14 Jul
Shrink Sleeves

TO-DO-LIST for Packaging Professionals

I was often asked by my clients, what it takes to do the perfect packaging in single go? My answer to this question will always remain same. Getting hold on the basics requirement and eyes for innovative solutions. Having said this, no packaging job is same. Every container offer different level of challenge depending on your experience.

As a manufacturer I could understand the dilemma of brand owners who often juggle between manufacturing and packaging work. Packaging intricacies does require a lot of valuable time and immediate actions.

Being an Global Shrink Sleeve Advisor for years has resulted in me crafting technical books, “Sleeve It Right” and “5 Myths about Sustainable Shrink Sleeves,” which were appreciated by leaders around the world. Having over 15 years of experience in the industry enriches me with various case studies. Thankfully, now, Chetan Jain is regarded as the technical expert on the matter of shrink sleeve packaging.

So here I am, writing an article on 6 pivotal points; all professionals handling packaging development need to consider before starting work on it.

•Product container shape

This is the first step in the packaging process. Knowing your product’s container shape. A symmetric container can provide even shrinkage. If your container has contours and troughs that are unevenly placed, then getting the right shrinkage could be difficult. In such cases, distortions are more likely to appear. You have carefully selected the container shape and shrink tunnel.

•Innovation

Shrink sleeves can vary depending on the level of innovation desired for your product. It is dependent on your converter partner and how he will deliver it. It is predominantly determined by your customers’ basic requirements and expectations, but a lot depends on the manufacturer’s ideation and conceptual execution. For example, a QR code or barcode is a safety and assurance indicator. UV or metallic inks are an indicator of the quality of the packaged food. Any special effect on the shrink sleeves helps create a distinctive feature and protects it from counterfeiting. These unique characteristics can include wet, sand, soft, silver, or gold foiling.

•Shrink Sleeve Material

The right shrink sleeve substrate is a tremendous game changer for your product packaging. Brands always carefully select the right shrink sleeve substrate before designing the packaging. It is one of the basic questions about your packaging type. There are a lot of packaging materials on the market, but selecting the appropriate one according to your product is the key.

You need to discuss this with your converter partner to determine the right sleeve material. I have jotted down the basic substrate list for your knowledge.

  • PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
    It is the most versatile shrink sleeve substrate, widely used. Easy to print and handle efficiently for effortless work. Low-cost substrates provide a good range of shrinkage. Despite all these benefits, PVC is not environmentally friendly, and its incineration has negative effects on health.
  • PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
    A sustainable option in today’s world, predominantly used by all brands. Substrate clarity, stability, and availability are its benefits. It has a high shrinkage ratio, which is an added advantage in controlling the factors for shrink tunnels. It means less distortion.
  • Other Alternates
    There are some more options, like LDPET, NEXT PETG, OPS, TruCycl that are relevant depending on application.

•Design

Designing the packaging creatively is another landmark. It is like deciding the layout of your product. Design reflects the brand’s appeal. Shape, color, design elements, layout, and contents all contribute to the complete design. Always be mindful that high-shrinkage areas should not have fine design or text loaded content. Bar codes are to be aligned vertically. Seams are also very critical areas for the design. Avoid using continuous graphic text. There, use small amounts of content and elements.

•Shrinkage and Distortion

Shrinkage and distortion are relatively technical concepts to understand. Perfect shrinkage is the result of various determinants like container type, shape, and material, yet it is considered the factor of perfect shrink sleeve packaging because it also depends on the shrink tunnel you prefer. Every tunnel has its own prerequisite conditions and benefits. Steam shrink tunnels are known to provide the best shrinkage since they evenly distribute the heat. As the shrink sleeve is exposed to direct heat, it is more prone to distortion.

•Converter Partner

For every exceptional execution, you need expert support that can guide you through the process according to your needs. It is a challenging task, and not everyone could deliver your desired result. Most of the time, we understood it clearly after the final shrink sleving went wrong. In order to save time and money, you should go with a converter partner who has the required technologies, knowledge, and experience.

I could write another 10 points on this subject, and this ending would guide me to start a fresh article on the other vital aspect of shrink sleeve packaging. But will write more in future.

