The Importance of Shrink Bands
Shrink bands (or heat bands) are an excellent way to ensure the integrity of your packaged goods. They provide a tamper-evident seal, reassuring your consumers about the safety and quality of your products. Shrink bands can even be customized with branding and product information, contributing to a professional and cohesive packaging design.
Steps to Apply Your Shink Bands
Once you have your desired shrink bands in hand, follow these steps to apply them to your bottles or jars:
1. Choose the Right Size: Select a shrink band that snugly fits the diameter of your jar or bottle’s neck. Ensure it’s the appropriate height to cover the cap and a part of the container just below the cap. If you need help deciding on a size, email us at glassnowemails@couronneco.com and we will assist you.
2. Position the Shrink Band: Place the shrink band over the cap and ensure it is centered and covers the closure completely. The band should be even around the top of the container without any folds or creases.
3. Apply Heat:
Using a Heat Gun: To start, all you need is a portable mini heat gun, like this one for example. Then follow these steps:
a. Set the heat gun to a low or medium setting.
b. Hold the heat gun about 6-8 inches away from the container.
c. Move the heat gun slowly around the shrink band, ensuring even heat distribution. Rotate the bottle if needed to achieve a uniform shrink. Be sure to avoid heating in the same spot for too long, as the heat band will start to curl up.
d. The shrink band will begin to tighten around the top and cap of the container.
Using a Heat Tunnel:
a. Preheat the heat tunnel to the manufacturer’s recommended temperature.
b. Place the container with the shrink band into the heat tunnel.
c. Allow the containers to pass through the tunnel. The band will shrink uniformly as it moves through the heated environment.
4. Check the Seal: After applying heat, inspect the shrink band for a tight and secure fit around the container and cap. The band should be smooth and wrinkle-free.
5. Cool Down: Allow the bottle to cool down for a few moments. The shrink band will continue to contract slightly as it cools, ensuring a firm seal.
6. Quality Control: Perform a final check to make sure the shrink band is properly applied. Look for gaps, bubbles, or uneven areas. A properly applied shrink band should be seamless and provide a tamper-evident seal.
By following these steps, you can effectively apply shrink bands to your glass bottles and jars, ensuring product safety, enhancing the overall packaging appearance, and instilling confidence in your brand among your customers.
Once you’ve mastered shrink band application, consider special orders of Shrink Sleeve packaging to further enhance your branding. These custom-printed sleeves conform to the shape of your packaging, providing a 360-degree product decoration along with tamper-proof protection. If you’re interested, fill out the form on our custom design page and a specialist will work with you on next steps to get these created.
