If you want to create a beautiful, colourful packaging design which fits perfectly around your product, then heat shrink sleeve labels are your perfect solution.

 

Combining an attention-grabbing label with a tamper proof seal for safety, shrink sleeve labels provide an affordable and effective alternative to traditional labelling practices. A shrink sleeve label is a durable sleeve that is placed over the product and heated to shrink to the shape and size of the product, creating a seamless cover.

 

The packaging designs can be tailored for individual products and to show not only important information but also reflect the culture of the brand itself. As per Wikipedia: “Shrink wrap, also shrink film, is a material made up of polymer plastic film. When heat is applied, it shrinks tightly over whatever it is covering”

 

What are the benefits of heat shrink sleeve packaging in 2025?

 

There are many benefits to using shrink sleeve labels, and they can serve more than one purpose.

• Flexible labels
• Unlimited design options
• Multipurpose
• Can provide safety seal
• Create multi-packs to sell 2 similar products together
• Durable and won’t scratch easily
• Increased useable branding space
• Can be used on many materials and shapes

 

Any consumable product is required to have a safety seal to keep it protected during shipping and during the sales process. In the same way that any product that is purchased and does not have the safety seal intact should not be consumed. Using a shrink sleeve label rather than other forms of printing on the product allows for a dual purpose and flexibility in packaging by creating a safety seal for the product.

 

When creating designs for the shrink labels there is a full coverage of the space, no matter the shape or size of the container. Almost any design can be printed on the sleeve and it will surround the entire container, adjusting to the shape of the product and fitting well around it. They can also be used to multipack products in sets, and attach smaller samples or others to the original product. The ability to package multi items together and to offer samples of new or partner products can improve brand reputation and offer added value to customers.

 

In addition to these benefits, the material is a durable plastic that is used to create the sleeves is protective and scratch resistant. When used on products that will be stored in differing temperatures, may be scuffed during shipping, or have other risks, using a shrink label will add an extra layer of protection and will not lose the branding or designs during shipping or sale.

 

Printing directly onto can or plastic containers they ink and images can becomes scratched during shipping or stocking, and this makes them less attractive and appealing once they are displayed for purchase. Items that are packaged in this plastic bags or similar can become scratched and even torn or ripped during packaging and shipping, allowing for an extra layer of protection with a shrink sleeve label can help to keep the packages of products together and protect the inner packaging and labels from damage.

 

 

How Shrink Labels Are Made

 

To make the labels the material is first made into long rolls of tube-like sleeves. They can be created to fit almost any size, and are suitable for any shape. When using the shrink label to multipack items or to keep items together into one large package the items do not need to be the same size for it to work successfully due to the shrinking process.

 

Printed onto a material that is created with either a polyester or a flexible plastic, it creates a thin film with the printing on the inside of the sleeve. By printing onto what will become the inside of the sleeved the design, branding, and all other printing is protected through the shipping and purchasing processes. As the ink is on the inside it will not be scratched off if they are bumped together or rub against other surfaces.

 

Once printed the material is sealed on each side so it is a tube, or sleeve, that can be placed over the product and remain open on both the top and the bottom. They are then cut to the needed height for the product that is being wrapped, so it will be covered fully from the top to the bottom and all the way around. Heat is applied, either through a heat tunnel or with steam providing the heat, and the label will shrink to fit the container.  

 

Considerations and Limitations

 

The main drawback to the process is that it will shrink in a way to fit each curve and bump on the packaging container. This can cause alterations in the appearance of images, so the designs must be made and printed in a way that compensates for the shape and will create the desired image after it has been heated. This is a huge consideration and is why you should choose a company that has a lot of experience in the effects of the shrinking process. Graham Hepburn is an expert in this design process.

 

Other considerations are the investment in the machinery to complete the label application and shrinking or sourcing the process to another company. When looking for a source for labels consider how much of the process they complete on their site. Some companies will only print, while others will print and seal them into sleeves, and still others will print, process them into sleeves, and apply them, completing the entire process in one location.

 

Top Uses of Shrink Sleeve Labels

 

The shrink labels and shrink sleeves for bottles are well suited to many purposes and products, including beverages, items that will be cooled during shipping and may gather condensation, and to multipack items together. They are suitable for items that will be stored in refrigerators, freezers, and at room temperature, and once they have been applied to the product they will not change size again. They will protect the branding and information on the label so are well suited to an that may be scratched or damaged in shipping to protect the wording and images, and they are able to cover a product completely, including the lid, creating a one piece label and tamper resistant seal.

 

 

Qualipak Johannesburg operates both radiant heat and steam tunnels, allowing it to ensure the best quality shrink every time. It also uses automatic self-adhesive label machines for single or front and back labels as well as caters for manual label application where necessary.

 

Graham Hepburn’s experience includes developing expertise in packaging, specifically where sleeves are concerned, and sales and key account management. He has a passion for excellence and an eye for quality. Over the years, Hepburn has secured projects with some of the top FMCG businesses in South Africa, which have become loyal clients. Many of these include Unilever, Clover, Kelloggs, Nativa, USN and more.

 

If you’re looking for more information, send us a message today and let’s get the best shrink sleeve packaging on your products.