So, keeping the sanctity of the space, I would end here. Although keeping your queries at bay is not right. Hence, you could ask your question related to this topic to me at Chetan.jain@tauruspackaging-com.in9.cdn-alpha.com

09 Jun
Shrink Sleeves

Shrink Sleeves – From Application Overview

Usually, when a product is delivered to the customer or user, the manufacturer’s accountability is over. However, this is not in the case in the packaging industry. Until the packaging is applied to the product or on the container, It is not considered fully closed. Especially in Shrink Sleeves, this process is even more technical. In fact, the most crucial part is when shrink sleeves are applied over and formed into the final product container.

Being a Global Shrink Sleeve advisor, and Director of Taurus Packaging, I have experienced a lot of these application issues. I have mentioned this in my both books – “Sleeve it Right” & “5 Myths about Sustainable Shrink Sleeve.” Surprisingly one thing is common – The Application and handholding hiccups of Shrink Sleeves.

Let’s begin with the step in which the shrink sleeves are printed and delivered to you by us -the converter. Now the ball is in your court. The application process plays a critical role. The best-fit application technologies are determined by factors such as container type, shrink sleeve material processing condition, and selecting the right combination based on the need. The application process is divided into three categories:

1. Rotational / Carousel Applicator
2. Auto Applicator / Bullet Style/ Mandrel
3. Manual Application / Direct Apply
Let’s take them one by one.

Rotational Applicator

This applicator system is easy to handle and provides better placement of the shrink sleeve on the container, even with non-cylindrical shapes. It allows sleeves to be “squared” for rotational accuracy in a variety of container shapes. This applicator works well in full-body shrink-sleeving. Shrink sleeves are used in roll form.

Auto / Mandrel Applicator

As the name suggests, it is an Automatic applicator that uses a mandrel or metallic tube-like structure on which the sleeves are opened and applied to the containers below it. It is primarily used in beverage containers on high-speed lines.

Manual / Direct Apply 

It employs shrink sleeves in the cut form. Sleeves are passed through a tool kit that opens and applies over the container moving on the conveyer belt.

The shrink tunnel is another important aspect of applicator technology. Here too, we have three different tunnel types:

1. Hot Air (Convection)
2. Radiant Heat (Infra-Red)
3. Steam (Conduction)

Hot Air (Convection) Shrink Tunnel

Cost Shrink sleeving that is both effective and simple. Hot air is applied by directional heat to the container’s specific area where maximum shrinkage is required. best for areas like necks, grooves, or recesses. Because hot air is directly blown on the surface of the container, the temperature of the tunnel tends to be on the higher side. And this excessive heat leads to distortion in the shrink sleeve on the surface, especially on the leading edge of the sleeve. These distortions are frequently observed in cold-filled plastic or glass containers. Conveyor belts that spin for containers can help reduce such distortions.

Infrared Shrink Tunnel

The source of the heat is Infrared and since it is restricted to the chamber, this tunnel works like an oven. It is initially designed for preheating the container to ensure proper shrinkage and reduce the heat-sink effect on glass. But usually, it resulted in higher shrinkage at one end of the sleeve than the other. Shrinking PETG sleeves is highly challenging on thin-layer plastic containers.

Steam (Conduction) Shrink Tunnel

The best and most versatile shrink tunnel available for shrink sleeves. The source of the heat shrink is steam. Steam distributes the heat to the entire surface of the container, giving it the best shrinkage. Transfer of heat is very effective with steam; Steam is 20 times more efficient than air, so it is easier to control the heat and manage the temperature. Despite having the advantage of a nearly perfect shrink, Steam Tunnel has a comparatively complex machine for generating the steam (boiler, pipes, drainage, etc.), which determines the volume of steam you require for shrink-sleeving the container. It also requires maintenance from time to time for perfect functioning.

Shrink sleeving is similar to custom tailoring for your product container.
All you need to know are your important points, and the solution will be easy. Before making this investment, consult with a shrink-sleeve guide.

Taurus Packaging is at your service for any doubt regarding shrink sleeving. We are available at info@tauruspackaging-com.in9.cdn-alpha.com or 96674 00924.

