PE
PE film for bundles
Often selected for stronger sleeve wrapped multipacks, tray packs and transit protection.
View related machineryFilm selection
Shrink wrap film guide
Film choice affects seal quality, tunnel settings, pack strength and the type of shrink wrapping machine needed.
UK specification advice
PE, POF and PVC routes are not interchangeable
PE, POF and PVC films can all be described as shrink film, but they are used for different jobs and do not suit every machine route.
POF is commonly associated with presentation packs and L-sealer routes. PE is common for stronger multipacks and transit bundles. PVC is often seen in sleeve and label applications, depending on specification.
Choosing the film before confirming the pack purpose can lead to poor seals, weak bundles or over-specified machinery.
Machinery route
Film route by application
The film should be selected alongside the sealer and heat tunnel.
POF
POF film for presentation
Common for L-sealer and chamber sealer routes where appearance and clarity are important.
View related machineryPVC
PVC and shrink sleeves
Used in selected label, neck band and sleeve applications depending on container and sleeve specification.
View related machineryBuying notes
Film selection notes
The film route can change the machine recommendation. A pack intended for transit bundling may need a sleeve sealer and PE film, while a retail presentation pack may need an L-sealer and POF film.
Tunnel performance depends on film thickness, airflow, product mass and conveyor speed. Heavier packs often require a different tunnel setup from light display packs.
Where labels or sleeve films are involved, confirm material and shrink percentage with the sleeve supplier.
Common questions
Shrink film FAQs
Which shrink film should I use?
It depends on whether the pack needs presentation, transit strength, sleeve labelling or tamper evidence.
Is PE film used for multipacks?
Yes, PE shrink film is commonly considered for stronger bundles and tray packs.
Is POF used with L-sealers?
POF is a common route for L-sealer and chamber sealer presentation packs.
Can one machine run every film type?
Not always. The machine, sealing system and tunnel must be suitable for the film material and thickness.
Next step
Ask Lancing to recommend a shrink wrapping route
Send product dimensions, pack format, approximate output rate and film preference. Lancing can help compare chamber sealers, L-sealers, sleeve sealers, heat tunnels and complete shrink wrapping lines.
Technical selection guidance
Use film data to create a repeatable sealing and shrink window
Film selection is an engineering input to the complete shrink-wrapping process. Material, gauge, width, shrink curve, seal range and reel presentation all affect whether the wrapper and tunnel can run consistently.
The practical objective is not the highest temperature or tightest-looking first sample. It is a stable recipe that produces the accepted pack across the stated product range and normal production loading.
Read the shrink curve before selecting settings
A film shrink curve describes the contraction expected at defined temperatures and exposure conditions. It is more useful than a material name alone because two films described as POF, PE or PVC can have different gauges, orientation and processing windows.
Compare the curve with the proposed tunnel dwell time and the product’s permitted heat exposure. Use the supplier’s data as the starting boundary, then establish the working recipe on the actual machine and pack.
Separate sealability from shrinkability
The film must form a reliable seal before it can shrink into an acceptable pack. Confirm the seal range, sealing surface, film treatment, contamination risk and required film overlap. A tunnel cannot restore a seal that is incomplete or mechanically damaged.
For printed film, include ink, varnish, registration and seam position in the trial because the print construction can affect friction, tracking and local heat response.
Control air release and bag size
POF full-overwrap packs need a route for air to leave as the film contracts. Perforation, seal location, bag size and film orientation affect ballooning, corner fins and clarity. An oversized bag can remain loose even when the temperature is high enough.
For PE sleeves, the open sides and film width determine how the bundle tightens around the group. Confirm that the film does not pull unstable products out of position during shrinking.
Store and identify reels consistently
Record supplier, film code, batch, gauge, width, core and reel diameter. Protect reels from damage and unsuitable storage conditions, and keep the film identification with the machine recipe so operators do not substitute a visually similar reel without review.
When a film source changes, run a controlled comparison against the approved pack. A new batch can require a different process window even if nominal dimensions appear unchanged.
| Data item | Why it matters to the machine | Evidence to retain |
|---|---|---|
| Material and construction | Determines compatible sealing and heat route | Supplier data sheet and product code |
| Thickness/gauge | Affects seal energy, strength, shrink response and material use | Specified tolerance and production reel |
| Width or layflat | Controls pack coverage, bag size and film tracking | Reel label and measured sample |
| Shrink curve and direction | Links temperature and exposure to contraction | Supplier curve and approved machine recipe |
| Seal window | Defines suitable sealing conditions | Supplier guidance and accepted seal sample |
| Perforation/venting | Controls trapped-air release | Perforation specification and pack result |
| Slip, print and treatment | Affects tracking, registration, sealing and appearance | Production-equivalent printed reel |
| Core and outside diameter | Controls mechanical reel fit and unwind | Reel drawing or measured reel |
| Trial comparison | Keep constant | Evaluate |
|---|---|---|
| Film gauge comparison | Product, bag size, seal and tunnel starting recipe | Seal quality, shrink balance, clarity and handling strength |
| Tunnel speed comparison | Film, temperature, airflow and product spacing | Dwell-time window and pack consistency |
| Temperature comparison | Film, speed, airflow and loading | Minimum effective heat and margin to damage |
| Long-run loading check | Approved recipe and product pitch | Thermal recovery and steady-state quality |
| Cooling comparison | Upstream recipe and product | Film setting, bundle strength and downstream marking |
Technical questions buyers ask
Can the same machine run POF, PE and PVC?
