10 Jun
Taurus Packaging

What Is EPR And What It Means For Your Business?

 

Considering that every year, we produce plastic waste equivalent to the weight of the entire human population, there has been a dire need to promote responsible waste management. EPR is a step in this direction.

The term EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility.

Under EPR, the responsibility of recovering, recycling, reusing, and proper plastic waste disposal stands extended to those who produce and release it into the markets. So it includes brands, goods producers, importers and packaging companies, etc.

EPR relates to a product’s complete lifecycle and holds the producer or brand answerable for the correct and environmentally supportive management of the products they produce. It starts from the time the product is conceived and manufactured till its end of life – which means when the end-user has finished using the product.

EPR guidelines have been announced under the PWMR 2016 amendment 2018.

 

HOW DOES EPR WORK?

To streamline the proper and timely collection of waste, recycle, and correct disposal, the Government has approved waste collection agencies, recycling organizations, or recyclers. They will perform these responsibilities on your behalf and charge you a fee. Such companies are called PROs or Producer Responsibility Organisations.

Once done, they will award you a completion certificate that states the exact quantity of plastic waste your company has recycled. Currently, waste recycling targets have been set at 30% and may increase over the coming years.

Say, for example, your company produces about 100 kg of plastic in a year. Now, under EPR, the responsibility lies on you to collect and recycle at least30% of this plastic material, which comes to 30 kg.

Similarly, if you have sold, say 10 kg worth of plastic to your customer, they must also recycle 30% that is 3 kg (to fulfil their responsibility). On completion, they will give you a certificate which means, now you have to recycle only 27 kg since 3 kg has already been done on your behalf.

Hence, in this way, ERP creates a consistent and ongoing cycle of responsible waste management. It ensures that whoever produces plastic also recycles it, and plastic material gets recycled throughoutthe supply chain.

It will slowly reduce the plastic waste management problem that is growing daily.

 

EPR, THE CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEM

EPR is primarily a closed-loop system of waste management in which the discarded wastes are carefully collected, recycled and reused to make new products. Doing so not only closes the loop on waste but also leads to a remarkable reduction in energy usage and production costsfor new products.

Hence, the purpose of EPR goes beyond better management of plastic waste at the end of life. By holding the producer responsible for the products they manufacture, EPR serves as a constant reminder about the impact of plastic waste. In some ways, it acts as an incentive to innovate, think outside the box as well as create a greener, environmentally-friendly products and packaging.

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Today, EPR has become a global system for better plastic waste management throughout the world. And it is growing to include more and more products such as portable batteries, tyres, electronics, end-of-life vehicles, paper, furniture items and much more.

Though it is still early to say how well this system is adopted, its contribution towards the reduce-reuse-recycle principle cannot be denied.

Whether you choose torecycle your products and the packaging yourself or work with aPRO to manage your recycling responsibility on your behalf, EPRis a step towards extended product life cycles and creating a sustainable environment.

Do you want to know how EPR will affect your business? Feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

13 May
Taurus Packaging

5 Best Plastic-free Packaging For The Future

It is a well-known fact that non-biodegradable materials such as plastic are harmful to our environment and planet. They create waste and put us in danger. Yet, plastic usage continues in various applications, including product packaging.

Though various reasons contribute to the reality, there are some innovative alternatives to plastic we can use for our packaging needs – and create a better and healthier world for us and our future generations. Let’s look at them briefly.

You can read in detail about these plastic-free, environment-friendly packaging options and their innovative creators here.

#1. Environment-Supportive Sugar Cane Packaging Labels
Yes, you read it correctly. A biobased PE film made from sugarcane ethanol is replacing the conventional film developed using petroleum polyethylene. It can be processed just like its conventional counterpart, keeping costs low and making it a good option for labelling certain items like food and cosmetics.

#2. Natural Packaging Using Biological Waste
Considering that producing as little as one cube of Polystyrene calls for more than a litre of petrol, finding a greener option is much needed. And it came in the form of bio waste mixed with certain fungal cultures or mycelium and allowed to grow.

#3. Liquid Food Packaging Using Seaweed
The invention of packaging made from bio-degradable seaweed that is also edible is one of the most revolutionary innovations of our times. Think of it as the fruit’s natural packaging or a waterproof skin. And all this while keeping the process straightforward and cheap.

#4. Plant-made Compostable Bottle
Bottles made from bioplastics contain lactic acid. Since they are biodegradable and much cheaper than plastic, they make ideal and safer packaging options for liquids. Also, these bottles are free from plasticizers and other dangerous substances.

