| Shrink wrapping items protects them during transport, | | | | items, or large or irregular items, larger shrink wrap |
| but requires many pieces of equipment. To shrink | | | | systems are more practical. Sleeve shrink wrappers |
| wrap any small item, a sealing wand, film dispenser | | | | can handle differently shaped packages, continuous |
| with film, heat gun or tunnel are needed. Shrink wrap | | | | band sealers form a tight seal around many objects |
| systems simplify the process. | | | | quickly, and mail bagging systems can order and pack |
| For the home or small business, small shrink systems | | | | newspapers, boxes, or other items for shipment |
| are available to frame artwork or to package small | | | | quickly. Manual sealers typically cost around $7,000 |
| items. These cost between $300 and $500 and | | | | and automatic systems around $36,000. For added |
| provide all equipment needed for shrink wrapping small | | | | protection, vacuum sealers can remove the air from |
| items. Consider buying a straight bar sealer or an L-bar | | | | packages before sealing. Continuous band sealers are |
| sealer. Small shrink wrap systems can be used on a | | | | useful for containing easily spilled items. To complete a |
| tabletop and should include a durable sealing pad. Look | | | | large shrink wrap system, pair the sealer with an |
| for a system that is portable, can accommodate | | | | automatic heater that moves the items along a |
| different sizes and types of film, and can heat up | | | | conveyor belt to heat and shrink the film automatically. |
| quickly. When shrink-wrapping artwork or photographs, | | | | Shrink wrap heat tunnels cost between $2,000 and |
| you should look for acid-free or archival-quality shrink | | | | $16,000. |
| wrap film. Not all acid-free films are archival quality. | | | | Shrink wrap systems make shipping CDs, DVDs, |
| Avoid storing art in shrink wrap for long periods of | | | | books, newspapers, artwork, packages, or crates of |
| time. | | | | product simpler and cleaner, and are sold online by |
| For businesses that must shrink wrap hundreds of | | | | retailers and wholesalers. |