Which Shrink Sleeve Applicator is Right for Your Packaging Line?

If you scan the shelves at the store, you’ll notice that products are packaged in a variety of shrink-sleeve labels. Full body, multi-packs, tamper bands, even full body and cap sleeves. But how do you know which is the right sleeve for your product? In this blog, we compare AFM’s line of shrink-sleeve applicators and help you choose the right one for your line.

What are Shrink Sleeves?

Full-body shrink sleeves cover the entire container to create a 360-degree design from top to bottom. These sleeves can be used for single packaging or multi-packing. Multi-packing is when multiple containers are packaged together by utilizing a larger shrink sleeve. This type of packaging is often used when offering a two-for-one sale, packaging products to sell excess inventory, or when adding a new sample to an existing product.

Tamper-evident bands are also used to secure a product when a body label is not being applied. Because of the added layer of security it provides, this band is especially popular in industries like pharmaceuticals, health and beauty, and food and beverage.

Time to Pick and Choose

One of the first questions you should ask yourself is, what kind of shrink-sleeve label does the product need? This will help narrow down which shrink sleeve label applicator is chosen. If the packaging line is specifically designed for tamper-evident bands, then choosing a tamper-evident applicator like AFM’s CH-100 is the best option. Tamper-evident applicators are a great way to add an extra level of security to your product and give customers peace of mind while shopping.

If you’ve taken a tour of the AFM website, you noticed the LX series listed under shrink sleeve labelers. But what is the difference between them? Let’s break it down:

	LX-100	LX-150	LX-350
Labeling Speed	Up to 80 cpm	Up to 300 cpm	Up to 500 cpm
Film Material	PVC, PET, PETG, OPS	PVC, PET, PETG, OPS	PVC, PET, PETG, OPS
Film Thickness	35 – 70 microns	35 – 70 microns	35 – 70 microns
Film Lay Flat	40mm – 160mm	40mm – 240mm	50mm – 240mm
Cut Length	40mm – 200mm	30mm – 200mm	30mm – 200mm
Container Diameter	23mm – 100mm	23mm – 150mm	30mm – 150mm

If you are looking for an economy shrink sleeve applicator for low to moderate production rates, the LX-100 is the perfect match. The LX-100 has been engineered to handle oval and round containers made of plastic, glass, or metal at speeds of up to 80 products per minute. Designed for single-shift operation, the LX-100’s simple and low-maintenance design allows for quick film change and maximum uptime. The LX-100 is also a great option for applying tamper-evident bands.

If you are looking for a shrink sleeve applicator that will help minimize downtime and increase workflow, then AFM’s flagship product, the LX-150 is the ideal solution. The LX-150 can be rolled up to any conveyor to provide accurate shrink sleeve placement of up to 300 products per minute. The LX-150 comes with our quick-change system for switching mandrels with a turn of a knob.

Have the need for speed? Then AFM’s LX-350 can keep up. Designed for high-volume production rates, the LX-350 can accommodate up to 500 containers per minute. The LX-350 can accommodate any conveyor while the machine’s sturdy design and construction provide 24-hour operation.

All the equipment listed above is the perfect solution for industries including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, health and beauty, consumer goods, chemical, and other manufactured goods. Any way you look at it, AFM has a shrink-sleeve labeling solution for you.

For more information on shrink sleeves and the equipment used to apply the labels, visit the equipment section of our website and view AFM’s full line of sleeving solutions.