#5. Packaging Film Made from Milk Proteins
A sustainable and edible alternative to the oil-based film is thin packaging films made from milk protein or casein. In addition to blocking oxygen better than ordinary films, they can even be dissolved and consumed!

SOURCE: lead-innovation.com

CLOSING THOUGHTS
It is encouraging to see the excellent work companies and start-ups are doing globally to find safer packaging solutions to save our environment. Let’s keep a look out for these greener alternatives to plastic & do our best to become responsible businesses.

Do you need an expert opinion on which shrink film or printing technology to use for your products? Feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

22 Apr
Taurus Packaging

Expensive or Cheap – How to Determine the Right Price of Shrink Sleeves?

One question that buyers frequently ask me is: Why are your shrink sleeve prices high? Also, why some manufacturers sell their shrink sleeves at unimaginably lower prices than the market price?

So this article is particularly important if you want to understand what makes shrink sleeves expensive or cheap. Hopefully, by the end of this read, you’ll be able to get the optimum price for your shrink sleeves.

Shrink sleeve price differences can occur due to various reasons, such as the use of blown PVC instead of cast PVC &PETG. Owing to their different manufacturing techniques, Blown PVC has a lot less clarity as compared to Cast PVC.

Some suppliers provide sleeves in blown PVCinstead of using the ideal CAST PVC.

While in certain designs or scenarios, the buyer may not notice the difference in blown PVC or CAST PVC (which prompts these printers to use the cheaper blown version), in the long run, it can create problems for the brand.

So this is how manufacturers manage to get their sleeve prices lower when they use blown PVC.

 

Problems With Blown Pvc

  • Thickness variations
  • Lesser gloss
  • Machine process scratch lines
  • Gel particles
  • Uneven shrinkage
  • Printability issue due to thickness variations
  • Lower shrinkage percentage
  • High natural shrinkage in room temperature

Other than the use of CAST PVC, there are some other ways printers use to reduce costs by compromising on specifications.

 

These include:

  • Lowering the thickness of the film
  • Reduction of ink GSM of white but compromising on opacity
  • Using non-shrink inks which may cause the ink to bleed or create mottling.

 

REALITY BITES

Packaging is the most important aspect of a product. And even though the consumer may use the product, later on, the buying decision still depends on the packaging.

  • Bad printing can lower your brand value, irrespective of whether you are an FMCG giant or an SME brand.
  • Poor packaging may even prompt a consumer to think the product is fake or duplicate.

That is why I recommend never compromise on the quality of your product’s packaging.

Since the cheapest packaging is not necessarily the right choice, it is better to aim for the right price for the quality of shrink sleeves you want for your products.

How to Know the Right Price Of SHRINK SLEEVES?

 

Here’s the correct approach:

  • See what should be the optimum pricing of the sleeves for your specs, and then negotiate in the tolerance of the costing.
  • Ask for a price break-up or cost-sheet. Judge the correct pricing, instead of going for the cheapest.

 

Here are some easy tips to get the best shrink sleeve pricing:

Low Quantities: If the quantities are low, choose the right printing technology to keep costs under control. For example, for smaller quantities, you can avoid investing in expensive cylinder costs.

Thickness: Always choose the right thickness of shrink film. Don’t buy higher thickness if it is not affecting the regulations or product.

PVC Vs PET-G: Right now, PVC prices are at an all-time high. So, switch to cheaper PETG and save costs. Also, ask your supplier whether they have the know-how to help you shift from PVC to PETG.

Innovation: Check if your sleeve buyer uses the H.I.P. framework or its equivalent so they can give you the lowest price possible as per the order quantity. You can avoid high inventory costs.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

The packaging of your products can make or break the shopper’s buying experience. So before buying the cheapest shrink packaging that can jeopardize your sales, look for a manufacturer who will offer you an optimum price for the right specification decided by your team.

If you need an expert opinion on which shrink film or printing technology to use for your products, feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

 

16 Apr
Shrink Sleeves, Taurus Packaging

Shrink Sleeve Storage and Shelf Life Guidelines You Must Know

Are you using high-quality shrink sleeve labels for your awesome products? You can now count on making your brand and products stand out on shop shelves.

Considering that shrink sleeves are somewhat fragile and delicate packaging materials, it is crucial to understand and follow the best techniques for handling, storing, and transporting shrink sleeves correctly.

After all, the last thing you’d want is for your shrink sleeves to become damaged due to conditions in your control. Right?

