Table of Contents
Enhance the appearance and shelf appeal of your PET bottles and other plastic containers—such as PE, PP, PC, and PVC—with our high-speed Shrink Sleeve Labeling Solution. Engineered for precision and quality, this system ensures consistent, distortion-free shrink labeling at production speeds of up to 250 bottles per minute (BPM).
Why Dual Steam Shrink Tunnels?
When labeling filled PET bottles, maintaining the structural integrity of the bottle during the shrink process is a major challenge—especially at high speeds. PET bottles are prone to deformation at elevated temperatures. To overcome this, our solution integrates two-stage steam shrink tunnels with air knives, offering:
- Lower, controlled temperatures to prevent bottle warping
- Extended tunnel length to allow gradual, uniform shrinkage
- Improved shrink coverage without compromising bottle quality
- Consistent branding presentation, even at high production speeds
- Shrink sleeve film type
- Label sizing
- Tunnel length
- Tunnel temperature
- Line speed
Best Practices for Optimal Shrink Labeling Results:
To achieve the best results, we recommend the following:
- Collaborate early with your machine supplier when selecting bottles and designing shrink sleeves
- Test samples of both bottles and labels on actual equipment before final production
- Customize tunnel settings based on film material, label position, and bottle shape
System Highlights:
- Designed for filled PET plastic bottles
- Operates at up to 250 BPM
- Features dual steam shrink tunnels with air knives
- Prevents deformation while achieving optimal shrink results
- Ideal for beverages, dairy, health drinks, personal care products, and more
1. Proper Label Selection
- Choose shrink-sleeve labels that are compatible with the specific plastic type (e.g., PET, HDPE, PP).
- Consider the film thickness, material behavior, and shrink ratio to ensure a tight, uniform fit.
- Using the correct label type minimizes issues such as wrinkles, bubbles, or incomplete shrinking.
2. Production Speed
- Ensure the sleeve labeling machine can accommodate your required line speed without sacrificing quality.
- Machines with adjustable speed controls allow better alignment between label application and heat exposure.
- Proper synchronization is essential to maintain label accuracy and avoid misalignment or label movement.
3. Heat Resistance of Empty PET Bottles
- Empty PET bottles are more susceptible to deformation under heat than filled ones.
- Most PET bottles can tolerate temperatures up to 70–80°C (158–176°F) before softening.
- To avoid distortion, set your shrink tunnel to operate at controlled, safe temperatures, often requiring longer tunnels or lower steam intensity.
4. Shrink Characteristics of Film Labels
- Different shrink films (PVC, PETG, OPS, PLA) have varying shrink ratios and activation temperatures.
- Most PET bottles can tolerate temperatures up to 70–80°C (158–176°F) before softening.
- Understand your film’s optimal shrink profile (e.g., 65% shrink at 80°C over 4 seconds).
- Customize tunnel temperature, airflow, and dwell time to avoid over-shrinking (leading to tearing) or under-shrinking (causing slack or misfit).
5. Material Compatibility
- Always match label film to bottle material:
- PET bottles → PETG or PVC sleeves
- HDPE bottles → LDPE-compatible sleeves
- This ensures uniform adhesion, appropriate shrink response, and long-term durability.
Conclusion
By accounting for label material, bottle type, production speed, heat application, and material compatibility, you can achieve:
- A smooth, wrinkle-free shrink sleeve
- Excellent conformity to complex contours
- A premium, shelf-ready appearance