02 May
Shrink Sleeves

Tough shrinks to Implement.

There have been various challenges in my life that have transformed me, but few of them have left me more practical and wiser in terms of technical knowledge and implementation.

Hello everyone! Your packaging friend is back with another write-up of professional knowledge. I am Chetan Jain, Global Shrink Sleeve Advisor, Author of Books – “5 Myths about Sustainable Shrink Sleeve” and “Sleeve It Right” and Director of Taurus Packaging.

Today, I’ll share three challenging situations that put my knowledge and skills as a packaging professional to the test.

         1. Intricate Design

Tricky Product’s container design is a classic example of tough packaging execution. Typically, brands are very particular about their identity, and container shape plays a significant role in this. No two good brands have similar container shapes. One such case is Bournvita. This container has a wide top and bottom with a curve in the middle. In addition, the bottom section is divided into 5 rings that resemble steps. In such a complex container shape, the text distortion was obvious. There was a circular logo like design that had created a huge problem. We did predistortion with design. We also used Next PETG for the shrink sleeves with lacquer coating, which was a perfect match for the container design. We finally got the best fit in shrink sleeves without any errors.

         2. LD-PET Application

This was the case when LD-PET shrink sleeves was a rare film in India. Everyone was using PVC or PETG. It was one of the first cases where we were working on the LD-PET project. Thanks to Bacardi, whose work has given us exposure. They have given us clear instructions that the sleeve must look like the bottle part and not like an overlapping cover. The design was tricky as well. The bottle of Bacardi+ Premix Rum has a narrow mouth and a long neck. We choose LD-PET for shrink sleeves, which has a great finish and shrinkage. On our end, we did a lot of trials. It was hard to get the proper finish. Distortion was easily seen in the text. After various improvised efforts, we were able to get the perfect sleeves that Bacardi loved and approved.

         3. Practical Issues of MOQ and Timelines

When Heritage Novandie commenced this project with us, they mentioned to us that the MOQ requirement was very low as they were launching a new product, yet quality must be the best. Also, they were running short of time. They wanted to do this job as quickly as possible. We implemented our star service, the HIP Framework. We were able to provide them with a customised result of less quantity shrink sleeves of the highest quality in the shortest amount of time using HIP Framework. We completed and handed over the work in just 4 days (from the approval of the artwork). The brand was happy to receive the shrink sleeves just in time to finish their product launch with better-than-expected quality.

I wish I could include more examples in this write-up, though I know it will become quite a long read to put them all. So, this is it. In my future posts, I’ll share more examples from my work with you. It will be helpful if you give me candid feedback about my blogs. You could also help me by suggesting the kinds of topics you want to know about. So, for now, I will end my blog here.

Thanks for your time.

11 Apr
Shrink Sleeves

PLA Shrink Sleeves – A Biodegradable Packaging Solution

Packaging is an integral part of our daily lives. The use of plastic in the packaging of food products is frowned upon, but various innovations have made it safer. Yet the need for bio-based plastic was always missed. By now, you must be clear about the intention of this article.

Yes, you are right! “Plant based Shrink Sleeves” You might have already heard about PLA Shrink Sleeves. Let’s talk about PLA so we can better understand it and use it.

Polymer and Packaging Industry is always been a dynamic industry. The product update, renew and replace in short period of time. As a Global Advisor and Director of Taurus Packaging, I have always been the supporter of holistic technologies that create significant steps in closing the loop. With 15 years of active experience and comprehensive exposure, I tend to implement it everywhere I can.

PLA, or Polylactic Acid is a plant-based plastic made from fermented starch. It is comparatively new plastic material compared to the other shrink sleeve materials in the industry. PLA is mostly manufactured from corn. It is also made from sugarcane in some regions. Although the usage of PLA shrink labels is only 10% in developing nations, it has a huge scope in the near future.

PLA is given due prominence because of its biocompatible polyester property. It is developed in 4 processes: fermentation, separation, lactide conversion, and polymerization. Let’s take a closer look at its properties as a shrink sleeve substrate.