Some published tunnels list all three materials, but sealing equipment, film handling and recipes may differ. Compatibility must be checked for the exact film construction, pack and machine configuration.
What causes dog ears on a POF pack?
Common investigation areas include bag size, trapped air, perforation, seal position, product geometry and corner airflow. More temperature is not automatically the correct response.
Why does PE film feel loose immediately after the tunnel?
The film may still be hot and soft. Check the shrink result after the defined cooling period and ensure the discharge conveyor supports the bundle until the film has set.
Does a thinner film always reduce cost?
Not necessarily. The film must still seal, shrink and survive the intended handling route. A controlled trial should compare material use with rejected packs, line stability and required strength.
What should happen when the film supplier changes?
Treat the change as a process input. Review the data sheet, confirm reel dimensions and run an approved sample trial before releasing the new film to routine production.
Where should sleeve-label film questions be directed?
Where the primary requirement is automatic sleeve placement and print position, use the related sleeve applicator site. This guide retains the broader relationship between film, sealing and tunnel shrink.
Application review
Send the production reel and film data sheet with the samples
Include supplier code, material, gauge, width, shrink curve, print or perforation details and the accepted finished-pack standard.
Reel-change control
Requalify film changes before they alter the seal and tunnel window
Two reels described by the same broad material name can process differently. Control supplier, construction, gauge, width, shrink data, seal behaviour, perforation and storage so a film change does not become an unexplained machinery fault.
| Changed film detail | Potential process effect | Qualification check |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier, grade or construction | Different seal window, shrink curve, stiffness, slip, clarity or handling strength | Compare data sheets, identify the reel and repeat the approved seal, shrink and handling checks |
| Gauge or tolerance | Changed sealing energy, strength, heat demand, recovery and material behaviour around corners | Measure or verify the supplied gauge and run the smallest, largest and most demanding packs |
| Width or layflat | Different bag size, overlap, side opening, film fins, tracking and air volume | Confirm reel label, measured width, pack coverage, seal position and loose-film clearance |
| Shrink curve or orientation | Changed contraction at the same tunnel recipe and different force along or across the web | Review supplier data and compare temperature, belt speed, airflow and final dimensions after cooling |
| Perforation or venting | Trapped air, ballooning, holes, slow recovery or uneven corner shrink | Record perforation specification and inspect air release through the full speed and pack range |
| Print, treatment or surface properties | Tracking, registration, seal contamination, scuffing or print distortion | Use production print, verify orientation and inspect the seal and image position after shrinking |
| Core, outside diameter or reel condition | Poor mechanical fit, unstable unwind, tension variation or damaged edges | Check the reel against the machine limits and inspect storage, handling and edge condition before loading |
Retain an approved reel and recipe identity
Record the film supplier, exact product code, batch or reel identifier, material, gauge, width, core and production date where available. Link that identity to the accepted sealer settings, tunnel temperature, actual conveyor speed, airflow condition, product pitch and cooling arrangement.
When a change is introduced, compare against the last accepted reel using the same product and inspection method. Change one process variable at a time and retain the reason for the final setting.
Escalate the correct part of the process
A weak or contaminated seal should be investigated at the sealing stage before extra tunnel heat is applied. Uneven shrink may begin with bag size, film orientation, perforation, product position or airflow rather than the controller set point. A drifting web may be related to reel damage, unwind alignment or surface properties.
Use the heat tunnel process guide for thermal acceptance, the L-sealer page for full-overwrap sealing, and the sleeve-sealer page for PE bundle formation. Bottle labels and neck bands should follow the specialist sleeve-applicator route.
Film process control
Create a controlled film specification before transferring a recipe
POF, PE and PVC-related shrink applications should be managed by an approved film identity and a recorded process window. A generic material name is not enough to reproduce sealing, shrink appearance or downstream handling.
Identify the reel completely
Record supplier, product code, material family, construction, gauge, width or layflat, reel length, core, print orientation and perforation. Two reels described with the same broad film name may seal and shrink differently. The recipe must be tied to a specific approved material.
Read the shrink curve as a process window
A film shrink curve describes how contraction develops with temperature and exposure under defined test conditions. It is not a universal tunnel setting. The real pack adds seal geometry, air release, product heat absorption, airflow and cooling, so representative trials remain essential.
Protect seal quality before increasing heat
Weak or intermittent seals may come from contamination, incorrect dwell, pressure, film tension, film identity or damaged consumables. Increasing energy without checking those inputs can narrow the usable window or damage the film. Inspect the seal before treating a finished-pack defect as a tunnel issue.