Let’s get started.

Common Factors That Influence The Quality of Your Shrink Sleeves

 Several conditions can affect and even compromise the usability of shrink sleeves. These include –

1. Temperature and Heat

Extreme temperatures such as excessively hot or very cold and direct sunlight can distort and damage your shrink sleeves beyond repair. When this happens, the sleeves become unusable, costing you heavily.

Now, with summers here in full swing, proper storage and shipping become extremely important if you want to protect the sleeves from damage and get the best results from them.

Usually, when exposed to temperatures beyond 30°C, shrink sleeves show a tendency to start shrinking. This in turn causes difficulty in sleeving products correctly.

Humidity is another factor having a bearing on the label’s ink and shrink sleeve usability.

BEST PRACTICE: While shrink sleeves are liked for their ability to shrink or expand easily, depending on the application, unwanted shrinkage due to temperature fluctuations need to be avoided.

To do this, shrink sleeves need to be stored and shipped under proper temperature control and ensure swift application to get the intended results.

2. Environmental Pollutants

Before the shrink sleeves get applied to your products, they go through various processes and get handled by several people.

When exposed to dirt and dust particles, shrink sleeves which already has some static charge and attract this dust, lose their sheen and their effectiveness to be applied to your products.

Also, incorrect handling can cause scratches and other forms of damage.

BEST PRACTICE: Handle shrink sleeves with responsibility and care to protect their looks, sheen, and keep the quality intact.

3. Storage

If your shrink sleeves get stored for long periods before the actual application, they are more likely to be exposed to varying problematic conditions like natural shrinkage of the film, or film getting brittle. And this increases their susceptibility to damage.

BEST PRACTICE: Plan your product’s packaging process and avoid overstocking so you won’t have to store your shrink films for longer than required.

Transportation & Storage Tips for Shrink Sleeves

Transportation:

  • It’s best to ship the shrink sleeves in a temperature-controlled delivery vehicle.
  • If quantity not sufficient for a refrigerated vehicle, then during summers, get the sleeves delivered for application overnight or early morning to avoid excessive heat and sun exposure.
  • Ensure there are no damages during transit.

Storage:

  • If there is a gap in the application despite timely delivery, store your shrink sleeves in a temperature-controlled storage facility.
  • If storing an extra reserve of sleeves, ensure the temperature and humidity levels are in check- preferably less than 25°C
  • Avoid storing them for more than 180 days.
  • During summers, store the shrink sleeve labels towards the colder parts of the warehouse, away from sun exposure.
  • Avoid fluctuations in temperature.

 

Shelf Life of Your Shrink Sleeves

Even if you buy the highest-quality shrink packaging for your products, remember, they too have a USE BEFORE date. In other words, you cannot store your labels indefinitely, or they will become unusable.

Hence, speak to your supplier to know the expected shelf life of the sleeves you are ordering and buy only the quantity which you may need since now lower quantities of sleeves can also be printed with ease.

Closing Thoughts

Your investment in good-quality labels is guaranteed to deliver excellent results, provided you and your packaging partner follow the necessary storage, transportation, and handling guidelines.

Would you like an expert opinion on which sleeves are best for your products, how to buy an optimum quantity of sleeves with ease, and how to make sure their quality remains intact from label delivery to its application?

 Feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

07 Apr
Taurus Packaging

Why is it right time to shift from PVC to PETG?

You might already be aware of the never-ending debate about which is better, PVC or PET-G. Though I have discussed it in detail in another article, post-COVID, this discussion has taken a new twist.

In this article, I would like to talk about the latest market trend that will change the way you think about Shrink Sleeve material choices and why there is no better time to switch from PVC to PET-G.

But first, a quick recap of the facts around PVC and PET-G:

 

THE DEPENDENCE ON PVC

Since long, PVC shrink sleeves have enjoyed majority status in the Indian packaging industry. Reasons are many.

  • PVC is a highly versatile, readily available material.
  • It is used extensively across different shrink tunnels and container materials.
  • Full-bodied PVC shrink sleeves simplify displaying critical product details specified by regulatory bodies.
  • PVC shrink films create a tamper-proof seal when attached to container caps, reducing the chances of adulteration.
  • PVC sleeves offer a 360° view of pre-formed film bands.

Despite benefits, PVC has titled the most TROUBLED plastic material. Its TD shrinkage is just 50%-60%, and without proper disposal, it poses a danger to human health and our environment.

