Shrink sleeves · stretch labels · flexible packaging films · laminates — engineered for brand owners, converters and co-packers who cannot afford to compromise on consistency.
Sleeve label films · flexible packaging rollstock · laminates · compostable structures. Trial roll to full container.
| Material | Thickness mic / mil | Width mm / in | Length/roll m | Shrink / Stretch | Core mm / in | Primary Application | Food Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PETG | 30–60 / 1.2–2.4 | 250–1300 / 10–51″ | 6–10,000 | 76 / 152 (3″ / 6″) | Shrink sleeve labels | Yes | |
| OPS | 35–55 / 1.4–2.2 | 250–1300 / 10–51″ | 6–10,000 | 76 / 152 (3″ / 6″) | Shrink sleeve, wrap-around | Yes | |
| PET | 30–60 / 1.2–2.4 | 250–1300 / 10–51″ | 6–10,000 | 76 / 152 (3″ / 6″) | Shrink sleeve label, packaging, lamination | Yes | |
| LDPE | 30–50 / 1.2–2.0 | 250–1300 / 10–51″ | 6–10,000 | 76 / 152 (3″ / 6″) | Stretch sleeve labels | Yes | |
| PLA | 30–60 / 1.2–2.4 | 250–1300 / 10–51″ | 6–10,000 | 76 / 152 (3″ / 6″) | Bio shrink sleeve, compostable packaging | Yes | |
| PO | 40–50 / 1.6–2.0 | 250–1300 / 10–51″ | 6–10,000 | 76 / 152 (3″ / 6″) | Polyolefin shrink sleeve, stretch labels | Yes | |
| PP | 15–80 / 0.6–3.2 | 300–1500 / 12–59″ | 3–8,000 | 76 / 152 (3″ / 6″) | BOPP flow wrap · CPP sealant · PPWR laminates | Yes | |
| PA | 70–200 / 2.8–7.9 | 200–1200 / 8–47″ | 1–5,000 | 76 / 152 (3″ / 6″) | PA/PE vacuum pouches · meat · cook-in · thermoforming | Yes |
* Custom thickness, width and core available on request. PP = BOPP/CPP grades. PA = PA/PE coextrusion. Full flexible packaging range including EVOH, MDO-PE, PBAT/PLA — see Materials hub.
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Technical guides, regulatory analysis and procurement intelligence for label converters, brand owners and co-packers.
2026-03-16 · 8 min read · Polimex Technical Team
The shrink tunnel is where your film specification is either validated or exposed. A PETG sleeve applied through an incorrectly configured tunnel will fish-eye, flower, wrinkle or over-shrink — creating defects that waste film, slow the line and damage the brand. Understanding the fundamental difference between steam and electric tunnels is the starting point for eliminating these defects.
Steam tunnels envelop the sleeved container in saturated steam at 100°C. Heat transfer is through condensation on the film surface — extremely uniform and gentle. The entire container heats simultaneously, which is ideal for complex container geometries where sequential heating would cause uneven shrink. The condensate also lubricates the sleeve during application, reducing friction defects.
Electric tunnels use infra-red emitters or forced hot air to heat the sleeve from the outside. Heat transfer is directional — zones closest to the emitters heat first. Temperature is typically 120–200°C but penetrates more slowly than steam condensation, making precise control critical.
| Factor | Steam Tunnel | Electric IR / Hot-Air |
|---|---|---|
| Shrink consistency | Excellent — omnidirectional | Good — requires careful zone calibration |
| Glass containers | Ideal — steam heats glass gently | Risk of thermal shock on thick glass |
| PET/PE containers | Good — but condensate can cause label slip | Excellent — no slip risk |
| Complex bottle profiles | Best — reaches all surfaces uniformly | Challenging at deep undercuts |
| Energy consumption | High — boiler required | Lower — direct electrical conversion |
| Line speed | High — suited to 200–600 BPM | Medium to high — 100–400 BPM typical |
| PLA film compatibility | Excellent — low activation temperature | Risk of over-heating at standard settings |
| Maintenance complexity | High — boiler, steam traps, condensate | Lower — periodic element replacement |
If your sleeves develop a wave at the top or bottom edge after application (the smile or frown), the root cause is almost always uneven heat distribution in the tunnel — typically caused by insufficient steam saturation, cold spots in an electric tunnel, or incorrect conveyor speed for tunnel length. The fix is not a film change — it is a tunnel calibration exercise.
Steam tunnels excel for glass containers and complex profiles. Electric tunnels suit PET/PE containers and lower-maintenance environments. Polimex technical team provides film-specific tunnel parameter recommendations for all grades. Contact: ops@polimexgroup.com