18 Shrink Label Manufacturers in 2022
This section provides overview, applications, and principles of shrink labels. Also, please take a look at the list of 18 shrink label manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is a Shrink Label?
Shrink labels are labels that shrink when heated. Because they conform to uneven or curved shapes, they are used to label beverage and cosmetic containers and to seal samples.
A typical application for shrink labels is for labeling plastic bottles. Shrink labels processed into a cylindrical shape are placed over PET bottles and heated to make them adhere. Since the surface of the shrink label can be printed with text or photographs, the label's design can be changed to add variation to the appearance of the container.
Uses of Shrink Labels
Shrink labels are suitable for PET bottle labels because they shrink when heated and conform to uneven surfaces. Since it is difficult to print pictures and text directly on PET bottles' surfaces, printing on shrink labels and attaching them to PET bottles are used. This method is more efficient than printing directly on the container because the design of the PET bottle can be changed simply by switching the shrink label.
The heat-shrinking properties can also be used to protect samples. Available in a variety of materials, chemical-resistant polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products are also available.
Features of Shrink Labels
Shrink labels are available in OPS (biaxially oriented polystyrene), PET, PS, PE, PVC, etc. OPS and PET are mainly used for beverage and cosmetic packaging labels, with C.I. Kasei and Toyobo accounting for the top domestic production volume of OPS and PET, respectively.
When used as a label for PET bottles, a photograph or text is first printed on the surface, and then the label is processed into a cylindrical shape. During the packaging process for PET bottled beverages, the cylindrical shrink label is placed over a plain PET bottle and passed through a warm air tunnel. Exposure to heat causes the shrink label to shrink and conform to the unevenness and curves of the PET bottle.
When used to wrap samples, a sheet product sold under the trade name "shrink film" is used. The film shrinks and seals the sample by wrapping the sample and heating it with a hair dryer. The following points should be noted when using shrink film to protect samples.
1. Heat Resistance of the Sample
There is a possibility that the sample may be degenerated by heat during heating and shrinking. Check the specification sheet for the temperature required to shrink the shrink film, and check if it is safe to add that temperature to the sample before working with the film.
2. Film Material
General PET and OPS can be used for water resistance, but PVC is recommended for chemical resistance.
Printing on Shrink Labels
Some shrink labels have a surface finish that allows printing on office laser or inkjet printers. Such shrink labels can be used to produce small quantities of original labels.
However, since shrink labels are colorless and transparent, they will show through even when printed in color. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful not to use unintended colors or to make the text difficult to read. As a countermeasure, there is a technique to make contrast and text clearer by applying a base coat of white ink. To print on a home or office printer, follow the steps below.
- Create the image data you want to print in separate layers, and add a white-filled layer to the bottom layer. If you want to make a part of the illustration transparent, leave only the part to be transparent without painting it white.
- Set the shrink label on the printer and print only the base layer.
- Re-insert the shrink label into the printer and print the layers other than the base layer.
Shrink Label by Machine
To shrink the shrink labels, it is necessary to apply warm air, heating elements, or hot water. It is important to note that the equipment used and the temperature required will vary depending on the method of applying heat. The types of machines that can be used to shrink the shrink labels, the heat required, and their advantages and disadvantages are listed below.
1. Water Bath
Water is heated in a water bath with an electric heating wire, and once the water temperature reaches 90°C, the shrink labels are immersed and contracted. The advantage of this method is that the area immersed in hot water can be heated evenly, but it cannot be used for items that should not be exposed to water because the shrink label will get wet.
2. Heat Sealing
The temperature is set at around 100°C, and the shrink label is sandwiched between the crimped parts. The advantage of this method is that the crimped area can be reliably heated. It should be noted that heat cannot be applied to the entire surface of the film, and excessive heating may cause the label to melt.
3. Hair Dryer
Although some products can be shrunk with a hair dryer, a high-temperature dryer for shrink labels is usually used to apply heat at 160 to 180 °C. The advantage of this method is that it is easy to operate. The disadvantage is that it is difficult to apply heat evenly.
List of 18 Shrink Label Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Multi-Color Corporation
Shrink Sleeve Labels
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Resource Label Group, LLC
Shrink Sleeve
-
-
Shrink Label Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of January 2023 in United States
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FOCUSales, Inc. | 33.3% |
| 2 | Specialty Printing and Processing | 33.3% |
| 3 | JT Industries, Inc. | 33.3% |
Ranking as of January 2023 Globally
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FOCUSales, Inc. | 33.3% |
| 2 | Specialty Printing and Processing | 33.3% |
| 3 | JT Industries, Inc. | 33.3% |
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the shrink label page as of January 2023. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Resource Label Group, LLC: 1,900
Newly Established Company
- Pack Leader USA, LLC.: 2010 (13 years ago)
- Resource Label Group, LLC: 1991 (32 years ago)
- Contract Labeling Services: 1991 (32 years ago)
Company with a History
- Multi-Color Corporation: 1916 (107 years ago)
- Century Label.: 1980 (43 years ago)
- Traco Manufacturing, Inc.: 1985 (38 years ago)
Related Products
Search from All Categories
This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you are a resident of another country, please select the appropriate version of Metoree for your country in the drop-down menu.