 

SWITCHING FROM PVC TO PET-G

An alternative to PVC shrink sleeve, PET-G shrink sleeve has good elasticity, endurance, higher TD shrinkage and chemical resistance sought-after in various production processes.

Over the years, more and more domestic and International FMCG manufacturers have considered shifting from PVC to PETG shrink sleeves – to become globally compliant and responsible brands.

 

SO WHY THE DELAY?

Moving from PVC to PET-G is a process that requires

  • Proper planning and sufficient resources
  • Additional investments to setup sophisticated shrink tunnel infrastructure
  • A proficient packaging partner with knowledge and experience

 Many companies feel it is better to stick to PVC and avoid extra expenses. But COVID-19 has brought an unimaginable change.

 

FLUCTUATIONS POST COVID-19:

For the last six or seven months, PVC Shrink Sleeve prices are at an all-time high, not just in India but globally as well. And industry experts predict that this will continue for several more months.

The struggle is real and it’s high time to bring this situation under control before it gets totally out of hand.

So How Do We Do It? Most of you have been talking, thinking and debating over moving from PVC shrink sleeve to PET-G shrink sleeve for a long time. And there is no better time to make this shift than NOW as most grades of PET-G are currently cheaper than CAST PVC shrink film. PET-G is also readily available with Indian manufacturers.

 

CONCLUSION:

PVC will be further costlier in coming months. Instead of investing in over-expensive PVC (troubled plastic), this is a golden opportunity to make that long-overdue shift to PET-G shrink sleeves.

Taurus Packaging is here to assist you with the right expertise, knowledge, skilled technical team and years of experience to make an easy transition. Whether you have a steam tunnel, hot air tunnel, HD container, PP Container, Glass Bottle, or PET Bottle, we can help. We have successfully done many such projects with our clients.

For an expert opinion, feel free to reach out to me by booking a discovery call at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

 

 

02 Mar
Taurus Packaging

Popular Printing Technologies for Packaging

When it comes to finding the best printing method for your brand, there are plenty of choices available.

 Let’s look at the most popular technologies in use today:

OFFSET PRINTING: Metal plates transfer or off-set the design onto a rubber roller and then to the printing material.

SCREEN PRINTING: Suitable for bulk printing, mesh screens press the inks and transfer the image on the desired material such as fabric.

DIGITAL PRINTING: Giving a quick turnaround time, digital printing deals with digital designs rather than printing plates. Ink is transferred through inkjets.

ROTOGRAVURE PRINTING: It’s an Intaglio Printing technique in which a copper-plated Steel cylinder is laser-engraved with the intended design. It involves engraving the image onto the cylinder and then transferred it to the substrate through pressure.

FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING: Quite like letterpress printing, the printing plates get attached to raised rotating cylinders. It is a form of printing process which utilizes a flexible relief plate. And fast-drying inks are transferred onto the material to print the desired images.

 

The popularity of Gravure & Flexographic Technologies in Flexible Printing

Rotogravure and Flexographic Printing are the two most prevalent techniques used to meet versatile packaging requirements.

And they are commonly used in the food, beverage, and personal care industry where they use flexible (lightweight, malleable, or non-rigid) packaging materials. These include plastic films, paper, or foil that take the desired shape with ease.

 

Rotogravure Vs Flexo Printing

Rotogravure Printing offers exceptional-quality and accurate prints, preferred for printing labels, shrink sleeves, laminates, and pouches.

Wide Web Flexographic Printing is ideal for long runs, and when the desired printing speed is super-fast. Since it offers excellent print text clarity, it gets used for printing labels and films.

Narrow Web Flexographic Printing is good for self-adhesive labels, pressure-sensitive labels, and short runs of shrink sleeves.

 

Key Differences:

CHOICE OF INKS: Though Gravure printing supports many inks, a broader range of inks are available in Flexo printing.

PRINT QUALITY: Flexo offers higher clarity when the design has fine detailing and written text. However, if the artwork is detail-heavy and intricate, Gravure gives more consistency and vibrancy in print quality.

EXPENSES: Flexo is a more cost-efficient technique than Gravure when you compare the printing plate costs. However, cylinders used in Gravure generally last longer across multiple print runs than the Flexo plates.

 

Which is Better?

Since both Rotogravure and Flexographic printing techniques have pros and cons, we cannot replace one with the other. So before choosing a printing method, you must consider the best technique for the task you wish to accomplish.

