Many might be familiar with shrink film. However, not all have come across printed shrink film. Although shrink film is a great material for packaging products, packaging film with added print upgrades everything.This article will compare and contrast printed and non-printed shrink film and share the advantages, disadvantages, and applications of printed shrink film.

What Is Printed Shrink Film?

• There are two types of printed shrink film: polyolefin shrink film and polyethylene shrink film. The former is thicker than the latter. Polyolefin shrink film is more popular with distributors and produces a tighter shrink on the products it is used to package.

• Printed shrink film is similar to a non-printed film. In contrast to regular shrink film, printed films are attractive and can bring imagery directly to the packaging. Printed polyolefin shrink film removes the need for labels and spices up packaging with nice graphics. 

• Printed shrink film is a significant option and many high-volume businesses use it. Printed shrink film is unsuitable for low-volume applications and requires a minimum order quantity (MOQ). Fifty-thousand (50,000) impressions are needed as the minimum order for printed shrink film. An impression is defined as the film's length to wrap one bundle.

Advantages of Printed Shrink Film

• Shelf Appeal. Printed shrink film can highly attract clients because it can be printed with high-quality graphics with full color and imagery. Consumers are highly attracted to printed shrink film compared with non-printed shrink film. In addition, printed shrink film surpasses paperboard boxes in regards to carbon footprint, shipping cost, and visibility.  

• Printed shrink film allows a longer period of time for graphics integrity as it makes products stand out from their competition. Its beauty, strength, and durability make it a priority choice for various companies compared with non-printed shrink film and other packaging alternatives.

• Products gain better brand awareness and better marketing strategies due to the bold and vivid color combinations that printed shrink films provide. Consumers are highly attracted to products of companies that utilize printed shrink film compared to products that do not use printed shrink film.

• Printed shrink film is suitable for preventing individual UPCs while showcasing printed content on all sides of a multipack. There are numerous multipacks that can remove more expensive and less environmentally-friendly options that including paperboard boxes, multipacks of condiments, tissue boxes, pasta, rice, and other similar boxes are items that require these features. In addition, printed shrink film allows easy sanitization of multipacks of various products without the use of trays in various setups.

Disadvantages of Printed Shrink Film

Cost

If there are advantages, there are also some disadvantages to the use of printed shrink film. Printed shrink film is costlier compared to clear shrink film. Despite the costs, the disadvantages are offset by the advantages. Because it is a premium product, most sellers that sell printed shrink film require minimum order quantities.  

There are some companies that find the cost of these bulk orders to be overly expensive. However, printed shrink film assists in labor reduction and the need for labels. In the long run, the use of printed shrink film is cost-effective for the specific packaging line.

Set-Up

Printed shrink film requires an initial setup and cost with printed shrink film as printing plates are needed for each design. This is also evident with labels.  

Considering these, printed shrink film can be best applied for companies who use packaging for large product volumes. Those that have less applications could opt for clear and non-printed shrink films. If this is the case, manufacturers need to utilize printed labels for the graphics and information.

Requires Equipment

Other disadvantages include the use of additional equipment that is utilized for date coding on certain applications. Printed shrink film needs print registration unit equipment. Moreover, if the equipment lacks a print registration unit or cannot be retrofitted, it needs another added equipment. 

Nonrecyclable

Printed shrink film is nonrecyclable. Thus, if a manufacturer wants a recyclable material, one could opt for a biodegradable shrink film or a clear plastic shrink film.

Conclusion

Printed shrink film has both advantages and disadvantages. Its advantages include high visibility, greater shelf appeal, printing on all sides, blocking out individual UPCs, multipack unitization, lightweight, reduced waste, maintaining graphic integrity, and differentiation in the marketplace. Its disadvantages include an upgrade or replacement of machinery, restrictions on the minimum order of quantity, and not recyclable.

Printed shrink film is best for companies who have enough budget and the right equipment. The high cost of implementation is a factor that companies need to consider. However, the usefulness of printed shrink film can often offset the disadvantages of printed shrink film.

Zhongcheng has been manufacturing shrink films for a number of years already. It has become a leader in the manufacturing industry. Its manufacturing processes follow international standard protocols. Our staff are highly trained in the intricacies of producing printed shrink films. If you have any queries regarding your business needs in shrink films, do not hesitate to contact us.

Zhongcheng produces films for all kinds of food and non-food applications. We supply printed packaging films to manufacturers, packers, and converters. Our motto is to serve everyone with the best of our products and services. We assure you that our products are excellent before leaving our premises.