Based on the question above, it would appear that you are looking for an alternative to shrink film. If I had to guess, I bet you have been using shrink film to package some of your products. But, you are currently looking to package heavier items and multi-packs.
Perhaps you are packaging beverages in glass bottles, and you are looking to unitize them. Or, maybe you are looking to package multi-packs of canned foods.
Regardless of the products and applications, you have come to understand that standard shrink films are simply not strong enough for your packaging requirements.
It would help if you had something with higher tensile strength and puncture resistance. After reading up on alternatives to traditional shrink film, you came across the term "bundling film".
And, while you have a basic idea of what this material is, you want to get a deeper understanding of the film and it's applications. You want to figure out if it is the proper packaging solution for your products.
With over sixty years in the packaging industry, Industrial Packaging is no stranger to flexible packaging films. And, we know which films and applications are appropriate for each other.
This article will explain what bundling film is and provide insight into the proper uses and applications for this type of flexible packaging film.
With the information in this article, you will be able to decide if bundling film is the right packaging solution for your product packaging needs.
What Is Bundling Film?
Bundling film is a thicker type of shrink film made of single or multiple layers of plastic. Bundling film is primarily utilized for packaging heavier products. It is perfect for making multi-packs that demand a higher strength material than traditional shrink film.
Like regular shrink film, bundling film is applied using a sealer before sending the product into a heat tunnel where the film is shrunk uniformly around the product.
Unlike regular shrink film, bundling film shrinks as it cools down after leaving the heat tunnel rather than while it is moving through the tunnel.
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What Is Bundling Film Used For?
As mentioned above, bundling film is used primarily for the creation of multi-packs of heavier products. But, what exactly is a multi-pack? Well, I am glad you asked!
A multi-pack is a package housing a selection of identical consumer goods. These products are being bought in bulk, and they feature a lower price tag than when bought as individual items.
Multi-packs are extremely popular with consumers for several reasons. First, it is much easier to buy and carry a multi-pack than to purchase multiple single products of the same item.
Furthermore, the cost savings produced by the purchase of multi-packs entices the consumer to choose them over the purchase of single products. So, multi-packs can help your business sell more products.
Multi-packs can be branded with eye-catching graphics and branding content that further draws consumers to choose these items.
Finally, bundling film is typically used to make bulls-eye packages. Wait, what is bulls-eye packaging?
With bulls eye-packaging, two sides of the multi-pack feature a round hole that resembles a bulls-eye. This is where the name of the packaging comes from.
In addition to using less film than full enclosure* packaging (thus resulting in a lower cost), the bulls-eyes also act as handles for consumers. This allows for easier transportation of the multi-pack.
*Full enclosure packaging (as the name suggests) fully contains the items packaged inside the film. This type of packaging is utilized to prevent contamination. For example, when packaging particular food or medical supplies, full enclosures are most commonly employed.
Who Uses Bundling Film?
Bundling film is most commonly used by the same type of companies using traditional shrink films. These include manufacturers of beverages, canned goods, cleaning chemicals, and various other consumer products, which can be purchased in bulk for a reduced cost.
For example, if you buy canned cat food at your local supermarket, you will notice that you generally have two options.
You can buy single cans of the food your felines prefer, or you can purchase multi-packs of the same products. Due to the weight of the metal containers in which these products are packaged, bundling films are used for this application rather than traditional shrink films.
Is Bundling Film Right For Your Products?
To figure out if bundling films are the appropriate kind of flexible packaging film for your needs, you will need to answer a few questions.
- Are your products too heavy to package in traditional shrink film? - If your products have heavier rigid containers in their multi-packs and you have found that regular shrink film is not able to properly contain them, you will want to use bundling film.
- Do you require higher puncture resistance for your products? - If your products have pointed corners on their multi-packs, they may puncture traditional shrink film causing a sloppy looking package and sub-par containment of your products. If that is the case, you will want to use bundling film.
- Is your brand looking to stop using plastic packaging? - If you answered yes, then bundling films are not for you.
Which Type Of Flexible Film Is Right For You?
If you would like to learn more about the various kinds of flexible packaging films currently available today, you will want to read our Complete Guide to Shrink Film.
This free guide is packed with all the information you need to figure out which type of flexible film is most appropriate for packaging your products. Once you have completed reading this guide, you will have everything necessary to purchase the best packaging films for your packaging line.
