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Heat-shrink tunnels can effectively process labels, sleeves or bands that conform to container shapes, offering companies packaging benefits ranging from tamper-evidence to 360-degree coverage, from brilliant graphics to efficient product flow. By automating what could prove a time-consuming process of hand-shrinking bands via use of hot-air guns, these devices offer tremendous labor savings not to mention consistent product appearance.
But not all heat tunnels are the same. Various types offer differing benefits, and realizing the strengths of each type—convective heat, radiant heat and steam heat—will enable companies to pair their needs to the right machine.
Many factors should be considered, including: film type used, container material, product inside the container, environmental concerns, and product temperature at the time of sleeve application.