Seal
Sleeve sealer
Creates the film sleeve around the tray or bundle before the pack passes through the heat tunnel.
View related machineryTray pack shrink wrapping
Tray shrink wrapping machines
Tray shrink wrapping machinery wraps collated products in film after they are placed into trays for improved stability and transport protection.
UK specification advice
Use trays where product stability matters
Trays can make multipacks easier to move through a shrink wrapping line, especially when products are tall, narrow or liable to move during transfer.
The shrink wrap machine must allow for the tray height, product height and total pack width so the sleeve and tunnel can process the full pack reliably.
Tray shrink wrapping is often used for bottles, cans, jars, cartons and mixed product bundles where transit protection is more important than a fully enclosed presentation wrap.
Machinery route
Tray shrink wrapping route
Tray packs usually combine product grouping, sleeve sealing and heat tunnel shrinking.
Shrink
Heat tunnel
Shrinks the film around the tray with controlled temperature, airflow and conveyor speed.
View related machineryAutomatic
Automatic bottle wrapping
For repeatable bottle tray packs and production environments with consistent pack patterns.
View related machineryBuying notes
Tray pack specification notes
When specifying tray shrink wrapping machinery, include the tray dimensions as well as the product dimensions. The total pack size determines film width and tunnel aperture.
If trays are manually loaded, operator reach and loading height should be considered. For automatic lines, the tray packing process must feed consistently into the wrapper.
The film should be strong enough for handling but suitable for the heat tunnel settings and pack contents.
Common questions
Tray shrink wrapping FAQs
Why use a tray before shrink wrapping?
A tray improves pack stability and gives products a base before the film shrinks around the bundle.
Can tray packs use PE film?
Yes, PE film is commonly used for tray shrink wrapping and transit bundles.
What measurements are needed?
Provide tray length, width, height, product height, total pack weight and the desired pack count.
Can a tray shrink wrapper run different trays?
Many systems can adjust, but the machine must be sized for the largest tray and product combination.
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.
Tray-pack selection
Coordinate tray strength, sleeve film and tunnel shrink
A tray can stabilise the product and define the bundle footprint, but its board, height and stiffness also influence heat exposure, film recovery and the finished open-sided pack.
Prove the tray at production condition
Use the real tray construction, print and product load. An empty or hand-made sample may not reproduce side-wall movement, moisture, weight or heat absorption seen in production.
Set the sleeve around the supported group
Confirm film width, overlap, seal location and the acceptable side opening. The tray should remain square through sealing, tunnel entry and initial shrink so the film does not lock in a twisted pack.
Check cooling before accumulation
Warm film can tighten further after discharge. Provide support without crushing the tray and avoid close accumulation until the bundle can tolerate the next transfer, case handling or pallet pattern.
Evidence to include
- Loaded tray dimensions, weight, board construction and moisture condition.
- Product count, orientation and stability within the tray.
- Production sleeve film identity, gauge, width and reel details.
- Accepted side opening, seal and final bundle appearance.
- Required sustained output and maximum tunnel loading.
- Discharge support, cooling and pallet or downstream handling.
Application review
Trial the loaded production tray
Send the real tray, products, film, accepted side opening, output requirement and downstream handling so the full supported-bundle duty can be checked.
Pack design comparison
Compare a full tray with a pad or trayless bundle before final machine selection
The support choice changes collation, film duty, tunnel loading, discharge handling and pallet stability.
Review the tray, pad and trayless shrink-wrapping guide, then send the complete production pack and downstream handling requirement for a representative trial.