When choosing the right packaging machinery, one of the most common questions manufacturers ask is: Shrink Wrap vs Flow Wrap — which machine is best for which product? Selecting the wrong packaging method can lead to product damage, poor presentation, inefficiency, and higher costs. To optimise your production line, it’s essential to understand how each wrapping style works and the ideal product applications for both.
This guide breaks down the differences between shrink wrapping and flow wrapping so you can confidently choose the best solution for your business.
Shrink wrapping is a packaging process where a plastic film is loosely applied around a product and then heated. The heat causes the film to shrink tightly around the item, creating a clean, protective, and tamper-evident seal.
A product is placed inside or surrounded by shrink film.
The machine seals the film closed.
Heat from a heat gun or shrink tunnel causes the film to shrink around the product.
The result is a tight, form-fitting wrap.
Excellent product protection
Tamper-evident sealing
High-quality, tight finish
Suitable for irregular or uneven shapes
Great for multi-packs or bundling
Shrink wrapping is ideal for:
Bottles (bundling water, soft drinks, oils)
Boxes and cartons
Electronic devices
Cosmetics
Food trays
Multipacks
Hardware products
Books and stationery
If your priority is durability, tamper evidence, or bundling, shrink wrapping is usually the superior choice.
Flow wrapping—also known as horizontal flow wrapping—is a fast, efficient method of wrapping products in a continuous plastic film. The machine forms a tube of film around the product, seals the back, and then cuts and seals the ends.
Product is fed into the infeed conveyor.
Film is wrapped horizontally around the product.
A continuous seal forms on the back (“fin seal”).
Sealing jaws create end seals for individual packages.
High-speed packaging
Consistent, neat appearance
Ideal for mass production
Provides moisture and contamination protection
Lower material cost compared to shrink film
Flow wrapping is best suited for:
Chocolates and sweets
Baked goods
Snack bars
Biscuits and cookies
Soap bars
Small household items
Cosmetics and sachets
Medical products
If speed and efficiency are most important, flow wrapping is the preferred option.
| Feature | Shrink Wrap | Flow Wrap |
|---|---|---|
|
Packaging Method |
Heat shrink film around product |
Continuous horizontal film wrap |
|
Output Speed |
Moderate |
Very high |
|
Best For |
Bundling, protection |
Food items, high-speed production |
|
Finish |
Tight, form-fitted |
Pillow-type packaging |
|
Machine Cost |
Medium |
Medium to high |
|
Film Type |
Shrink film |
Flow wrap film (OPP, laminated film) |
Choosing between Shrink Wrap vs Flow Wrap comes down to your product type and production goals:
Your products vary in shape and size
You need tamper-evident packaging
You bundle multiple products
Appearance and protection are important
You require high-speed output
You produce uniform products
You want low-cost, efficient packaging
Your products are food items or small consumer goods
If you package both food and non-food products, many manufacturers use both systems on different production lines.
Not sure whether a shrink wrap or flow wrap solution is right for your business?
Our team at SA Packaging Machinery can help you find the perfect machine for your production line.
Shrink wrap uses heat to shrink film tightly around a product, while flow wrap wraps products in a continuous sleeve of film without shrinking.
Flow wrapping is significantly faster and ideal for high-volume packaging.
Yes. Shrink wrap offers better protection and a secure, tamper-evident seal.
They can, but flow wrapping is usually preferred for food—especially snacks and confectionery.
Entry-level shrink wrap machines are usually cheaper. However, flow wrap machines are more cost-effective for high-speed production.
