Tips for Choosing a Packaging Sealer

Maybe you're looking to start shrink sealing your products or searching for a new machine to meet you needs, either way, I have put together a few things to consider during your next purchase of a shrink sealer. As I am most familiar with Traco Manufacturing's products, I will be highlighting them throughout this post. However, most of the sealing machines available on the market today are quite similar, so much of these details will apply across the board.

First, consider the volume and frequency of your shrink sealing needs. Will you be sealing everyday or just once a week? Will you be sealing one item at a time or doing a batch of several hundred items at a time? For your low capacity applications, in small business environments, you will want to first consider the Traco Hot Shot Heat Gun, this handy tool is very effective and extremely affordable, available at retail outlets for less than $40. For more demanding operations in small to medium businesses, and for repackaging needs in retail environments, consider using a more robust machine like the Traco Deluxe SuperSealer Portable Shrink system.  The SuperSealer Portable  comes standard with a shrink film roll cutter, a heat gun, and a replacement parts kit. This machine allows you to quickly cut and seal centerfold shrink film around your item, you would then hit your product with the Hot Shot Gun to finish.  As the SuperSealer is extremely easy to use, beginners should not be intimidated; it only takes a few minutes to pick up the technique and begin sealing professional-looking products.

Next, consider the type of sealing you'll be doing.  If you just need to cut and seal bags quickly, many times a day, a foot operated impulse bag sealer may be the best option for you.  This sealer will allow the operator to seal bags quickly while sitting down in a chair near the machine. Consider this unit for light to moderate bag sealing in a small business environment. For sealing more unique shapes and customized products, a SuperSealer Deluxe Wand System may be your best bet.  Used much like the SuperSealer Deluxe mentioned above, the wand system just allows you more versatility in sealing because the sealer is actually a handheld wand that you can hold at different angles to get the seal you're looking for. 

Along with choosing the right machine to meet your packaging needs, you will also need to purchase shrink film regularly. Depending on the type of items you intend to package, you may need very specific film to ensure your products are packaged in the manner you truly desire (fully protected and durable). Polyolefin shrink film is typically seen on CD and DVD products and is also FDA approved for direct food contact. This means you can package fruit, breads, gift baskets and more with this particular type of film.  Polyolefin film is very flexible and intended for packages of all shapes and sizes as it does not typically crack under pressure. PVC Shrink film can be a little more brittle and is best suited for more rigid and simply-shaped products.

For large scale sealing and packaging needs, there are self-contained units that can package anything from CDs and DVDs to clothing and other merchandise. Companies that require such equipment often would benefit from having these other, smaller, shrink sealing machines on-hand in case of an emergency or a need for a quick fix. If you have any questions about the items I mentioned above, please feel free to leave comments below.