It is biodegradable, with a thickness in the range of 45–60 microns. It can be kept at a good temperature of more than 38 °C or less than 4 °C. It can be printed with almost all printing technologies, like – Gravure, Flexo Solvent, Flexo Water based, Flexo UV, Rotary UV offset & Digital printing. It has high transparency, a good gloss, and good ink adhesion. It also shows effective shrinkage with all types of commercially available shrink tunnels and applications, like Infrared, Steam Flow and Hot Air.

With all these benefits, PLA has a few shortfalls. Biodegradation is a slow process that must be properly processed in landfills. We have not yet assigned PLA to a resin code category. It is classified as “other plastics.” Its availability is restricted to certain markets. And the most confronting is the price, which is higher than the price of PVC and PETG. We understand that it is impossible to find a perfect solution, hence, the subsequent moves are required to make the shift towards a sustainable world.

PLA has been in the industry for quite a while, yet its usage is not much considered by the brands. Mostly due to a lack of information and a misunderstanding of the application process. There also have been various misconceptions about the PLA few years back which has been less frequent now but still has impact, that comes from insufficient knowledge and experience. As a shrink sleeve consultant, I advise brands to know more about PLA and then subsequently take a decision as per the market’s upcoming, future-oriented shrink sleeves or labels to help the environment.

And for all applicability queries and further technical discussions, you can either go with your existing packaging partners or you can also interact with me, utilising my prior experience with this shrink film. You can directly book a one to one call on chetan-jain.com.

I hope this article will clear your doubts about PLA. In the world of sustainable shrink sleeves, there is a lot that can be done.

13 Mar
Shrink Sleeves

Shrink Sleeves opportunity in Aerosol Packaging

Aerosols are commonly used in Indian homes nowadays. We might not be familiar with the term “Aerosol” however, the usage is very common. Some examples include mosquito repellent, spray paint, deodorants, shaving foam, room fresheners, and sanitizer spray.

The aerosol industry in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6 percent between 2020 and 2030. As a product, aerosols are usually packed in metal or plastic cylinders or cans. It is a comparatively less crowded section for the packaging industry. In this section as well, the FMCG giants influence the packaging.

As an Technical Author and Shrink Sleeve Expert, I was often asked about the scope for Shrink Sleeve in upcoming new sectors. I think Shrink Sleeve have been are considered as very underrated commodity in manufacturing. But no one realize, how Shrink Sleeves can elevate your brand value. My first book – “Sleeve it Right – 7 Secrets of Shrink Sleeves not known to India’s FMCG business” will give answers you are looking for.

Let’s look at the packaging trends in aerosols product. Most of the time, we see paper labels on deodorant bottles or printed CANs. Let’s go deeper into their manufacturing details. Cans are usually printed and kept for a long time. It necessitates a longer inventory period than other items. These Cans are subject to change due to changes in packaging details, and printing cannot be done again. This is not the case with shrink-sleeve packaging. Shrink sleeves a can be implemented on any cylinder or bottle in small quantities without having to keep large inventories. Of course, Shrink-sleeve provide much better brand visibility and durability as compared to paper labels.

We will take the example of the premium beverage brand “BIRA,” which resolved its packaging woes with Shrink sleeve technology. Bira used to have a large inventory of beer cans due to volatile government guidelines. With Shrink sleeves, Bira not only controlled its inventory issue but also won the Best Packaging Award.

Another benefit of implementing Shrink Sleeve on Cans / bottles is, the swift move towards recycling that comes with the easy peeling of shrink Sleeve from Can. Usually, these cans are recycled based on their raw material. Taking the shrink sleeves off bottles and cylinders starts the process with 1st step of recycling And it also reduces the efforts that go into the segregation of material.

I believe that using shrink sleeves in a sustainable manner helps both the environment and the organisation function properly.
The aerosol industry can gain a competitive advantage in packaging by being the first to market. They can be leaders, just like BIRA, whose case study can be read and implemented.

To analyse the Shrink Sleeve compatibility in your Aerosol Can, you can leave your query to info@tauruspackaging-com.in9.cdn-alpha.com Or call us at 96674 00924.

