--- title: "Lap-Sealers VS Side-Sealers: Which Is The Better Choice?" description: Lap Seal and Side Seal Shrink Wrapping equipment each have their pros and cons. Check out our mini-deep dive to find out which is better fit for you. image: https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/lap-side-sealer-header.jpg --- ** ** [ Talk to an expert ](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/contact-us) - Categories ** - ** [Subscribe](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog-subscribe) [«  View All Posts](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/resources) ![Lap-Sealers VS Side-Sealers: Which Is The Better Choice?](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/lap-side-sealer-header.jpg) ![Blog Feature](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/298890/blog-files/blog--cards-feature.png) [Subscribe](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog-subscribe) ![David Roberge](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/Davids%20Headshot%202025%20IP%20-%20Dark%20Blue.jpg "David Roberge") By: [David Roberge](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/author/david-roberge) on March 25th, 2016 ** Print/Save as PDF # Lap-Sealers VS Side-Sealers: Which Is The Better Choice? [Equipment](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/topic/equipment) | [Investment](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/topic/investment) - Share: - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/lap-seal-or-side-seal) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Lap-Sealers+VS+Side-Sealers%3A+Which+Is+The+Better+Choice%3F&url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/lap-seal-or-side-seal&via=) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/lap-seal-or-side-seal&title=Lap-Sealers+VS+Side-Sealers%3A+Which+Is+The+Better+Choice%3F&summary=Lap+Seal+and+Side+Seal+Shrink+Wrapping+equipment+each+have+their+pros+and+cons.+Check+out+our+mini-deep+dive+to+find+out+which+is++better+fit+for+you.) - [**](mailto:?body=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/lap-seal-or-side-seal) As you move to automate your shrink packaging line, be aware of the options available with respect to the type of sealing systems to choose from. ## **LAP SEAL vs. SIDE SEAL MACHINES**   **This is basically a material consumption vs. flexibility decision.** ### **Lap Sealers**   **![EXTREME-LAP-SEAL](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Equipment/EXTREME-LAP-SEAL.jpg?width=320&name=EXTREME-LAP-SEAL.jpg)**   - Lap Seal Machines are scrapless systems - Offer significant savings in film usage, [reducing material cost](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/reducing-packaging-material) for every product that you wrap - This savings can range from 10% to 30% - [Environmentally friendly](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/flexible-films-sustainability) (no scrap) - Important for your sustainability program - Eliminate the need to collect and dispose of the scrap - Require special tooling for each product  (a film forming plow) - This is an expense - Use singlewound [shrink film](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/the-characteristics-of-shrink-film), rather than centerfolded film - Requires longer lead time and potentially higher inventory - Require a specific film width for each set of tooling   --- Need Help Choosing The Right Sealer? [![Show Me The Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/386184/d2ceeabe-9f60-452a-a4b0-7e719213d560.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/386184/d2ceeabe-9f60-452a-a4b0-7e719213d560) ---   ### **Side Sealers**   **![Automatic-Side-Sealer](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Equipment/Automatic-Side-Sealer.jpg?width=320&name=Automatic-Side-Sealer.jpg)**   - Allow for easy [product changeovers](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/packaging-line-change-overs) - Don’t require product specific change parts - Generate scrap, which you pay for and must dispose of - Allows flexibility of shrink film selection. - You can substitute a wider than necessary film width if you are in a jam, but you will generate extra scrap and extra cost.   If you produce many SKU’s, [need lots of flexibility](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/production-flexibility), have lots of short runs, a side sealer might be for you.  If you have sustained runs of specific products, a lap sealer could save you a lot of money   No matter what you are choosing when making an equipment purchase, its always best to have a knowledgeable Equipment Specialist on your side. [Talk to our Packaging Professionals](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/contact-us?hsCtaTracking=1130021d-6b2f-46b4-8244-7a574950d604%7C776f05e4-a562-46aa-bc1e-221461167c48) to find the optimal equipment for your needs.   [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/386184/c0ad6053-25dc-4087-a35e-b475e02cdd7b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/386184/c0ad6053-25dc-4087-a35e-b475e02cdd7b)     ### About David Roberge I help CPG brands find the right contract packaging partner through content that answers real questions. I get to do that alongside a team whose values actually match mine: respect, teamwork, and always getting better. I also appreciate the psychology behind decision-making. Outside of work you'll find me hiking with my partner and dog, learning German and Spanish, pulling tarot cards. - **Connect with David Roberge** - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidroberge) - [**](mailto:david.roberge@industrialpackaging.com) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/lap-seal-or-side-seal) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Lap-Sealers+VS+Side-Sealers%3A+Which+Is+The+Better+Choice%3F&url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/lap-seal-or-side-seal&via=) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/lap-seal-or-side-seal&title=Lap-Sealers+VS+Side-Sealers%3A+Which+Is+The+Better+Choice%3F&summary=Lap+Seal+and+Side+Seal+Shrink+Wrapping+equipment+each+have+their+pros+and+cons.+Check+out+our+mini-deep+dive+to+find+out+which+is++better+fit+for+you.) - [**](mailto:?body=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/lap-seal-or-side-seal) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "David Roberge", "url" : "https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/author/david-roberge" }, "dateModified" : "2020-02-06T20:32:42.918Z", "datePublished" : "2016-03-25T12:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Lap-Sealers VS Side-Sealers: Which Is The Better Choice?", "image" : [ "https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/lap-side-sealer-header.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/lap-seal-or-side-seal", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/INDUSTRIAL%20PACKAGING%20LOGO%202016.png" }, "name" : "Industrial Packaging" } } ```