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How to Save Money When Buying Shrink Film

18, Aug. 2025

1. What Type of Shrink Film is Best for My Application?

The first step in buying shrink film is understanding the different types available. Shrink film comes in various formulations and types, each suited to specific uses:

Polyolefin (POF): This is the most common and versatile shrink film, known for its clarity, strength, and flexibility. It’s ideal for retail packaging, food packaging, and shrink-wrapping products.
Polyethylene (PE): Known for its thickness and durability, PE shrink film is typically used for heavier products, such as large bundles or heavy equipment, where more strength is required.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC shrink film is often used for shrink wrapping products like CDs, DVDs, and electronics. It is rigid and less flexible than POF or PE but provides an excellent finish.

Consider your product size, weight, and type when deciding which shrink film to purchase. For example, if you need flexibility and a clear finish for retail-ready products, polyolefin shrink film is likely the best option.

Shrink Film

2. What Size and Thickness Do I Need?

The thickness and size of the shrink film are critical factors in determining how well it will perform. Shrink film comes in various gauges (thicknesses), and the choice depends on the size and weight of the item being wrapped:

Thin Film (50-75 gauge): Ideal for small to medium-sized products, especially those that do not require heavy protection.
Medium Film (75-100 gauge): Suitable for larger items or those that require a balance between protection and flexibility.
Thick Film (100+ gauge): Typically used for heavy-duty packaging, such as bundling heavy items or sealing bulk products.

Additionally, shrink film comes in different widths. Be sure to select a size that fits the dimensions of your products to avoid unnecessary waste and to ensure a snug, professional-looking wrap.

3. What is the Shrink Ratio of the Film?

The shrink ratio refers to how much the film shrinks when heat is applied. A typical shrink film will shrink in both directions (width and length), and the ratio can range from 30% to 75%, depending on the type of film. Understanding the shrink ratio is vital for getting a tight, secure fit around your products.

High Shrink Ratio (60-75%): Best for tightly wrapping small, irregularly shaped items. This ensures a snug fit and helps prevent product movement during shipping and handling.
Medium Shrink Ratio (30-50%): Suitable for larger products or items that need less compression.

If you're wrapping multiple products together, a higher shrink ratio may be beneficial as it ensures the film tightly seals and secures them.

4. How Will the Shrink Film Be Used?

The intended application of the shrink film should be a primary consideration in your decision. Some films are better suited for machine applications, while others are designed for manual use:

Machine Shrink Film: This type of shrink film is designed for automatic or semi-automatic shrink-wrapping machines. It’s ideal for businesses that require high-volume packaging.
Hand Stretch Shrink Film: This is a thinner and more flexible option designed for manual wrapping. It's often used for small operations or for wrapping a few products at a time.

Consider how the film will be applied, the machinery you have available, and your production volume when deciding on the type of film.

5. What Is the Film's Seal Strength?

The seal strength of shrink film refers to how well the edges of the film seal together once heat is applied. A weak seal can lead to the film splitting or coming apart, compromising the integrity of the package. Make sure to ask the supplier about the seal strength, particularly if you plan to wrap heavy or sharp-edged products. Films with a higher seal strength are ideal for products that need extra durability during shipping and storage.

6. Is the Shrink Film Food Safe?

If you’re using shrink film for packaging food products, it's essential to ensure that the film is food-safe. Look for films that are specifically labeled as non-toxic and FDA-approved for food contact. Films that are food-safe are free from harmful chemicals and will not contaminate the contents they protect.

Additionally, make sure that the film is breathable if you're wrapping perishable items. Some shrink films are designed to allow for air circulation, which is crucial for maintaining the freshness of food items.

7. How Does the Film Perform Under Different Conditions?

It's important to consider how the shrink film will perform under varying conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to UV light. If your products will be exposed to extreme conditions during shipping or storage, choose a shrink film that offers the necessary protection:

Temperature Resistance: Some shrink films are better suited to withstand extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, without losing their integrity.
UV Protection: UV-resistant shrink films are ideal for products that will be exposed to sunlight, preventing the film from degrading or discoloring.
Moisture Resistance: If your products are sensitive to moisture, select shrink film that provides a high level of water resistance to protect your goods.

By understanding the environmental conditions your products will face, you can choose a shrink film that will offer the best protection.

8. What Is the Cost and Where Should I Buy the Film?

Cost is a crucial factor when buying shrink film. Prices can vary significantly depending on the type, thickness, and quantity of film. When shopping for shrink film, consider the following:

Bulk Purchasing: If you plan on using a large quantity of shrink film, purchasing in bulk may help you save money in the long run. Many suppliers offer discounts for larger orders.
Supplier Reputation: Look for reliable and experienced suppliers who can provide high-quality shrink film. Check reviews and ask for recommendations to ensure you're buying from a trusted source.
Shipping and Handling: Don’t forget to factor in shipping costs, especially if you're ordering large quantities of shrink film. Be sure to compare total costs from different suppliers.

Getting the best deal involves not just finding the lowest price, but ensuring you are purchasing high-quality film that meets your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shrink Film

Q1: Can I use shrink film without a shrink tunnel or heat gun?

A1: While it’s possible to use a heat gun or oven for small batches, using a shrink tunnel or automatic machine is recommended for faster, more consistent results, especially for larger volumes.

Q2: Can I print on shrink film?

A2: Yes, many shrink films are printable. If branding or customization is important for your products, check with the supplier to ensure the film is compatible with your printing methods.

