A closer look at the application

In today’s packaging landscape, how a product is packaged matters just as much as what it’s packaged in. The application process directly affects key areas like speed, cost, flexibility, and operational efficiency especially when working with diverse product shapes or high-volume output.

So how do bands and shrink-wrap compare in this regard? The both offer similar outcomes, bundled and secured products, but the tangible impact and benefits differ because of the application process. Let's further look into the differences.

Where the difference begins:

Shrinkwrap: A multi-step process

Shrinkwrap is primarily used to bundle or secure products, but achieving that result requires a multi-step, resource-heavy process:

• The product is placed on a conveyor or workstation.
• Plastic film is manually or mechanically wrapped around the product.
• The wrapped product moves through a heat tunnel or heat is applied manually to shrink the film tightly around it.
• The product must then cool to allow the film to set before continuing down the packaging line.

Banding: An optimized process

Banding, by contrast, offers a streamlined and highly efficient application process:

• Products are placed in the banding arch—manually or via conveyor.
• A band (paper or film) is wrapped and sealed around the product in one smooth step.
• The banded product exits the arch manually or automatically and is ready for the next stage.

During the process of banding no heating or cooling is required the products are packaged and bundled in one go.

Efficiency in motion: Why simpler wins

The streamlined application process makes banding less labor-intensive, faster, and more energy-efficient than shrink-wrap. And in a world where packaging operations need to be scalable, flexible, and cost-conscious, these advantages add up fast.

With banding, businesses can:

• Speed up production without sacrificing quality
• Reduce energy use and associated costs
• Minimize human error and touchpoints
• Integrate branding, labeling, and sealing in one step

Shrink-wrap, while still widely used, is being increasingly scrutinized for its plastic use, energy demands, and inefficient workflow.

A smarter wrap for a smarter future

The way a packaging solution is applied matters. It shapes every aspect of a packaging process from labor requirements, to energy use, and even packaging speeds. In a world like today where efficiency is critical for business in several aspects, a packaging solution that offers less hurdles ultimately becomes the easier option.