Do you need an expert’s opinion to select the right printing method? Feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

 

20 Feb
Taurus Packaging

Avoid these 6 common mistakes while developing shrink sleeves

Are you planning a new product launch or re-branding your existing products? Then a perfect shrink sleeve should be on top of your list; simply because well-made shrink sleeves are an essential prerequisite for perfect looking containers or bottles. And even though companies are hiring packaging professionals to get their shrink sleeve right, many steps can be missed out.

 

 

Let’s look at the common mistakes to avoid to develop perfect shrink sleeves.

 

 

  1. Creating the wrong key line dimension (kld)
    If the KLD is incorrectly marked, it may lead to the critical text, brand name or logo to appear in the wrong areas or contours of the container. And this can make the packaging look odd and out of place.
  2. Failure to perform pre-distortion
    Some packaging containers have too many contours and depressions. Or the shape may not be symmetrical. In such cases, if pre-distortion is not done, the text may look much smaller after shrinking, than the legal requirement. Even the barcode image may appear distorted.Some companies perform pre-distortion manually because they do not have access to the correct technology. It may lead to errors, as well.
  3. Lack of trials
    Shrink sleeves behave differently in different weather conditions. Also, the different shrink tunnels may require separate shrink sleeve dimensions.Unfortunately, some companies fail to consider this factor. They only depend on the sizes given by the printer and do not take specific trials. Such an error on their part may lead to costly mistakes in the commercial lots.
  4. Choosing the wrong film
    These days, there are many material choices available to create a perfect shrink sleeve. However, each material performs differently on different containers and shrink tunnels. Hence, no one specification fits all and it is advisable to try out the different options before making a final choice.Also, you may make the mistake of using a higher shrinkage, thickness or grade of the film. It can result in over-specification, increasing your costs. So, before choosing a shrink sleeve, do explore your options to get an appropriately priced sleeve.
  5. Selecting unsuitable printing technology
    Separate printing technologies have separate advantages; so it is imperative to select the one most appropriate for your printing requirements.Otherwise, you may end up buying a high-volume shrink sleeve due to MOQ issues in the Gravure set up. And because of this one mistake, the excess quantity may expire, even before you use them. Or your artwork may change by the time it is finished.

    So, it’s crucial to perform appropriate research to choose the right technology. Remember, Buy-As-You-Need is easily possible, thanks to the availability of a wide range of printing technologies.

  6. Incorrect storage
    Often, production units are in areas where the weather in summers may reach 40-45° Celsius. In such conditions, the room temperature may also go above 30° Celsius.And storing your shrink sleeves in such conditions can result in unwanted shrinkage or distortion due to the natural shrinkage properties of the film.

    temperatures below 29° Celsius or for prolonged storage, below 25° Celsius.

 

Closing thoughts

Now that you are aware of the common mistakes companies make while developing shrink sleeves, it is your turn to avoid these costly errors.

 

Are you ready to create a perfect shrink sleeve?

Feel free to get in touch with me and I will be happy to assist you. You can schedule a 121 call/zoom meeting with me. Please visit chetan-jain.com to schedule a meeting.

 

13 Nov
Taurus Packaging

BIS BANS TOLUENE USED IN PRINTING INKS FOR FOOD PACKAGING

After its prolong use in printing inks for food packaging, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has officially banned the use of Toluene in India.

Toluene-based printing inks have been a part of the Indian packaging industry for a very long time. They are used extensively in the Rotogravure Printing technique.

However, there has been a growing sensitization about the ill effects of this harmful chemical. And while several countries had banned its use some years ago, India is now one of the latest entrants to join this list.

 

What is Toluene?

Toluene or Methylbenzene is a hazardous and toxic chemical solvent. It is colourless and has a characteristic odour, often associated with paint thinners.

 

The Original BIS Standard IS 15495:2004 

In 2004, the first Indian Standard 15495 was published to lay down the code of practice for printing ink for food packaging.

The aim was to guide companies manufacturing printing inks used on food packages so they would not include any dangerous or harmful chemicals in their inks.

It also offered assistance to food packers and manufacturers of packages so they could select the right quality of printing ink.

Guidelines were prescribed for the exclusion of specific substances from formulations of printing ink used on food packages.

 

Amended Version IS 15495:2020 

In July 2020, BIS published its first amendment to the 2004 Indian Standard in which Toluene was added in the exclusion list in Annexure A. What this means is that Toluene should no longer be used in manufacturing printing inks.

 

The Reason behind the Historic Amendment 

Toluene is dangerous on many counts, not only for those handling the printing tasks using Toluene-based inks but also the end customers. It is because Toluene can migrate from the inks in laminates onto the food product packed inside it.

