1. Select a centre-folded shrink wrap with a width that will allow the package to be wrapped to fit inside the film with at least 50mm of film surplus at the film open side. The shrink wrap gauge will depend on the puncture resistance required. 15um, 19um and 25um are available in PVC shrink wrap.

2. The film should sit on the packaging machine rollers with the open side of the film towards the operator.  Put the separator plate inside the shrink wrap, this will ensure easy opening of the shrink-wrap.

3. Test the film sealing buy bringing the seal arm down onto the film and applying enough pressure to seal and separate the film.  Set the sealing time to as low as possible to achieve this. This will increase the life of the Teflon covers and sealing wire.

4. Pull enough shrink wrap out between sealing arm and place the pack inside the centre-folded film

5. Pack should fit comfortably inside the film with only a small space at the back and left hand side of the film.  Position the right hand side of the film and pack about 20mm from the seal pad, keeping the film slack across the pad. This will ensure good seal strength.

6. Bring down the seal arm and complete a seal, noting the strongest seal will be obtained if the film is not under tension during this step.

7. Turn the pack with the front open side of the film now across the seal pad and repeat the sealing step. You will now have a fully sealed “bag” around the pack.

8. Take the heat gun and turn it on to high speed. Caution is recommended here as the hot air at the nozzle can cause burns, wearing cotton gloves is advised.  With the pack in one hand and the package to be shrunk in the other, bring the hot air nozzle end of the gun across the pack in a fanning action, keeping the nozzle approximately 100mm from the shrink wrap to prevent burn through.  If the package can be inverted, it is preferable to shrink the back first, as this will pull the seal lines away from the front of the packs. Continue the fanning action until the pack is fully shrunk wrapped.

9. Depending on the pack size and trapped air inside the “bag” it may be necessary to put a small pinprick into the shrink film to allow the trapped air to escape once the shrink-wrap begins to shrink.

This easy method of shrink packaging using a “shrink-a-pack” packaging machine is affordable and incredibly versatile.  Gift shops, chemists, pet shops, wineries, cellars, bookshops, and photo framers the list is endless.

Contact ITT-JETPAK for a free CD or demo trial with your product.

Kerry O’Brien
New Business Development