 

16 Jan
Taurus Packaging

Anti-Counterfeiting Solutions in Flexible Packaging

The digital era of e-commerce has provided us with numerous conveniences, from ordering daily supplies to the uncommon, rare “Havana Samagri” in the blink of an eye. Everything is just a click away now. During the pandemic, this trend was not just a fad but an actual need. That time has prompted us to take this up in our lives, more than we wanted to. These developments come with the inevitable threat of counterfeiting.

After spending almost 15years in this Industry, I think Packaging has immense capability to change the perception and market itself. As a Packaging Guide, I wish to look deep into every point that can benefit customer or brand. Resolving challenges is one of its step.

Counterfeiting is not a new problem, it has been troubling brands for quite some time. And with e-commerce, their approach is getting noticed very frequently. Ecommerce has given us the opportunity to buy a product without seeing it first-hand. This allows for an easy swoop in for all duplicate products. For brands, it is an actual challenge to maintain authenticity without losing customers. We are all aware that counterfeit goods of poor quality can not only harm the brand’s value but can also harm customers’ health.

Considering all this turmoil, brands are now more vigilant about creating anti-counterfeiting measures in their product packaging. Let us look at the anti-counterfeiting measures taken in packaging.

Security seals

Security seals are tamper-evident mechanisms that are commonly seen on the neck of bottled products, packaged small boxes, and large cartons. They are a relatively inexpensive way to detect counterfeiting.

These security seals are known to leave behind marks, colors, or prints upon tempering. These give cues to the brands and the counterfeit entity about the product’s inability to be a counterfeit.

Barcodes

Barcodes are another much safer and easier way of providing security from counterfeit goods. Barcodes help you track the products back to their origin, giving you details on the channels used in the process. There are various types of barcodes in use.

Barcodes that give information about product packaging originality. Some of them provide a brief overview of the lot’s details, the date of packaging, and so on. You can have the same barcode on all products, or you can also have a unique barcode on every product. Depending on your need and trend, you may decide to educate your customers.

Security Inks & Printing

These are special inks that clarify the difference between counterfeit and original products. We use neon print in a few products’ packaging, which shines only in neon light. On a similar note, we have inks that shine under UV light. Few products make use of laser-induced inks, which change colour when exposed to laser light.

With printing technologies, we have numerous effects that are not used by counterfeiters, such as sand touch, soft touch, wet touch, silver and gold foiling, etc. We also provide a tactile effect and a coarse feel on the surface of the product, usually on a bottled or canned surface. Watermarking is also one such way, which we are doing.

Holograms

Last but definitely not the least, Holograms provide ultimate security against counterfeits. Holograms are used as authentication labels on all types of products, including FMCG, electronics, and electric. These holograms can come in as many as 14 different pattern types, few of them are: 2D, 3D, Rainbow Effect, Crystal Effect, Gold Foil, Silver Foil, etc.

There are many other features in anti-counterfeit packaging we can suggest, but above are the most prevalent trends in the market. Brands no longer have to wait for new technology to combat counterfeiting. However, there are many new inventions on the way to creating more authentic safety features for the anti-counterfeit market.

You can discuss the suitable anti-counterfeit packaging measures according to your requirements with us at info@tauruspackaging-com.in9.cdn-alpha.com

05 Dec
Taurus Packaging

Take one simple step and leap into a sustainable world.

The climate emergency and plastic consumption are not hidden from anyone, nor do I need to explain them. What we need to understand is how we can be sustainable in our current scenario. Shrink sleeves are one of the smallest plastic problems, but it is one way which supports sustainability. We’ve already talked about shrink sleeves from sustainability point of view (as mentioned in my book, 5 Myths About Sustainable Shrink Sleeves. Today we will discuss how perforation in shrink sleeves could be a boon to recycling.

Perforation on our packaged food pouch or beverages is quite common. We know, it provides a seal to the opening mouth. Top perforation around the neck or cap of the bottle is common. It prevents spillage and makes the product tamper evident. Perforation on the conclave surface helps in venting out the air from the surface. Besides these, perforations are given to peel off the label from the bottle. The discarded shrink sleeves can be disposed of separately from the bottle, allowing the recycler to begin the process without having to inspect the shrink sleeves.