Exposure to Toluene is harmful and can lead to several health issues such as nausea, dizziness, skin problems, difficulty in breathing, burning sensation in the eyes and nervous system damage.

 

Toluene-Free Inks are the Future

Many food brands are now making the necessary shift to ensure that their packaging suppliers comply with the latest amendments and provide them with Toluene-free printing inks.

While many ink suppliers have complied with the ban on the use of toluene-free inks, others too will follow their lead.

Many ink suppliers like Sakata, DIC, Toyo, Flint, Huber, Uflex etc are already ready with Toluene-free printing inks.

 

The Effects of Toluene Ban on the Indian Packaging Industry 

Now that the ban on Toluene has officially taken place, it will have a significant impact on the packaging prices.

Prices are all set to rise as Toluene-based inks are cheaper, and Toluene as a retarder is also cheaper than the other solvents used in printing.

Expected Future Changes in the IS

Another component in many inks considered to be quite harmful is Ketone. Contact with Ketone or its inhalation can cause skin rashes, eye irritation and even permanent damage.

Expectations are that Ketone, too, might be banned from use in the coming future. 

The BIS ban on Toluene in printing inks is a step in the right direction. It will contribute to making the Indian packaging industry a safer domain for workers as well as customers.

9 STEPS FOR EASY TRANSITION FROM PVC SHRINK SLEEVE TO PETG SHRINK SLEEVE
27 Oct
Taurus Packaging

9 STEPS FOR EASY TRANSITION FROM PVC SHRINK SLEEVE TO PETG SHRINK SLEEVE

Previously in an article, I have discussed pros and cons of PVC and PETG and myths related to them. Now many Indian and Global FMCG manufacturers are shifting or wanting to shift from PVC Shrink Sleeves to PETG Shrink Sleeves for Global compliance as well as environmental reasons.

And this transition always brings out a lot of queries and hesitation before you reach out to find the right vendor, film grade and infrastructure.

If you too are considering making this shift, here are some essential considerations which will make this transition easier for you –

1. Shrinkage Curve Graph of PETG
The most important consideration while making PVC to PETG transition is the Shrink Force. A shrink curve analysis will tell you at what temperature a certain percentage of shrinkage happens for the shrink sleeve.

Remember, the comparison of Shrink Initiation Temperature and the Peak Shrinkage Temperatures of PVC shrink sleeve and PETG shrink sleeve is the main difference between the two shrink films.

Most containers and hot air Shrink tunnels are adjusted to run for PVC sleeves. To make it easier for PETG to run on similar tunnels, the shrinkage curve of PETG must closely resemble that of PVC, primarily in case of hot air tunnels.

2. Hot Air or Steam Tunnel
Steam tunnels are the easiest to convert from PVC to PETG sleeves. Steam provides more uniform heat across the tunnel chamber as compared to a hot air tunnel. For steam tunnel, switch to any grade of PETG can be done immediately.

But again, if you are using PETG for a high shrinkage application, such as the neck of a full-body shrink sleeve for a bottle, it is essential to adjust the steam nozzles on the neck area. Doing so will enable you to achieve better shrink results where a higher shrinkage is required.

3. Shrink Force
Shrink force refers to the force exerted by the shrink film on the walls of the container when the film shrinks in the heat tunnel.

This characteristic is important to understand because the sleeve may try to de-form or de-shape the container upon shrinking.

It is especially true if the container has thin walls, low or no ribs. A low shrink force PETG film is recommended for thin-walled containers to replace PVC sleeve.

4. Ambient Temperature and All-Weather Trials

HDPE and PP containers expand or contract, depending on the temperature. So a sleeve may give different results on such containers based on the weather. Hence, the recommendation is to have trials and machine adjustments in all kinds of extreme weathers.

5. Hot Melt / HAL
A vertical hot-melt strip in PVC sleeve is generally alright. But in PE/PP container with PETG Shrink sleeves, a vertical Hot Melt might create wrinkles, if there is even a minor looseness with the container wall.

In such cases, HAL gives better results when using PETG sleeves on HDPE and PP containers. HAL can be applied anywhere where we are unlikely to observe looseness.

6. Sources of PETG
In general, the availability of PETG is better as compared to CAST PVC. In India itself, you will find multiple PETG manufacturers and many high-quality manufacturers in countries around India such as Thailand, China and Taiwan, etc.