Control storage and change approval
Film condition can change through storage, contamination, damage or uncontrolled substitution. Retain reel labels and approved samples, define how alternative film is authorised and perform a first-off check after every supplier, construction, gauge or print change.
| Film record | What to capture | Process relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Supplier, code, material family and construction | Prevents an unapproved substitute from inheriting a recipe that may not suit it |
| Dimensions | Gauge, width or layflat, reel length, core and maximum outside diameter | Affects unwind, tracking, film envelope, change parts and reel handling |
| Seal behaviour | Recommended seal window, layer orientation and contamination sensitivity where supplied | Supports repeatable seal development without unnecessary energy |
| Shrink data | Supplier shrink curve or directional shrink information under stated test conditions | Helps plan tunnel trials while recognising that the real pack changes heat transfer |
| Air release | Perforation pattern or method and its orientation on the pack | Allows trapped air to escape without creating uncontrolled weak points |
| Print and surface | Print orientation, inks, coatings, slip and label/barcode requirements | Affects tracking, appearance, distortion and downstream scanning |
| Storage and handling | Storage condition, age control, damage, contamination and acclimatisation requirements from the supplier | Reduces process drift caused by material condition rather than machinery |
Do not transfer settings by film name alone.
When the reel supplier, construction, gauge, width, perforation or print changes, approve the new material through a controlled first-off and representative run. Preserve both the new recipe and the evidence showing that the pack still meets the agreed standard.
Application review
Send the production reel data with representative products
Include the reel label, supplier data sheet, sample film, product extremes and approved pack standard. Lancing can then assess the sealing and tunnel route against the material intended for production.
Film questions
Further questions about shrink film format and control
Film material alone does not define a usable reel. Width, layflat, fold, gauge, perforation, print, storage and supplier identity all affect sealing and shrinking.
How is the correct shrink film width established?
The correct width is based on the product orientation, full loose-film path, sealing method and the amount of film needed to close without excessive corner material. It should be confirmed with the actual pack and machine route rather than calculated from one outside dimension alone.
Too little film can strain seals or prevent full enclosure; too much can create large corners, trapped air and unstable presentation. Record the approved width with the exact product and reel identity.
What is the difference between centre-folded and single-wound shrink film?
Centre-folded film is folded along its length so a product can be introduced between two layers before the remaining open edges are sealed. Single-wound film is supplied as one flat web and is commonly used in other wrapping, sleeve or overlap arrangements.
The required form depends on the machine design. A reel with the correct material and gauge can still be unusable if its winding format, width or orientation does not match the film path.
Why should shrink film storage and reel condition be recorded?
Storage conditions, contamination, edge damage, telescoping, blocking and reel distortion can affect unwinding, tension, sealing and presentation. When a process changes unexpectedly, the reel condition and storage history help distinguish a material-handling problem from a machine setting problem.
Protect approved reels in line with the film supplier’s instructions and identify partial reels so a later trial can be traced to the same material.
Prepare a useful enquiry
Provide the supplier, exact film code, material, gauge, width or layflat, winding form, perforation, print details and a labelled production reel. Send the application details to Lancing.
Reel control
Verify film identity, condition and air release before changing the recipe
The machine can only reproduce a pack when the loaded reel matches the approved material and enters the process in a controlled condition.
How can storage and handling affect shrink film?
Misidentification, contamination, damaged edges, crushed cores or a large environmental change can affect unwind, tracking, sealing and shrink response. Follow the supplier’s limits and inspect the reel before adjusting the machine.
What is intentional film perforation for?
Approved perforation can release trapped air as film contracts. The required pattern depends on film, bag size, seal, product geometry and finish. Random holes or splits are defects, not a substitute for specified air release.
Why retain the batch and reel label with the approved pack?
It links the result to supplier, construction, gauge, width, perforation and batch. When quality changes, that record helps distinguish a material change from machine, product or environmental variables.
Which film changes should trigger a review?
A change in supplier, code, construction, gauge, width, print, perforation, core or reel direction should be assessed before the previous settings are released. Use a first-off approval and representative run.
Film dimensions
Measure film width and layflat from the machine path, not the product name
POF, PE and PVC-related materials can be supplied as centre-folded web, single-wound film, tubing, bags or printed sleeves. Each route needs different dimensional evidence.
What must be measured for centre-folded shrink film?
Measure the product width, height and length in running orientation, including every production extreme and protrusion. Then confirm the opened web, cut-off or bag length, seal allowance, side clearance and the machine’s reel width, core and outside-diameter limits.
What must be measured for single-wound sleeve film?
Record the group width and height, product pitch, intended overlap or open side, bundle support and film path. Web width must create the accepted bundle without excessive overlap, pulling the group out of alignment or overloading the tunnel with unnecessary film.
Why is printed-sleeve layflat not enough on its own?
Layflat does not define cut length, print repeat, seam position, shrink direction, gauge or the container profile. Supply the complete sleeve drawing, filled container, placement height and accepted artwork position so application and heat shrinking can be assessed together.
How should the selected film size be approved?
Run the intended production reel through normal setup, sustained loading, a gap and restart. Check tracking, seal quality, air release, tunnel response, cooled finish and the smallest and largest formats. Keep the approved reel identity with the recipe.