastic is clean plastic that needs no further recycling. Since PCR plastic comes from reprocessed or post-consumer plastic waste, it reduces the load on landfills ' which is a big PLUS.

Sustainable Packaging With PCR

PCR packaging film is a sustainable packaging alternative. It is made using the reprocessed PCR plastic which is derived from recycled materials like plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, and aluminum, etc.

Hence, it is a much better alternative to virgin plastic derived from non-renewable resources like natural gas, putting a strain on our environment.

Benefits of PCR Plastic And Its Usage

POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT: Unlike virgin plastic, post-consumer recycled plastic is gentle on our planet. Since plastic waste gets rooted in recycling facilities, PCR plastic helps reduce toxic plastic waste that piles up at landfills.

STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY: There is a consistent rise in the number of shoppers and consumers sensitized about preserving the environment for their future generations. These individuals are making conscious efforts to buy from brands with strong sustainability goals. Hence, using PCR materials for your packaging needs will help you become more sustainable and tap into this growing consumer base.

FLEXIBLE PACKAGING MATERIAL: Today, PCR packaging films are being used to fulfill packaging needs across all major industries, including pharma and food. It is a flexible material that meets and passes all kinds of stringent quality checks.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Today, companies worldwide are taking their sustainability goals seriously and recognizing the importance of reducing their carbon footprint. In this context, the shift towards PCR plastic materials is a welcome move. Though still in its early stages, it will be interesting to see how well brands adapt to this change and include post-consumer recycled plastic and packaging for their products.

Would you like an expert opinion on how you can support your sustainability goals with PCR plastic? Then feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

Colours form the heart and soul of print designs. So it is no wonder that brands spend a lot of time and attention selecting the correct colour scheme for their product's packaging. However, the work does not stop here as it's equally important to bring the design to life, exactly, the way it looks on the computer. Any mismatch and the printed design may appear far different from the intention, leading to unavoidable delays and unnecessary panic. It is here that the concept of color-matching comes in.

What is Colour Matching?

Simply put, colour matching refers to making sure that the colours in your packaging design, visible on screen, look the same once the design gets printed and takes its place on the final product. Hence, color-matching is crucial in printed packaging. It not only helps to maintain colour accuracy in terms of its hue, brightness, and saturation but avoids last-minute surprises and deviations from the intended result.

Ways to Achieve Colour Correctness in Printed Packaging

1.  Start Designing in the Most Appropriate Colour Space

Colours get represented differently in different colour spaces. Hence, to get desired results, it is recommended to work in the correct colour space right from the beginning. It means that you may have to go beyond the default colour profiles on your system, such as sRGB, and install the one most appropriate for your projects like Adobe RGB or CMYK.

2. Use Proofing Tools to Generate a Soft-Proof of Your Designs

Before you spend time and money printing the hard-proof of your design and being disappointed with the results, go in for soft-proofing using a calibrated monitor. An electronic-screen soft-proof is a highly beneficial alternative to get a sense of what the design and colours will look like upon printing and whether or not you're on the right track.

3. Don't Forget the Physical Print Proofs

After checking the artwork on your monitor, it's time to get a digitally-printed physical proof of the design. Though it may seem unimportant, it is, in fact, the hard printed proof that helps to spot problem areas and possibly foretell inconsistencies that may crop up in the final version the printing press sends you and avoid them beforehand.

4. Communicate Your Expectations to The Printer

It is always good practice to brief your printer about your expectations correctly, especially when they're about to tackle large runs, tricky print jobs and complex reprints. So do provide them with colour matching samples, reference prints, and colour mixing references to maintain colour accuracy & reduce time wastages in corrections.

5. Ask for Cylinder Proofs

Most printers and consumers depend on cylinder proofs for print approval since they give the right colours up to a certain extent. However, cylinder proof does have its limitations.

• The cylinder manufacturer must be using the same film and inks to match the proof, or there will be a deviation.
• Proofing is done with high viscosity inks, whereas in printing, viscosity is lower, which can produce variations between the proof and the actual print run.
• Proofing happens at a much slower speed than the actual commercial speed of printing. Slow speed would mean there would be a difference in dot transfer, thereby affecting the colours.