Shrink Sleeves (printed with various inks and made up of different substrates) must be handled separately. It is the 3rd step in the recycling procedure known as “De-labeling”.

Usually, in the absence of perforation, the de-labelling is done either mechanically or through high water pressure. The heat used during plastic recycling can also remove the labels and adhesive. But these adds to the cost of recycling.

Plastic recycling is the only way to curb the plastic problem. And recycling must be done with the removal of heat shrink label. Considering all these factors, we understood that the removal of heat shrink sleeve and the recycling process go hand in hand. Hence, various developed nations have opted for perforation in shrink sleeves on containers. Consumer awareness and government initiatives are the crucial steps to implementing these changes. In countries like Japan, the government has educated consumers enough to implement the direction of removing the shrink film from containers using perforation before dumping them.

In India, the awareness level among the consumers needed a boost. People need to understand why perforation is required and how it is implemented. The government must educate the public about plastic recycling, and consumers must be vigilant at all times.

Perforation in Shrink Sleeves is a smart idea that gives us a simple way to a sustainable world. Hence, we cannot overlook it. We must implement it to be a part of the circular economy.

15 Nov
Taurus Packaging

Different types of Packaging Inks and usage

When you pick a product from Supermarket Isle, the first thing you notice is Packaging. known as the “Face of the Product”. This face of a product has many roles, and it is the result of the different industries working together.

Hello Everyone! I am Chetan Jain, Shrink Sleeve – Packaging Expert and Author of the Books – Sleeve it Right & 5 Myths about Sustainable Shrink Sleeve” Having 17 years of experience in this industry seems like a fresh approach because of fast-changing innovations.

Today we will discuss Printing Inks – an integral part of the packaging industry and its possibilities. The demographic of shopping is shifting very quickly, and hence the packaging requirements. Global regulatory bodies are vigilantly changing the guidelines and their implementation is as quick as they come into the market.

Barrier Inks and Coatings

A step-in packaging world, which makes the industry so advanced. Barrier Coatings, as the name suggests, provide a barrier to external factors like oxygen and UV rays from penetrating in. Barrier inks also help in the reduction of extra film layers and thus provide economic benefits from using less raw material. It increases the product’s shelf life. Dairy industries are opting for these inks in packaging technology.

Smart Inks

Smart inks are designed to act swiftly and inform customers about product freshness. With changes in moisture and temperature, the product (meat or vegetable) starts to decay. The change in chemistry triggered the change of ink from black to color. It is indeed the smarter way for the Next Gen technology in the packaging world.

Superior Inks

Now let’s take the category that provides the maximum exposure to a brand. This category has various options to serve different purposes. Let us take them one by one.

  • Tactile effect – These are the inks that are usually used in packaging where a natural look is required. This also adds to the 3D effect of the medium used. This ink improves the visual appeal to great extent.
  • Holographic effects – Inks that create a 3D effect by rendering a hologram on a flat surface. These inks also glow in the dark. Such effects are commonly used in the liquor industry to grab the eyes.
  • Foil Effects – These inks are used on exclusive or festive theme-related products. This gives a look in gold or silver foil over the packaging that creates an edge over other products.
  • Scented Inks – The prevalent trend of using varnish in Inks creates an undesired odour in packaging. To overcome smell issues, these inks are mixed with scented varnishes to create the desired fragrance. This is a huge step in the packaging world that engages our other sensory experiences more than usual.

We can go on and list out the other packaging ink marvels, but these are a few breakthroughs in the packaging world that are shifting consumers’ perspectives.

All these innovations come with a challenge in technical execution which can be done by having a Packaging guide by your side. To explore the opportunities of Printing Inks in your innovative Packaging, you can schedule a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com

08 Aug
Shrink Sleeves, Taurus Packaging

2022s Top Packaging Design Trends

Packaging industry is one of the Dynamic industry of the world. It is an industry full of possibilities. From customer convenience to customer satisfaction, a product’s packaging must tap into each of these dimensions and fulfill the needs of the end consumer. Given the changing market scene post the seriousness of the pandemic, many new trends have emerged in 2022 when it comes to packaging of consumer goods.