Q3: What’s the best shrink film for retail packaging?

A3: Polyolefin (POF) is typically the best choice for retail packaging, as it offers a clear, professional finish and is versatile enough for a variety of products.

Q4: Can I use shrink film for wrapping fragile items?

A4: Yes, shrink film can be used to wrap fragile items. It provides a tight fit and can help protect items from dust, dirt, and minor impacts during transportation.

How To Reduce Costs With Shrink Wrap Packaging & Machines

Companies are always looking for ways to save money and reduce costs. Often times the dynamics of your packaging line go ignored. You may be wondering, how can you reduce costs in regards to your company's packaging dynamics and what if any, are the true benefits of such an endeavor?

Choose A Shrink Wrap Supplier

If you attend a packaging expo you will find that different shrink film brands come up many times, creating some “colorful” conversations. However, when cutting through the sales speak, one piece of important information from consumer goods companies prevails: “Shrink film is shrink film.”

That expensive film with the dandy name may actually be a quality film and it very well may beautifully package your product while keeping it protected, but most likely, there are practically identical products offered by multiple competing vendors.

When it comes to shrink wrap, often times, the average offering is as good as the most expensive...

Instead of choosing your brand of shrink film based on a snake-oil elevator pitch such as, it's 'prime-time lowest cost', I would advise you to choose your selection on the customer service experience each vendor offers rather than focusing on the prior dynamics mentioned above.

Is your vendor providing you with an experience worth the price you pay for your wrap? If you answered no, I would consider finding a supplier who does.

Learn everything you need to know with our Complete Guide To Shrink Film!

Save On Your Shrink Wrap Packaging Machine Line

Word on the street is, you have an automatic shrink wrapping machine or you are planning to purchase one on a future date. Did you know that you can nip some costs in the bud without losing an arm and a leg? You can do this by examining the following:

The Speed Of Your Shrink Wrapping Machine: Again, subtle adjustments here can result in unexpected cost savings when put under the microscope…

Current Bag Length: It may seem trivial at first, but minor adjustments to this particular dynamic of your packaging line can result in major cost savings.

In our own warehouses, our operators will adjust the bag length from the original specs to ensure the packaging machine line is running efficiently and with ease. This is most noticeable on older pneumatic shrink wrap equipment.

So why do we do this? Running your shrink wrap at just 1" larger than necessary can equate to 2,000 extra feet per day. That means you are wasting 118 extra rolls per year!

I can see you are about to lose sleep over this but don’t freak out… Keep calm and get a check on your packaging machine lines! A good starting point would be to set up a weekly check on your bag length adjustments to be sure you are optimized for maximum savings.

Decrease Your Shrink Wrap Bag Length

There are various ways to cut costs with your shrink packaging, and one of best ways to do so is to look at your bag length. Follow these steps and you can potentially save yourself up to 9.1% on your shrink film costs.

Package one of your products on your shrink wrapper
and remove it before it goes into the shrink tunnel.
Slit the film to allow you to remove the product and
lay the film flat.
Measure from one end seal to the other. This
is your bag length.
If you can reduce this, for example, from 11”-10”, you
will save 9.1% immediately!
Often you will find you are using more film per
package than required.

Get Thinner Shrink Wrap Gauges

Most of our customers have chosen to employ new film technologies to reduce the gauge of their shrink film. There are multiple advantages to implementing these changes:

Film cost savings of up to 25%
Fewer roll changes thereby reducing equipment downtime
Better scores on Walmart's Sustainability Scorecard
Reduced waste (fewer cartons and cores to discard)
Reduced packaging material inventory space. Thinner gauges yield more "film feet" per pallet

How Do I Choose The Best Shrink Wrap Machine For My Needs?

Well that is the burning question, is it not? Honestly, you need to ask yourself these serious questions before making a purchase. These questions include other important dynamics involved with shrink wrap packaging lines. Check out the items below:

What comes to mind when you consider cost?

Purchase Price? TCO: Total Cost of Ownership? Cold Hard Cash?

What is more important to you, price or performance?

In 3 to 5 years, will it still be important?

How much use will this machine be getting?

24/7 or 1-2 Times Per Week?

Are your maintenance technicians certified and capable of fixing your equipment?

Can you operate complicated machinery, or do you need basic controls?

Your capabilities decide the machinery you will need. Sometimes simplicity is more important than sophistication.

Will your machine operators be stationary or constantly moving around?

Buying decisions may be effected by these dynamics.

Is the cutting edge of technology an important dynamic for your business or would you prefer to use refurbished equipment?

Do you depend on your supplier to keep your line running at optimum pace?

Do they have available parts and maintenance plans?

When unexpected downtime occurs, how much can you really afford?

Are perishable products something you package?

You need to slow down if your supplier is not available for your emergency needs. Buying new equipment is always more than just “buying new equipment” and dynamics such as consumables, running time, size of production and cost of service and supply should all be taken into consideration.

Mulling over the questions highlighted above will allow you to better prepare your packaging processes. Optimizing your machinery in regards to consumable quality/cost, technological needs and associated costs of repairs and maintenance will save you money.

Armed with all of the information above, it would also be a good idea to write out a set of questions you have in regards to your shrink wrap and machinery needs. Be prepared to ask them when meeting with each of your potential vendor's sales reps in advance of the initial sales meeting.

This will allow you to better vet the options before you and present an educated contact from your own company to host the meeting. This will keep each of the reps on their toes and under the impression that you will not be easily swayed by well a rehearsed elevator pitch.

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