Show off your shapes with shrink sleeves
Sleeve labels continue to gain market share around the world, thanks in no small part to the advantages in offers in terms of marketing and brand identity, and these sleeves can come in different forms. From the “traditional” labeling technologies such as pressure sensitive and traditional glue-applied labels, known as stretch sleeves, to shrink sleeve labels, which are printed on a flexible film that reduces in size through the application of heat conforming the label to the shape of the product’s container.
Shrink sleeves, shrink costs, shrink your environmental impact
Shrink sleeve labels boast several advantages – primarily the ability to achieve complex shapes, integrate tamper evident seals, reduce your environmental impact & increase efficiency.
Whereas stretch sleeve can only deform at 20% to mold to the products shape, shrink sleeve can reach 80%. With heat shrink, labels adapt to contours and curves enabling smooth & sleek finishes.
What’s more, with shrink labeling, you can cover the whole body from top to bottom – which is an absolute boon for branding. Think of what that extra space could mean for your brand manager’s opportunity to connect with consumers. This is an especially important consideration for the food and pharmaceuticals industries who need to conform to labeling regulations – having more room to play with can be a real game changer. Shrink sleeve packaging also facilitates bright color printing.
The potential for eye-catching design through shrink sleeves is enormous, but the advantages go beyond simple aesthetics.
Shrink sleeving can guarantee the integrity of products by integrating protective tamper-evident seals. Thanks to the versatility that the sleeve can easily extend over the neck of the container or be attached to caps. The film can be very thick, up to 18 microns, offering assured quality and security.
This multi-functional use for the sleeve of label & seal can make it the most economical solution, both in terms of cost and time due to shorter production times.
Some people may be surprised to hear that shrink sleeves can also be the green choice. The film is usually made of biodegradable, environmentally friendly materials. What’s more, there’s no need for glue, so the material is clean and ready to be recycled.
The result: practically packaged products that look great from top-to-bottom.
Considering making the move to shrink sleeves?
Our R-ultimate range of shrink sleeve applicator machines may well have exactly what you’re looking for, with applicators that run from 60 to 600 CPM with servo-driven micro-perforation cut.
When it comes to sleeving a non-symmetrical container at high speed, you need to be confident in the precision & efficiency of your machines. The R-Ultimate is a flexible shrink sleeve applicator which offers just that.
With the R-Ultimate, the process is simple. Firstly, the products are separated using a timing screw, with brush less drivers which result in smooth sleeves. Next, a micro-perforation is set between each sleeve at a precise perforation location, ensuring homogeneous results.
The R-Ultimate is really set apart thanks to the unique PDC mandrel design. Finally, the sleeve is opened using a mandrel which has the footprint of your container thus ensuring better orientation & easier shrinkage which reduces sleeve LFW (Lay Flat Width). The horizontal perforation breaks when the sleeve is shot onto the container while it is moving on the conveyor.
The R-Ultimate’s mechanical perforator means it is a flexible choice that can adapt to any changes you may make, as its compatible with thin materials & all LFWs. The machine is designed for the long-term: each sub assembly is designed to give full access to all moving parts allowing an easy maintenance, and the blades last for years rather than just months.
The R-ultimate is cost-effective solution; there are no costly rotary cutters and there is a low tooling cost. It can be combined with a number of extra options if you need them, including stainless steel frame and covers, a Sure reject unit, Vector conveyors & accumulation tables, dual reel support with tubing accumulator allowing a nonstop reel changeover, a camera, UV or detection other solution and can even include a maintenance contract.
As far as low-cost, easy-to-use, long-term shrink sleeve applicators go, the R-Ultimate will be sure to get you results & give your products the packaging that they deserve.
Contact us sales@pdceurope.com to see how our team can help you shrink sleeves, shrink costs and shrink your environmental impact.