Though cylinder proof is a sensible parameter to check the print job, it can differ from the actual result. Hence, do keep a certain tolerance for colour shades in mind when relying on cylinder proofs.

6. Opt for a Colour Library

If you need special or uncommon colour profiles for your print packaging, you might want to consider working with a colour library such as Pantone or CMYK equivalents. For one, you will have access to a full gamut of colour references. And two, maintaining colour accuracy and representing your brand correctly will no longer be challenging.

7. Use Extended Colour Gamut Printing (ECG)

Extended Colour Gamut Printing is the methodology of introducing three additional inks, Orange, Green & Violet (OGV), to the CMYK Process Colours, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black during printing. Adding the extra colours extends or expands the range of colour printing and helps to reduce the overall dependence on spot colours. The resultant printed images are a lot more vivid with negligible colour difference.

8. Pay Attention to the Lighting

Whether you're approving proofs or colour matching, it is crucial to have the correct lighting since even the slightest variation in your light source can change how visual is perceived. So try to maintain standard lighting conditions as that goes a long way in avoiding faulty approvals and perception-related glitches.

According to the International Standards Organisation ISO , you should view and approve prints under a D50 equivalent light source.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

A little planning and forward-thinking goes a long way to complete the printing project without delays, rework, and glitches. And ensuring that you get your printed colours right and in perfect sync with the intended results.

Do you need an expert's opinion on how you can improve your printing procedures and get consistent results, every time? Then feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

In our previous article, we talked about the effect of shrink sleeves on PET bottle recycling. In this article, let's look at how PP containers react to recycling when shrink sleeves stay attached to them.

PP or Polypropylene is a type of plastic commonly used to manufacture food containers utilized in packaging takeaway food items and beverages, etc.

Though PP containers are recyclable, certain film substrates interfere with the recycling process if they are left attached to the containers. That's why businesses must know which shrink films are best for proper recycling and the correct procedures to follow during PP container recycling.

Selection of a Film Substrate

Compatibility: Some sleeve label materials have a density of <1.0 and thus float in the float/sink tank, remaining with the PP. This material cannot be removed during the recycling process. Hence, it can contaminate the recycled PP if not compatible with the PP.

What's the Solution?

• Films compatible with PP recycling sink in water and can separate from the PP floating in the water. That's why a preferred choice is to use full bottle sleeve labels specifically crafted for automatic sorting.
• Considering that a full bottle sleeve gets attached to the full surface of the bottle, leaving only a small portion uncovered, we must select a material compatible with automatic sorting, or the sorter machine may segregate the PP bottle with the wrong materials destroying it.
• Also, PVC material needs strict avoidance as even a trace amount can contaminate the reprocessed PP.

Label Inks

The type of ink used on sleeve labels of PP containers also has a bearing on their recyclability.

For example, certain types of label inks bleed during the wash step of the recycling process. If the PP container catches on to the ink color, it becomes discolored, making it even more difficult to salvage the PP and turning it reusable for various intended purposes.

What's the Solution?

• It is recommended to select inks with the correct density, so they stay on the label during the wash process.
• And do not bleed and mix with the water.

Why Using Pressure-Sensitive PP/PE Labels is Detrimental for PPRecycling?

When recycling a PP container, it is important to know how a certain film substrate will behave in contact with water.

Will the adhesive used to secure the label give away and release the label or will it keep the label held on to the container? In other words, will the label sink or float?

Hence, it is here that testing the adhesives to see how they react becomes crucial. Either the adhesive must be well suited to the PP or it should come off hassle-free during the wash process.

If not, and even the slightest traces of the adhesive stay, it will discolor the recycled PP, spoiling the end result.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Good Gloss Shrink Film. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Model Specifications ' Shrink Sleeve Labels for PP Bottles

According to the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), here are the identified characteristics considered compatible with PP recycling '

Full Compatibility: Sleeves PETG with density >1 g/cm³, and with a size that does not hinder the recognition of the underlying PP-polymer.

