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When it comes to shrink wrapping your products, there are some things you should be aware of today. The types of problems you could experience with shrink wrap should be discussed, so you're aware of how the final products look to the customers buying them. This short article discusses the different types of shrink wrap problems that are common as well as the many ways you can resolve them. Our goal is to present you with the information needed to choose better packaging options for your company immediately.

Shrink Wrap Problems That You Might Experience

Some of the most common shrink wrap problems are listed below for you to review. You may have experienced one or all of the issues while shrink-wrapping your products. Even if you haven't had issues with shrink wrap in the past, you may experience them in the future. Let this article help you feel prepared for the scenario in every way that you can.

Problematic shrink wrap issues include Dog Ears, Crow's Feet, Fish Eyes, and Angel Hair. We will discuss each in detail below, so you understand why they're an issue. Avoiding any type of unfavorable shrink wrapping issue is imperative because it gives your customers a better first impression of your company and its products overall.

Dog Ears

Appearances are everything when it comes to packaging, and the common shrink wrap issue known as 'Dog Ears' prevents perfection. When the film protrudes at the edges of the packaging, it starts to look like a dog's ears. The issue occurs because the film doesn't shrink as tightly as it should. The problem is often due to improper heating of the shrink wrap at the time of packaging a product.

Triangular-shaped, ear-like protrusions can be due in part to a low-temperature shrink gun or shrink tunnel. Determining the ideal temp for the product without damaging it is key. If the gun is too hot or too cold, you won't be able to achieve crisp, shrink-wrapped plastic items.

Once that issue has been ruled out, the size of the shrink-wrap film is next. If it's too wide, it can cause dog ears to appear. Custom packaging eliminates the need to measure every product repeatedly to discover the cause of a problem. Reducing the width of the film used can make a complete difference in how well the item looks under the shrink wrap.

Low-quality films also contribute to problems with dog ears. Investing in quality films makes all the difference. The film shrinks more tightly, preventing the triangular-shaped protrusions from being noticeable. Although the cost for the film is somewhat higher, it eliminates the waste that's caused when shrink wrap problems occur.

The size of the packages can also cause 'Dog Ears'. Abnormal corners or irregular-shaped packaging are harder to wrap. It's not uncommon for you to have issues when sealing the film. The case for custom packaging has never been stronger than it is when dog ears are present.

Crow's Feet

Crow's feet occur when the shrink wrap wrinkles in lines from the corners of the packaging. When the film is too large for the item being wrapped, this issue occurs. You can opt to go with a smaller piece of shrink wrap to avoid wrinkling. If a custom size of the film isn't available, you can count on 'Crow's Feet' being an issue for your packages for a long time.

Not enough heat across the surface of the film is very problematic. If you're shrink wrapping the product manually with a heat gun, you can resolve the issue by running the heat across the packaging an additional time. It's very easy to get rid of wrinkles in the packaging by evenly distributing the heat over the surface of the film until they're gone.

'Crow's Feet' can cause the shrink wrap to tear easily. It doesn't protect the products inside the film well because the wrinkles weaken the material. You'll notice that items get dirty or damaged during transport. If you have an abnormal amount of wrinkling in the shrink-wrapped items, you'll need to remove the film and start all over again, causing more work and cost for you.

Fish Eyes

Round or oval patterns that appear on shrink-wrapped products are referred to as 'Fish Eyes.' This common shrink wrapping issue is very problematic. It does not give off the professional appearance that companies want for their products. It takes place when the temperature isn't high enough on the heating element to properly shrink the film tightly.

Air velocity and perforations can contribute to the issue. Ensuring that neither is a problem eliminates 'Fish Eyes'. By slowing down the conveyor, you can get a more even wrap around the products that you create. It's a matter of managing your production line more carefully.

Angel Hair

When pieces of plastic film stretch and create thin strands across the shrink wrap, it's known as 'Angel Hair.' It can be resolved by raising the temperature on the sealing wire or sealing bar. That way the film melts evenly and doesn't cause an ugly defect to the packaging. Being mindful of all of the settings on the shrink wrapping machinery is essential because it allows for a cleaner presentation of your products overall.

The clamp pressure and conveyor speed can also contribute to the appearance of 'Angel Hair.' By ensuring that the clamp is properly set, you avoid the film from being cut incorrectly and causing a problem in the shrink wrap's look. If the conveyor speed is too fast, the sealer opens prematurely and makes the film seal incorrectly. The stringy mess that transfers to the shrink wrap product can be avoided by being diligent about setting the machines correctly.

Ballooning Shrink Wrap

When the air gets trapped in the shrink wrap while the film is heated, it can cause the packaging to balloon. Picture the bloated bags of produce you see at the grocery store. Not only is it off-putting, but it doesn't protect the product inside the film well. It has room to move around and become damaged.

Ventilation holes in a specific type of film prevent this problem from occurring. The pre-perforated shrink wrap eliminates the chance of the film ballooning. That means a tighter fit around the objects. It makes it much easier to make items look presentation-ready at the time of packaging.

Work with a Custom Packaging Company to Overcome Shrink Wrap Issues

As you can see, there are many issues that occur with shrink wrapping items for sale. You can avoid the most common predicaments by investing in a different type of packaging for your products. By carefully weighing the pros and cons of working with a packaging company like ours to fulfill your needs, you're able to explore other options that provide your customers with a favorable opinion about the packaging processes of your business.

Despite their comical names, shrink wrapping issues are anything but funny. They make it incredibly difficult to present a professionally packaged product to the public. That's why they should be addressed just as soon as they're discovered. The longer a shrink wrapping issue takes place, the more product you're likely to discount or discard.

Reducing waste and maintaining a professional image is imperative to any business that packages its products. You can keep your products safe from damage and prevent negative images that come up as a result of shrink wrap issues. The smoother the film encasing an object, the better received the product is by the public. Being able to maintain a professional appearance in the eyes of your customers is one of the many benefits of working with a company like ours to pinpoint your custom packaging needs.

Mid-Atlantic Packaging Offers the Best Solutions to Your Packaging Needs

Get acustom packaging quote from us today. Resolving the most common shrink wrap problems businesses experience is easy with the right company by your side. Let us be part of your packaging journey. We make presenting your products to your customers in custom packages easy.

Discussing your options with you is part of the inquiry process. We want you to feel comfortable getting to know us and how we can serve you best. Reaching out to us with any questions that you have about our products and services is something we highly recommend. Without our assistance, you'll never know how convenient it is to create custom packaging that's better than the shrink wrap you're currently using for your products.