Overwrapping and Shrink Wrapping: Pros and Cons

Film Wrapping – A Versatile Packaging

Film wrapping is one of the secondary-packaging processes which is versatile and can enhance the visual appearance, duration of conservation of the product, the status of hygiene and clearance… for which features it is widely used on foods for its perishable feature, and cosmetics and luxuries products for their needs to give superior visual appeal.

Among the packaging styles of film wrapping, there are two highlighted kinds of film wrapping packaging which are Overwrapping (Overwrap Packaging) and Shrink Wrapping, and sometimes they can be confusing for people to decide which one to turn to.

In this article, we are going to discuss talk about the features of both of them, as well as the difference, pros, and cons of Overwrapping and Shrink Wrapping

Definition of Overwrapping Packaging and Shrink Wrapping

What is Overwrap Packaging?

Overwrap packaging, known also as cellophane overwrapping, is only feasible for products with flat sides, or say, those that come in cubic or cuboid shapes.

A piece of film is to be wrapped over the product and the fringes and leftover parts are folded and sealed on the two end sides of the product thus forming a diamond-like sealing style which is also called Tuck and Fold Seals (also known as cigarette-style seals).

But in some other cases, companies, for example, such as Tecma Aries, may also refer to overwrap packaging as some kind of packaging where containers such as bottles, cups, soft drinks, and ready meals are wrapped by a piece of cardboard sleeve with bottom gluing.

Shrink-wrapping, on the other hand, is not restricted to cubic or cuboid shapes items or is ideal for both food and non-food products regardless of their size, style, and shape…

Shrink wrapping is a process in which a product goes through a tunnel that is covered over by a plastic film bag. The film is then heated to shrink tightly around and product and then an L-shaped sealing line is formed by which the film wrapping packaging can be torn.

Do you know that shrink wrapping will be outdated? Find out why people are stopping using shrink wrapping.

Benefits and Disadvantages of Overwrapping and Shrink Wrapping

Both overwrapping and shrink-wrapping offer some advantages in terms of manufacturing.

The advantageous features of overwrapping packaging are as follows：

• Promotional Features and Attractiveness:
  Overwrapping packaging principally focuses on giving the product a sense of luxury and superiority. A decent and sleek packaging look is created with the diamond-like seal style / cigarette-style seal formed and the product looks in a neat and high-quality finish. Such a feature makes overwrapping an ideal packaging for cosmetics.
• Versatility: 
  Overwrapping packaging is not only restricted to secondary packaging but also primary packaging such as that for soap. Whatsmore, it is also applicable for multipack overwrapping in order to bundle several products together.
• Containment-Proof:
  Overwrapping keeps the content from dirt for exterior context.
• Temper-proof: Film overwrapping serves as tamper-proof packaging to show that the products have not been torn with.

The advantages of shrink-wrapping are listed below:

• Wide application:
  In contrast with overwrapping packaging which can only be used for cubic or cuboid items, shrink wrapping can be applied for products of miscellaneous shapes and styles. Shrink wrapping can be also used for larger size objects. It is not restricted to carton boxes but is also available for even bottles and cans. What’s more, shrink wrapping is used for multipack packaging in the food and beverage industry due to its flexibility. A variety of shrink wrapping is the shrink sleeve which is widely present in the drinks and beverage industry.
• Protection:
  While the main purpose of overwrapping packaging is to give a sense of luxury, shrink wrapping attaches more importance to protecting the object from dirt during storage and transportation.

Thinking about only the advantages of overwrapping and shrink wrapping may not help in terms of choosing the right method of film wrapping packaging since each of them has some disadvantages as well. Following we’d mention some shortcomings of overwrapping and shrink wrapping.

The disadvantages of overwrapping are:

• Restriction: Only restricted to cubic or cuboid-shaped objects
• Cost of automation: Overwrapping machines cost usually more than shrink-wrapping machines
• Size tolerance: not an ideal form of packaging on large items

The disadvantages of shrink-wrapping are:

• Extra high temperature: to form the shrink wrap that temperature should be raised up to 180 degrees which level of toxic emission may produce when the material used is the polyolefin.
• Energy consumption: the heating process of shrink-wrapping consumes more energy than overwrapping does.
• Unsustainable: shrink wrapping as plastic packaging is now considered a packaging form that does harm to the environment. Companies are now looking for sustainable packaging to replace shrink wrapping.

General Differences Between Overwrapping and Shrink Wrapping

To put it in a word, it is important to know clearly the pros and cons of overwrapping and shrink wrapping and have a clear idea about the differences between them. Generally, shrink wrapping applies accommodates almost all kinds of products regardless of shape, styles while overwrapping is only applied for cubic and cuboid objects. Additionally, overwrapping is a better choice when it is preferred that the product should look more neat and decent to give better visual appeal while.

Recommended reading:

Do you know the overwrap packaging can be done in different styles to provide the desired level of visual appeal and protection? Read our blog of 3 types of overwrap packaging to find out further information.

 ÉLTER´s Overwrapping Packaging Automation Solution

Great aesthetics, excellent and reliable performance, easy operation… ÉLITER is committed to offering our clients with best-of-class overwrapping packaging machinery.

With the endeavor of three generations of family business experience and cutting-edge technology and the dedication of a team with experienced engineers and technicians, ÉLITER is at your service to enhance overwrapping packaging automation in your production.

Our leading position in the market in terms of overwrapping packaging solutions is highlighted by BT-2000L Automatic Overwrapping Machine which is the top leading overwrapping equipment that demonstrates a higher level of performance thanks to the improved film feeding function with ÉLITER´s patented technique Tri.Driver® installed. As a result, BT-2000L makes a tight and beautiful finished wrap on every item with an output of up to 100 overwraps per minute.

• Unparalleled output (compared with old-design overwrappers in the Chinese market)reaching up to 100 wraps/minute while rendering a perfect wrapping performance
• Advanced film infeed system that enhances film infeed stability when working at high speed
• Incorporated with our patented technique Tri.Driver®
• The adjustable structure that enables quick format change to cover various product sizes.
• Turret wrapping process and up-to-date turret design that calls for only 1/3 of format components cost in contrast with older-design overwrappers in the market

FAQs

What is an automatic overwrapping machine?

An automatic overwrapping machine can a classic design of packaging system with kinematics that receives folded cartons, cuts splices of film according to the carton size, applies the film over the carton, folds and tucks the film at two ends, and then makes sealing by heat. Alternatively, the overwrapping machine can also accommodate papers and various biodegradable materials.

What is a shrink-wrapping machine?

A shrink-wrapping machine applies flexible film tightly around a single or a group of products and then heats the plastic to shrink tightly over the products.

The shrink-wrapping machine is usually combined with a heat tunnel where the air is heated and circulated to shrink the plastics and creates tight and secure packaging. Shrink wrapping machines can handle various product sizes and shapes, and they offer customization options such as adjustable sealing and shrinking parameters.