CAST PVC is mostly a generic film available with most manufacturers. Different makes of CAST PVC have mostly common properties and is easily replaceable with each other. However, in the case of PETG, each manufacturer has different grades of PETG sometimes even for the same applications, but the difference among them might be more as compared to PVC vendors.

Hence, if you are going for multiple vendors of PETG shrink sleeves, it is imperative to have proper trials with all grades of PETG manufactures.

7. Container Strength
Keeping in mind the shrink force of the shrink film, the container strength is another important aspect you must look into while converting from PVC to PETG sleeves. And this is especially true in the case of hot air tunnels and a thin-walled container.

8. Stiffness of Film
PETG shrink film is stiffer and harder than PVC. So, it is a must to have proper trials when you are using the material in roll form as the stiffness might hinder the machine’s ability to run correctly.

Also, a higher thickness of PETG film has more stiffness and can create crackling sounds after shrinking, when the bottle squeezes. So, do keep that in mind to avoid problems later on.

Now many of us are shifting from 40 mic to 50/55 mic shrink sleeves due to latest PWM rules. While opting for a higher thickness of PETG, such as 50/55/60 µm, do keep in mind a critical aspect that PETG has higher initiation temperature and is stiffer than PVC. Note that PETG may require a high temperature which might affect the results.

9. BEHAVIOUR OF PETG SHRINK SLEEVES, BASED ON THE CONTAINER
MATERIAL

1. PET Bottles or containers using PVC Sleeves are the easiest to switch to PETG.

2. HDPE containers showcase properties of Thermal Expansion. Simply put, HDPE containers expand when heated and contract when cooled. So when we shrink PVC on an HDPE container, the PVC Sleeve shrinks at low temperature (which is before the container starts to expand.)

When we shrink most grades of PETG sleeves on an HDPE container, the container starts to expand before the PETG sleeve begins to shrink. As a result, the PETG sleeves shrink on the expanded container, primarily due to the difference between Shrink-Initiation temperatures of PVC and PETG.

So when the container cools down to its original size, the PETG sleeve will start showing looseness and wrinkles. It’s why factors like the grade of PETG, shrinkage curve and quality of shrink tunnel are very important.

3. Most thin-walled PP containers behave similarly to HDPE containers, in terms of
their thermal expansion, so similar precautions are necessary.

4. Glass Bottles and Jars generally require a full-body sleeve whenever a higher
shrinkage is desirable.

In such cases, PETG is the ideal choice due to its higher shrinkage percentage compared to PVC. However, do take into account that it can easily shrink with any grade of PETG but a proper shrink tunnel is required for using hot air. Any air trapped in the sleeve  and glass surface will create wrinkle, which is not easy to remove.

5. HIPS are mostly used for Yogurt and Dahi Cups.
Such cups usually have thin walls which can get deformed due to a high shrink force of PETG. You can reduce the temperature to reduce the force of the shrink film on the cup walls, but this may cause uneven shrinkage or wrinkles.

Here, the suggestion is to use low shrink force or medium shrinkage PETG.
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This article is based on the practical and hands-on research we have done while working on numerous client projects – helping them convert their PVC sleeves to PETG sleeves while using their existing Shrink Tunnel infrastructure.

I hope it will help you plan your move from PVC to PETG shrink sleeves. In case you need an expert opinion, feel free to reach out to me by booking a discovery call at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

Written by
Chetan Jain
Author | Packaging and Shrink Sleeve Expert | Entrepreneur

ALSO READ: PVC or PETG – Breaking The Myths

22 Sep
Taurus Packaging

EXTENDED COLOUR GAMUT PRINTING – A REVIEW

Are you looking for ways to enhance your printing performance, get an exact colour shade and maintain colour consistency in all your branding efforts while saving money? The Extended Gamut Printing Method may be just what your business needs.

WHAT IS EXTENDED COLOUR GAMUT PRINTING (ECG)?
ECG is the methodology of introducing three additional ink colours, namely Orange, Green and Violet (OGV) to the CMYK Process Colours, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black during printing.

Adding the extra colours extends or expands the range of colour printing and helps to reduce the overall dependence on spot colours. The resultant printed images are a lot more vivid with negligible colour difference.

WHY DO WE USE ECG & HOW DOES IT WORK?
The ECG Printing Method is primarily used to work around the limitations of CMYK colours and custom spot colours.

Considering that every brand/customer has a highly specific shade or colour preference, finding that perfect shade can be a challenge and often requires using many different pantones and increasing costs of buying/matching and retaining these pantones.