Limited Compatibility: Sleeves in PVC, PLA, PS (all with density > 1 g/cm³)

Low Compatibility: Sleeves that hinder the recognition of the PP; Sleeves in non-PP-materials with density < 1 g/cm³; Aluminium/Metalised Sleeves; Heavily inked sleeves

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Considering that plastic continues to be frequently used in packaging and requires proper recycling, it is the responsibility of businesses to be conscious about their choices.

The future may see us joining hands with label suppliers who offer recycling-compatible sleeves for their products. But until then, it is on us to do our bit towards a cleaner, safer environment for us and our future generations.

Would you like to get an expert opinion on the best recyclable packaging solutions for your products? Then feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

Every business that is a part of the packaging industry must know the importance of proper recycling, be it manufacturers, label suppliers, or consumer brands. And considering that a lot of different materials get used to creating products, it is crucial to understand how shrink sleeves affect their overall recyclability.

In this article, we will look at the effects of shrink sleeves when PET bottles and containers are attached to get recycled ' along with how to better the recycling process using globally recognized options and alternatives.

Let's dive in.

Compatibility of PVC, PETG, OPS, and PLA Film Substrate

Research shows shrink-label films made of PVC, PETG, PLA &OPS are incompatible with PET recycling.

For example, if we use PVC shrink label films and recycle the PET containers they are attached to, it causes black speck contamination, making the container non-recyclable.

Similarly, using PETG shrink label film, PLA or OPS shrink sleeves also render the containers incapable of recycling and cause complicated issues.

What's The Solution?

• Before recycling PET bottles and containers, the sleeves attached to them need to be removed so that the films do not interfere with the recycling process.
• Another option is to use PET-based films. Once crystallized, they recycle along with the bottles to which they are attached.
• You can also opt for labels and films that leave the PET bottle and stay suspended in the water.

Printing Inks

During the wash step of the recycling process, the PET flake gets combined with the hot alkaline water. Usually, the ink used on the label discolors and contaminates it.

What's The Solution?

• As soon as the ink leaves the shrink sleeve label, it must be carefully cleaned and filtered, not only from the PET flakes but also the wash water to avoid damages.
• With labels that float in the water, using inks with the right density is important to ensure the labels continue to stay afloat without any chances of descending.
• And that the inks stay on the label.

Growing Awareness About the Importance of Proper Recycling

Over the last couple of years, more businesses have become sensitized about finding ways to recycle PET bottles and containers correctly. As well as ensuring that the labels do not interfere or delay their proper recycling.

For example, de-seaming adhesives are making it simpler, easier, and faster to get the label off the container before it gets washed during recycling.

Innovative label films are coming up in the market to create more sophisticated shrink labels. And certain printing ink formulations no longer jeopardize PET's recyclability.

Machines such as De-Labelers are speeding up the act of detaching labels from PET bottles at the initial stages of recycling. And much more.

So, it is safe to say that in the coming years, more advancement in PET recycling can be expected throughout the world.

Model Specifications ' Shrink Sleeve Labels on PET Containers

Full Compatibility: Sleeves with density <1 g/cm³, and with a size that does not hinder the recognition of the underlying PET-polymer.; PET (not PETG) sleeves with washable inks.

LIMITED COMPATIBILITY: Twin-perforated sleeves for easy removal.

LOW COMPATIBILITY: Sleeves that hinder the recognition of the underlying PET-polymer (e.g., too large, metalized, heavily inked);

Sleeves with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g.,PVC; PS; PET; PETG); Foamed PETG sleeves (even with density <1 g/cm³);

PETG sleeves with non-washable inks.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

As the world moves towards responsible recycling and sustainability, it is the duty of every business in the packaging supply chain to contribute to this endeavor by making the right shift.

There should be a greater focus on sensitizing businesses and consumers about recyclability guidelines and label removal before disposing of PET bottles. And with time, brands should look towards collaborating with label suppliers that offer recycling-compatible sleeves for their products.

A little effort in the right direction can make a big difference.

Would you like to get an expert opinion on the best recyclable packaging solutions for your products? Then feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

Any talk about food safety in India is incomplete without mentioning the FSSAI.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) https://fssai.gov.in/ is an autonomous body established in . It comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

The main role of FSSAI is to ensure that consumers have access to safe and nutritious food manufactured, stored, distributed, sold, and imported under a set of clearly defined standards supported by science. So, in a way, FSSAI takes away any ambiguity from the production, sales, and distribution of wholesome food articles to the consumer.

