Shrink Label Savvy

Material considerations:

Substrates and inks

The primary substrates used for shrink labels include PVC and PET/PET-G, with some OPS in use. SleeveCo also reports using some PLA (polylactic acid), a compostable film made from a corn base resin.

The selection of the substrate requires matching the shrink properties of the film with the shrink requirements of the specific application. This sounds pretty simple, but it involves many factors. "Aside from cost," says Kroner, "shrinkage requirements, shrink line layout/equipment, container design, container material, line speed expectations, and environmental issues also impact substrate selection."