 

Let us look at these top trends.

 

  1. THAT 60’s VIBE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bright and peppy colours have made a comeback, and so have bold, 60’s inspired patterns, waves and designs. Catching the eye of the end customer and connecting them visually and feel good about the product is a major theme.

 

  1. SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

One trend gaining popularity is brands showing solidarity towards protecting the environment by preferring sustainable raw materials for their packaging needs. A play of textures and looks is quite fascinating.

 

3. CELEBRATING THE TEXT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Move over images and illustrations. There is a growing trend of putting texts and fonts center stage on the product’s packaging. Think of the text as the king of the design in bright, bold colours, and you have typography that is nothing less than art to please the eyes.

 

  1. THE RETURN TO MINIMALISM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s the best to cut through the chaos? Minimalist, clutter-free packaging designs create a sense of calm with a preference for soothing and soft colours and fonts.

 

  1. INTERIORS THAT POP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imagine seeing a minimalist plain box of the packaging reveals a maxima list, mesmerizing and beautiful, almost arty packaging design inside. Surprise, surprise!

 

  1. FAUX 3D GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is one of the most innovative packaging design trends of 2022 that celebrates the power of technology and offbeat concepts. A play of depth and illusions makes customers notice the packaging and instantly creates a buzz around the product.

 

  1. WHITE BACKGROUNDS

Another popular trend involves celebrating the white background with little pops of colours for a calming and relaxing effect.

 

  1. COLLAGE AND COLOUR LAYERING

Showcasing what one can achieve when creativity gets wings to fly, packaging designs with multi-coloured layers and collage of images creates an element of intrigue.

 

  1. PLAYFUL CHARACTERS

Many brands are using smile-worthy rubber hoses popular in the 1920’s to connect with their consumers.

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

2022’s packaging trends are all about that feel good factor and refreshing vibes much needed after two years of gloom. Brands are encouraged to get creative, and the end customers are ready to appreciate out-of-the-box creative packaging designs that catch the eye and inspire them to stop and look.

Do you want an expert opinion on your packaging designs? Wish to know how to add elements of innovation to your current packaging? Then I encourage you to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

 

Source:

https://99designs.com/blog/trends/packaging-design-trends/#1
27 Jul
Shrink Sleeves, Taurus Packaging

DECIPHERING THE WORLD OF SHRINK TUNNELS

Shrink tunnels are crucial pieces of equipment used in commercial packaging and labeling. They get used for varied applications, and it is important to find the right one to get the best results. Factors that determine your shrink tunnel choice include the type of film you are using, the shape and nature of your product, its contents, if any, etc.

 

What are Shrink Tunnels?

Shrink/heat tunnels work with steam as well as hot air. You can think of a shrink tunnel as an enclosed metallic space fitted with a conveyor belt. Different objects pass through the belt, and heat is applied to the passing objects to achieve specific results. It can include covering an object with a sleeve or shrinking a film around a product precisely. The two main factors to consider here are the speed at which the conveyor belt moves and the period for which heat will apply to the objects.

 

Different Types of Shrink Tunnels, Pros, and Cons

There are three main varieties of shrink tunnels available for commercial purposes.

 

  1. INFRARED TUNNELS

Often used with hot air shrink tunnels, infrared tunnels fitted with infrared bulbs emit the rays to create a warming effect only on the surface of the packaging containers. It, in turn, helps to complete various shrinking applications. An apt example of infrared tunnel usage is shrinking seal bands on products.

 

Infrared Tunnels are known for

  • Being energy efficient as they only heat the surface of the objects
  • Transferring optimum heat almost instantly
  • Low overall costs

 

However, when using an infrared tunnel

  • Full exposure to all parts of the object is a must otherwise the obstructed area will have shrinkage issues
  • There are limitations in maintaining different wavelength bands
  • Not suitable for applications where the shrinkage percentage is high

 

Infrared Tunnels are the least popular choice as it generates high heat which can sometimes cause uneven shrinkage. A further challenge with the high temperatures is the difficulty with empty containers. It’s very complicated to shrink a sleeve on an empty PETG container.