FSSAI Guidelines For Labelling, and Packaging

The right kind of packaging is crucial for maintaining the quality of food items and delivering them safely to the consumer. Just as important is the right kind of labelling since it provides important product information and helps consumers make informed buying decisions by reading the label and knowing what they are getting.

The FSSAI has set unified standards and stringent requirements for the safe packaging and accurate labelling of pre-packaged food items. The aim is to make certain that any packaged food item that hits the market and reaches the consumer is 100% fit for human consumption.

And that it is labelled correctly and truthfully, displaying all the vital information about its contents such as the health benefits, nutritional value, and special dietary uses, etc.

Every company that sells pre-packed food must adhere to FSSAI labelling guidelines and comply with them before putting their products on the market. The information printed on the labels should be 100% accurate and clear and precise, with absolutely no falsehood.

The information must be in either English or the Devanagri script and additional use of other languages is also allowed.

Let's look at the most important information to mention on food labels:

' Name of the product/trade name
' Net quantity or product weight
' Batch, Lot or Code No.
' FSSAI logo and license number
' Packaging or manufacturing date
' Best Before and Use-by Date
' Names of all the ingredients used to make the food item.
' Vegetarian or non-vegetarian (green or red colored circular signs inside a square).
' Full declaration of the calories and nutritional information. Such as the amount of fats, dietary fibre, protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, sodium, sugar, etc.
' Use of food additives, if any (to enhance the look, color, or taste of the food item).
' Name & the full address of the manufacturer (the factory where the product is manufactured)
' If the product was imported, then the name of the country.
' Proper instructions for using the product

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Indian consumers are now more conscious of what they are buying than ever before. They read the packaging and labels to know more about the contents and only then make an informed purchase for the entire family.

It makes the role of correct labelling and packaging very important. Hence, it is best practice to follow and comply with the FSSAI packaging and labelling guidelines and present yourself as a responsible company that cares for its customers.

Would you like an expert opinion on the best packaging and labelling guidelines for your food products? Then feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

Are you using high-quality shrink sleeve labels for your awesome products? You can now count on making your brand and products stand out on shop shelves.

Considering that shrink sleeves are somewhat fragile and delicate packaging materials, it is crucial to understand and follow the best techniques for handling, storing, and transporting shrink sleeves correctly.

After all, the last thing you'd want is for your shrink sleeves to become damaged due to conditions in your control. Right?

Let's get started.

Common Factors That Influence The Quality of Your Shrink Sleeves

Several conditions can affect and even compromise the usability of shrink sleeves. These include '

1. Temperature and Heat

Extreme temperatures such as excessively hot or very cold and direct sunlight can distort and damage your shrink sleeves beyond repair. When this happens, the sleeves become unusable, costing you heavily.

Now, with summers here in full swing, proper storage and shipping become extremely important if you want to protect the sleeves from damage and get the best results from them.

Usually, when exposed to temperatures beyond 30°C, shrink sleeves show a tendency to start shrinking. This in turn causes difficulty in sleeving products correctly.

Humidity is another factor having a bearing on the label's ink and shrink sleeve usability.

BEST PRACTICE: While shrink sleeves are liked for their ability to shrink or expand easily, depending on the application, unwanted shrinkage due to temperature fluctuations need to be avoided.

To do this, shrink sleeves need to be stored and shipped under proper temperature control and ensure swift application to get the intended results.

2. Environmental Pollutants

Before the shrink sleeves get applied to your products, they go through various processes and get handled by several people.

When exposed to dirt and dust particles, shrink sleeves which already has some static charge and attract this dust, lose their sheen and their effectiveness to be applied to your products.

Also, incorrect handling can cause scratches and other forms of damage.

BEST PRACTICE: Handle shrink sleeves with responsibility and care to protect their looks, sheen, and keep the quality intact.

3. Storage

If your shrink sleeves get stored for long periods before the actual application, they are more likely to be exposed to varying problematic conditions like natural shrinkage of the film, or film getting brittle. And this increases their susceptibility to damage.

