Shrink Wrap Key Terms

Get familiar with some basic terms for using shrink wrap

The plastic sheeting that many call shrink wrap is practically a household item for many businesses that have traditional inventories. Whether it's for use in retail, for storage in a physical plant site or for other industrial uses, shrink wrap provides a handy agent for sealing and protecting goods from their environments and also for organizing palleted goods. Knowing some of the fundamental terms for shrink wrap use will help businesses set up efficient, effective shrink wrap systems on-site.

 

Gauge or strength

The "gauge" of shrink wrap determines its strength. Shrink wrap is available in many different gauges and materials.
Try: For more details, read up onthe different types and gauges of shrink wrap materials at National Shrink Wrap.

Angel hair and dog ears

These terms might not be what some would think of to describe shrink wrap, but they represent some industry standards for describing conditions of wrap and wrapped objects. Angel hair is a term for loose ends on wrap and dog ears are triangles of film sticking out from corners.
Try: Find out about these and other shrink wrap terms at Shrink Wrap 101's Shrink Wrap Glossary.

Sleeve wrapping

This wrapping, sealing and cutting process produces neatly wrapped objects that get a lot of protection from the elements.
Try: For more on sleeve wrapping, go to Eastey's Buying Guide. Scroll down to the Buying Guide section to find a detailed explanation of sleeve wrapping and its benefits as well as more on equipment and applications.

Shrink wrap heat guns

These handy heating devices look similar to blow dryers. In fact, in a low-rent situation, a business owner has been known to simply use blow dryers for the job of heating shrink wrap, which shrinks and seals upon heating.
Try: Find details and visuals on the shrink wrap heating gun as well as a range of other shrink wrap equipment at OfficeZone.

Abatement

One big use of shrink wrap beyond retail or merchandising is in the abatement of various hazardous substances, from lead to asbestos. Shrink wrap is used to "seal" off areas containing these volatile elements.
Try: Read about shrink wrap containment solutions at Performance Contracting Group.

Cryovac

Cryovac is a top shrink wrap maker that has rolled out some impressive products for wrapping merchandise and other materials.
Try: Get detailed descriptions of some top Cryovac products and their properties at Get Packed.

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