Shrink wrapping products is a great way to keep items protected, as well as keep pallets loads sturdy. To shrink wrap properly it’s important to put time and thought toward preparation. Failure to do so can result in errors, wasted time and end up being extremely wasteful. Read on to find out the steps you should take before wrapping any product.
Clean & Dry
It should go without saying, but before shrink wrapping any products, you should make sure they’re clean. One of the great things about shrink wrap is using it to keep items protected from dirt, so make sure they’re clean before you begin! You should also make sure that the products are dry. Goods that are wrapped wet or damp can trap moisture, which ultimately can damage products and can also produce unpleasant odours once unwrapped.
Pallets: Pack Smart
Another one of the great qualities of shrink wrap is its ability to wrap around all sorts of shapes and sizes. However, make sure you stack goods on pallets optimally, in order to make wrapping easier. Spending more time organising goods on a pallet will undoubtedly save time when you come to shrink wrapping and doing so will help limit waste.
Standardise Application Method
Another preparation step you’ll want to take is establishing a standard method of how you wrap goods. This is most important when wrapping items that are consistent in shape and size. Doing so will not only save time but also helps towards reducing waste.
Pre-made Bags or Flat Rolls of Film?
This will ultimately depend on the size of the product that you’re wrapping. Pre-made bags are most suitable for smaller to medium items, whereas flat rolls of film suit larger goods, as well as pallets. Pre-made bags are great as the application is much more straightforward and they are arguably less involved compared to using rolls of film. However, due to their size being pre-determined they may not be suitable when dealing with goods that vary drastically in size.
Working Space
Operating within a suitable space is essential when shrink wrapping goods, particularly pallets. Applying shrink wrap by hand, working on a large pallet load and operating within too small an area can result in a poorly wrapped product, due to the difficulty of getting around. Determine an appropriate space to work within before wrapping any goods, to reduce waste and ensure you can do the job well.
Consider Shrink Wrap Machinery
While the initial investment of shrink wrapping machinery may be considerable, the amount of reduced waste and the time and money saved in the long run due to a more efficient process is sure to outweigh the upfront cost. There are numerous types of shrink wrapping machinery to accommodate a wide range of businesses and their needs. You’d probably be surprised by the never-ending uses of shrink wrap, most of which can be enhanced by our specialised machines!
Taking all of these steps before shrink wrapping any item will help to ensure that products look great and have an effective protective barrier. Not only that, it will help you save time and decrease waste, ultimately reducing costs! If you would like to discover more ways to lessen waste, then read our five ways to reduce excess packaging.
Here at Kempner we specialise in shrink wrap and shrink wrap machinery, so if you would like help understanding what shrink wrap is best for your business, or want to explore the option of shrink wrap machinery, then give us a call on 020 8952 5262.
