PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride and for years was the preferred shrink wrapping plastic for retail sales. A PVC shrink wrap is crinkly prior to heat being applied. The consistency resembles cellophane prior to heat being applied. PVC has a very low required shrink temperature. After heat is applied it becomes hard and rigid.

1. What is
Thickness
and
Types of
Shrink
Wrap?

2. About Us
• Here at Shrink-wrap we are a team of highly qualified
professionals able to service the areas New Zealand
with our Head Office in Christchurch.
• We are committed to completing your work to a high
standard with efficiency and professionalism, at
affordable rates.
• With a proven record of satisfied clients you can trust
Shrink- Wrap to exceed your expectations.

3. Types of Shrink Wrap
1. PVC
2. Polyolefin
3. polyethylene

4. PVC
• PVC – PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride and
for years was the preferred shrink wrapping
plastic for retail sales.
• A PVC shrink wrap is crinkly prior to heat
being applied. The consistency resembles
cellophane prior to heat being applied. PVC
has a very low required shrink temperature.
After heat is applied it becomes hard and
rigid.
• It is a favorite shrink wrap for low output
productions concerned about affordability.
During sealing and heating PVC emits a
strong odor due to the chloride.
• Proper ventilation is recommended for
anyone using a PVC shrink wrap.

5. Polyolefin
• Polyolefin – The term polyolefin can refer to a
polyethylene or polypropylene plastic.
• For use in shrink wrapping, polyolefin shrink
film differs substantially in characteristics from
polyethylene shrink film.
• Polyolefin shrink film is quickly overtaking PVC
as the most commonly used shrink film for retail
packaging.
• Polyolefin shrink plastic offers several benefits
over PVC shrink plastic.
• A polyolefin shrink film is more shelf stable
than PVC shrink wrap.
•One of the major benefits of polyolefin shrink
film is FDA approval for direct food contact. Due
to the chloride in PVC shrink film, it is not
approved for direct food contact.

6. Polyethylene
• Polyethylene comes in multiple variations.
It is the most common plastic in the world.
• For shrink wrapping, polyethylene shrink
film is most commonly used for heavier
wrapping applications.
• For retail sales, polyethylene is often used
for packaging cases of water bottles and
canned goods.
• Retail polyethylene shrink wrap offers an
excellent stretch rate and puncture
resistance.
• The most common thicknesses used for
retail sales is a 2-3 mil thickness.

7. Plastic Thickness Conversion Chart
1 Gauge = One hundredth of a Mil
100 Gauge = One Mil Thickness
1 Gauge = .254 Microns
100 Gauge = 25.4 Microns
1 Mil = One Thousandth of an Inch
1 Mil Also equals 25.4 Microns

8. PVC Shrink Film
• PVC shrink film can be found in a variety of thicknesses, but by
far the most common is a 75 gauge.
• The 75 gauge thickness is so common we only stock our PVC
centerfold rolls in a 75 gauge thickness.
• We do stock our bags in a 100 gauge thickness. PVC shrink film
thicknesses are easy to figure because they are not
recommended for sharp, heavy objects.
• It is a great option for boxes, CD cases, and other uniform
objects, but not for heavy pointed objects in excess of 25-30 lbs.
•PVC shrink film becomes brittle and hard after heat is applied.
These characteristics keep PVC shrink wrap from being the best
option for wrapping heavy pointed objects.

9. Polyolefin Shrink Film
• Polyolefin means “oil like”. This explains the way polyolefin
shrink film feels to the touch.
• Polyolefin feels oil like or waxy. It is a much softer film than
PVC. It does not contain Chloride like PVC does which is one of
the main reasons it is food safe.
• Polyolefin comes in a variety of stock thicknesses. The most
common thicknesses are 60, 75, 80, and 100 gauge.
• One great feature of polyolefin shrink wrap a thicker film still
offers great clarity.
• The advantage to using a thinner film is the roll length. Rolls of
the thinner 60 gauge film are considerably longer than the 100
gauge film.

10. Polyethylene Shrink Film
• This is the type of film many people think of for industrial
applications.
• Polyethylene film can come in thicknesses up to 12 mil.
Converted, that is 1200 gauge.
• Polyethylene shrink film is used for cases of water, pallet
shrink bags, wrapping boats, and wrapping other large
industrial items.
• Polyethylene shrink film does not have the same shrink rate
as polyolefin and PVC.
• The lower shrink rate often makes polyethylene preferred
for printing. Many of the printed water bottle cases in the
store use polyethylene shrink film.

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