What is Thickness and Types of Shrink Wrap?

1. What is Thickness and Types of Shrink Wrap?

2. About Us • Here at Shrink-wrap we are a team of highly qualified professionals able to service the areas New Zealand with our Head Office in Christchurch. • We are committed to completing your work to a high standard with efficiency and professionalism, at affordable rates. • With a proven record of satisfied clients you can trust Shrink- Wrap to exceed your expectations.

3. Types of Shrink Wrap PVC Polyolefin polyethylene

4. PVC • PVC – PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride and for years was the preferred shrink wrapping plastic for retail sales. • A PVC shrink wrap is crinkly prior to heat being applied. The consistency resembles cellophane prior to heat being applied. PVC has a very low required shrink temperature. After heat is applied it becomes hard and rigid. • It is a favorite shrink wrap for low output productions concerned about affordability. During sealing and heating PVC emits a strong odor due to the chloride. • Proper ventilation is recommended for anyone using a PVC shrink wrap.

5. Polyolefin • Polyolefin – The term polyolefin can refer to a polyethylene or polypropylene plastic. • For use in shrink wrapping, polyolefin shrink film differs substantially in characteristics from polyethylene shrink film. • Polyolefin shrink film is quickly overtaking PVC as the most commonly used shrink film for retail packaging. • Polyolefin shrink plastic offers several benefits over PVC shrink plastic. • A polyolefin shrink film is more shelf stable than PVC shrink wrap. • One of the major benefits of polyolefin shrink film is FDA approval for direct food contact. Due to the chloride in PVC shrink film, it is not approved for direct food contact.

6. Polyethylene • Polyethylene comes in multiple variations. It is the most common plastic in the world. • For shrink wrapping, polyethylene shrink film is most commonly used for heavier wrapping applications. • For retail sales, polyethylene is often used for packaging cases of water bottles and canned goods. • Retail polyethylene shrink wrap offers an excellent stretch rate and puncture resistance. • The most common thicknesses used for retail sales is a 2-3 mil thickness.

7. Plastic Thickness Conversion Chart 1 Gauge = One hundredth of a Mil 100 Gauge = One Mil Thickness 1 Gauge = .254 Microns 100 Gauge = 25.4 Microns 1 Mil = One Thousandth of an Inch 1 Mil Also equals 25.4 Microns

8. PVC Shrink Film • PVC shrink film can be found in a variety of thicknesses, but by far the most common is a 75 gauge. • The 75 gauge thickness is so common we only stock our PVC centerfold rolls in a 75 gauge thickness. • We do stock our bags in a 100 gauge thickness. PVC shrink film thicknesses are easy to figure because they are not recommended for sharp, heavy objects. • It is a great option for boxes, CD cases, and other uniform objects, but not for heavy pointed objects in excess of 25-30 lbs. • PVC shrink film becomes brittle and hard after heat is applied. These characteristics keep PVC shrink wrap from being the best option for wrapping heavy pointed objects. 

9. Polyolefin Shrink Film • Polyolefin means “oil like”. This explains the way polyolefin shrink film feels to the touch. • Polyolefin feels oil like or waxy. It is a much softer film than PVC. It does not contain Chloride like PVC does which is one of the main reasons it is food safe. • Polyolefin comes in a variety of stock thicknesses. The most common thicknesses are 60, 75, 80, and 100 gauge. • One great feature of polyolefin shrink wrap a thicker film still offers great clarity. • The advantage to using a thinner film is the roll length. Rolls of the thinner 60 gauge film are considerably longer than the 100 gauge film.

10. Polyethylene Shrink Film • This is the type of film many people think of for industrial applications. • Polyethylene film can come in thicknesses up to 12 mil. Converted, that is 1200 gauge. • Polyethylene shrink film is used for cases of water, pallet shrink bags, wrapping boats, and wrapping other large industrial items. • Polyethylene shrink film does not have the same shrink rate as polyolefin and PVC. • The lower shrink rate often makes polyethylene preferred for printing. Many of the printed water bottle cases in the store use polyethylene shrink film.

11. Click Here For More Update of Shrink Wrap Service