Even though using spot colours with CMYK colours can widen the available colour range for printing, using separate pantones for each customer is a costly and prolonged task. You always have to maintain a good stock of colours and bear the wastage of ink, etc.

What’s more, when working with special colours, you can’t perform multiple jobs on the same colour palette. All these issues are handled well by using the ECG format.

In the Extended Colour Gamut Printing Method, we add Orange, Green and Violet inks to the traditional CMYK ink set and printing begins. Next, inks are overlapped to get the desired shade and the job is done!

BENEFITS OF EXTENDED COLOUR GAMUT PRINTING
Here are some top benefits of the ECG printing method –

  • Faster and more efficient printing.
  • Impactful and superior print quality with greater colour consistency.
  • Ability to match up to 95% of colours from the pantone guide and get the desired shade.
  • Easier to work on back-to-back printing.
  • Reduces wait time on account of colour mixing and cleaning between print jobs.
  • Eliminates wastages caused by unused inventory.

The Extended Colour Gamut Printing format is quickly becoming the preferred choice for printers, packaging experts, brands, and designers alike. No wonder, the future of Extended Colour Gamut Printing looks promising.

Do you have a question about the ECG method? Feel free to get in touch with me and I will be happy to assist you.

Written by
Chetan Jain
Author | Packaging and Shrink Sleeve Expert | Entrepreneur

01 Aug
Shrink Sleeves, Taurus Packaging

Introducing new cutting-edge machines at Taurus- Bigger, Better & Faster

Taurus Packaging Makes History with the Installation of India’s First-Ever Fully Dedicated In-Line Bobst Hardware for Shrink Sleeves.

We are pleased to announce the virtual inauguration of two of the most cutting-edge hardware up-gradations at Taurus, the 9-colour Bobst M5 Flexographic Machine and 10-colour Pelican Rotogravure Printing Machine.

The Bobst Press is the first and only in-line machine in India dedicated completely for manufacturing shrink sleeves.

What’s more, the new Rotogravure with highly advanced customisations and is one-of-its-kind 10-Colour Pelican ever built for creating versatile and durable shrink sleeves.

With these latest additions, we are now producing both, the smallest and the largest order volumes in shrink sleeves across India and honouring diverse order quantities with ease.

These machines are successfully churning out never-seen-before and perhaps never-heard-before innovations for shrink sleeve customers, making them an important cog in our ground-breaking H.I.P. Framework.

Even though we could not plan a bigger launch due to the ongoing situation, this is a milestone day for us. We are bigger, faster and we just made shrink sleeves a lot better.

Taurus Packaging is now India’s largest shrink sleeve manufacturer and we are already creating the records for the fastest time-to-market deliveries for shrink sleeves.

On this happy occasion, I would like to thank our valued customers and clients for always showing tremendous trust and faith in us. Your unwavering support that motivates us to always strive towards excellence.

We can’t wait for you to experience the amazing benefits of these new installations. To discuss the possibilities and for more details, do get in touch!

19 Jun
Shrink Sleeves, Taurus Packaging

Go Small – Importance of Short-Runs

Do you see a regular tiff with your printer over the MOQ’s? Printers refuse to accept lower quantity printing due to certain limitations. This is true. The traditional rotogravure printing method has limitations. There are a certain setup time and wastage to match colours. This time, wastage, low productivity comes at a cost that is then passed on to the customers. Additionally, high cylinder cost for low volumes certainly doesn’t help.

But imagine if you have a pilot launch, or want to test market a product or have multiple low volume SKUs, and you are stuck with the situation of buying high volumes and pay up for cylinders cost!
Shrink sleeve industry has been coping with this volume requirements or end up using the other labeling alternatives. This compromise has been a bottleneck for too long.

Solution
Introduction of Hybrid Sleeves using the H.I.P. Framework has changed the way you buy sleeves at any volumes. Yes, you read it right. Be it 100 sleeves or 10,000 sleeves. You can get it at a very optimum cost and that too without investing in the expensive cylinders. This saves so much of additional inventory, and MOQ tussle.

Advantages of Low Volumes
• Test market your product in a smaller market before bigger launch
• Small batch allows freedom to make changes in design for next purchase as per market and sales’ feedback
• Shrink sleeve comes with a shelf life. Don’t keep inventory more than your requirement
• You can develop more SKUs and variants without worrying about high inventory

This is how short-runs can help you to save your time and cost along with resulting in the creation of the quality products.

H.I.P. Framework is the future of shrink sleeves.

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