BEST PRACTICE: Plan your product's packaging process and avoid overstocking so you won't have to store your shrink films for longer than required.

Transportation & Storage Tips for Shrink Sleeves

Transportation:

• It's best to ship the shrink sleeves in a temperature-controlled delivery vehicle.
• If quantity not sufficient for a refrigerated vehicle, then during summers, get the sleeves delivered for application overnight or early morning to avoid excessive heat and sun exposure.
• Ensure there are no damages during transit.

Storage:

• If there is a gap in the application despite timely delivery, store your shrink sleeves in a temperature-controlled storage facility.
• If storing an extra reserve of sleeves, ensure the temperature and humidity levels are in check- preferably less than 25°C
• Avoid storing them for more than 180 days.
• During summers, store the shrink sleeve labels towards the colder parts of the warehouse, away from sun exposure.
• Avoid fluctuations in temperature.

Shelf Life of Your Shrink Sleeves

Even if you buy the highest-quality shrink packaging for your products, remember, they too have a USE BEFORE date. In other words, you cannot store your labels indefinitely, or they will become unusable.

Hence, speak to your supplier to know the expected shelf life of the sleeves you are ordering and buy only the quantity which you may need since now lower quantities of sleeves can also be printed with ease.

Closing Thoughts

Your investment in good-quality labels is guaranteed to deliver excellent results, provided you and your packaging partner follow the necessary storage, transportation, and handling guidelines.

Would you like an expert opinion on which sleeves are best for your products, how to buy an optimum quantity of sleeves with ease, and how to make sure their quality remains intact from label delivery to its application?

 Feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

When it comes to finding the best printing method for your brand, there are plenty of choices available.

 Let's look at the most popular technologies in use today:

OFFSET PRINTING: Metal plates transfer or off-set the design onto a rubber roller and then to the printing material.

SCREEN PRINTING: Suitable for bulk printing, mesh screens press the inks and transfer the image on the desired material such as fabric.

DIGITAL PRINTING: Giving a quick turnaround time, digital printing deals with digital designs rather than printing plates. Ink is transferred through inkjets.

ROTOGRAVURE PRINTING: It's an Intaglio Printing technique in which a copper-plated Steel cylinder is laser-engraved with the intended design. It involves engraving the image onto the cylinder and then transferred it to the substrate through pressure.

FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING: Quite like letterpress printing, the printing plates get attached to raised rotating cylinders. It is a form of printing process which utilizes a flexible relief plate. And fast-drying inks are transferred onto the material to print the desired images.

The popularity of Gravure & Flexographic Technologies in Flexible Printing

Rotogravure and Flexographic Printing are the two most prevalent techniques used to meet versatile packaging requirements.

And they are commonly used in the food, beverage, and personal care industry where they use flexible (lightweight, malleable, or non-rigid) packaging materials. These include plastic films, paper, or foil that take the desired shape with ease.

Rotogravure Vs Flexo Printing

Rotogravure Printing offers exceptional-quality and accurate prints, preferred for printing labels, shrink sleeves, laminates, and pouches.

Wide Web Flexographic Printing is ideal for long runs, and when the desired printing speed is super-fast. Since it offers excellent print text clarity, it gets used for printing labels and films.

Narrow Web Flexographic Printing is good for self-adhesive labels, pressure-sensitive labels, and short runs of shrink sleeves.

Key Differences:

CHOICE OF INKS: Though Gravure printing supports many inks, a broader range of inks are available in Flexo printing.

PRINT QUALITY: Flexo offers higher clarity when the design has fine detailing and written text. However, if the artwork is detail-heavy and intricate, Gravure gives more consistency and vibrancy in print quality.

EXPENSES: Flexo is a more cost-efficient technique than Gravure when you compare the printing plate costs. However, cylinders used in Gravure generally last longer across multiple print runs than the Flexo plates.

Which is Better?

Since both Rotogravure and Flexographic printing techniques have pros and cons, we cannot replace one with the other. So before choosing a printing method, you must consider the best technique for the task you wish to accomplish.

Do you need an expert's opinion to select the right printing method? Feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

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