 

  1. HOT AIR SHRINK TUNNELS

As the name suggests, this tunnel uses hot air to create heat and shrink the packaging sleeve onto the product smoothly and uniformly. Since heat gets blown in this type of tunnel, we can easily choose the direction of the heat and its application.

 

Hot Air Tunnels are known for

  • Ability to target and customize the heat and airflow
  • Different temperatures can be maintained
  • Low overall costs

 

However, when using a hot air shrink tunnel

  • Good ventilation is a must while using this tunnel
  • A rotary puck type tunnel helps in providing even shrinkage

 

  1. STEAM SHRINK TUNNELS

Ideal for shrink applications, these tunnels use piped steam to create a heating effect rather than hot air. As the steam gets introduced into the tunnel and heat is generated, it produces the shrinking effect of sleeves onto the desired product. Since such tunnels work on steam, they need a supply of water.

 

Steam Shrink Tunnels are known for

  • Versatility in their shrinking abilities
  • Consistent and uniform heat distribution
  • Suitability for working with packaging containers with a contoured body

 

However, when using a steam shrink tunnel

  • You need an external source to generate heat
  • Objects passing through the tunnel must be dried before packing
  • There is a possibility of corrosion
  • Certain shrink materials are not supported
  • The tunnel length needs to be longer compared to other shrink tunnels
  • It requires more investment

 

Dry Vs Wet Steam Tunnel

 Although ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ are both steam, it’s essential to choose the right type to ensure the best results, and avoid causing sleeving problems.  An understanding of the difference and performance of each will make it easy to determine which is the best solution for your product.

 

Self-Generating Steam Tunnel

Most steam tunnel require an external source of steam like a Boiler, but you also have an option of a Steam tunnel that generates its own steam.

 

Possible Complications You Can Expect During Shrink Sleeving

Packaging using shrink sleeves is a process requiring the right conditions to get the optimum output. Several factors can have a bearing on the results.

 

Container Shape, Curves & Taper: A cylindrical-shaped container is probably the most straightforward to go through the shrink-labeling process. However, if the container shape is square or something else with vertical edges, it may be more complex to ensure uniform shrinkage. Distortions are possible. The same goes with tapering shapes, curves, and varying diameters of the container where maintaining an even shrinkage can be challenging.

 

Container Material of Construction: Container materials like Glass, Tin, Aluminium, PP, HDPE, and PET is a critical variable in the shrink result and the choice of shrink tunnels is completely dependent on the shrink tunnel. No one type of shrink tunnel is perfect for all types of containers. This is important to know when selecting the tunnel.

 

Material Choices: The material you select for shrink sleeve development also affects the results you can expect. While PVC shrinks at low temperatures with ease almost in a uniform way, PETG does not shrink uniformly, and there are more chances of distortions taking place. However, it is more supportive of the environment than PVC.

 

Surface Finishes: The type of surface embellishments used, matte or glossy finish, and embossed design on the labels, all can have a bearing on the way the label gets shrunk.

 

Weather: Different ambient weather can give different shrink results on certain types of containers or shrink film. This factor needs to be identified if applicable for your container so that probable shrink tests can be done.

 

Which Shrink Tunnel is Suitable for You?

Since several factors come into play while choosing the ideal shrink tunnel for you.

  • Is your product sensitive to heat?
  • Is distortion of graphics a major factor in your decision
  • Shrink result quality
  • The material of sleeve you use
  • The shape of the container
  • Budget

 

It is not recommended to make a generic choice. Instead, ensure that you find a shrink sleeve supplier who discusses your typical shrink labelling needs and then recommends the best option for you. A good technique is to test a few sample sleeves and get the prototype to see the results before purchasing the final one for your business.

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Shrink tunnels are crucial in producing good shrink-sleeving results for your product packaging needs. Hence, knowing the different options available and choosing the one that is best suited to your needs is a crucial step.

 

Do you want an expert opinion on selecting the best shrink tunnel for your packaging needs? Then I encourage you to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

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