Shrinkit, Inc.'s Shrink Wrap Blog

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Turn Up the Heat!

When it comes to shrink wrapping, the quality of your chosen heat tool is almost as important as the quality of the shrink wrap used. To accurately compare heat tools there are several features to consider: BTU output, weight, ergonomically designed and safety features.

The weight and design of the heat tool work together for the comfort of the user. Shrinkit carries several models of heat tools that weigh just three pounds or less! A lightweight tool with an ergonomically designed ignition system will allow a shrink wrapper to complete shrink wrap jobs quickly and comfortably.

The power of the heat tool in use can greatly affect the speed, efficiency, and quality of the shrink wrap job. Experienced shrink wrappers may prefer to use high powered heat tools like the Shrinkfast 998. The Shrinkfast 998 puts out an impressive 245,000 BTUs at only 18 pounds of gas pressure. This is a powerful heat tool and can quickly shrink a shrink wrap cover. Less experienced shrink wrappers may find it more comfortable to shrink covers slightly slower; for these users Shrinkit also carries the new Rapid Shrink. The Rapid Shrink produces 70,000 BTUs and will allow an inexperienced shrink wrapper to move slowly over the plastic without producing holes or weak spots. A powerful heat tool can increase speed but a less powerful heat tool can increase neatness for less experienced users.

There are several safety features available for the Shrinkfast 998. One of these safety features is a UL Guard which is an attachment for the gun that prevents users from heating too close to the object. Another safety feature for the Shrinkfast is the double ignition trigger. The gun has two triggers preventing the heat tool from accidentally firing.

For more information on any of these products or features please contact our staff at 908.486.3553. Finding the right heat tool can make a difference in the quality of your shrink wrap covers. We would be happy to help you in choosing the right heat tool for your needs. Wrap something today!

Posted by sales@dr-shrink.com at 12:40 PM | 0 comments

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Choosing the Right Shrink Wrap for you!

When shrink wrap shopping it can be a little difficult to weed through all the options and features to find your perfect roll. You obviously don’t want to end up with a roll that is too small for your object, but it can also be frustrating to end up with an unnecessarily large roll.

The first thing to do is measure your object! Take a good look at the object you are preparing to cover and ask yourself how far down do I want this cover to go?
Consider the purpose of the cover. Is it for storage or transportation? If it is for transportation you will want to ensure you design the cover in a way that will not catch air. Once you have envisioned your cover, measure from where you want your cover to start to the center/ top of the object. Don’t forget to consider a support structure in the added height if necessary. Double this figure to find the width, add one foot to the width for the heat weld, then just round this number up to your nearest available shrink wrap roll width.
Once you have found the roll width, simply choose a length that is convenient for you. (Shrink wrap rolls can sometimes be large and bulky to handle. Consider purchasing a film roller to hold your roll while installing.) We will be blogging about these options and more soon!
Consider your climate when choosing your shrink wrap color; for more help with this please read Shrink Wrap Features and Benefits.

Posted by sales@dr-shrink.com at 1:38 PM | 2 comments

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

The Features and Benefits of Shrink Wrap

Today we wanted to highlight some of the features and benefits of shrink wrapping. To begin the key features of shrink wrap are color and thickness. These features play an important role in choosing the right roll of shrink wrap for your specific job.

The first feature of shrink wrap to consider is the color. Shrink wrap is frequently seen in blue, white, and clear. Each of these colors has a task specific purpose. Blue shrink wrap attracts sunlight and will get warmer allowing snow loads to melt and slide off. White shrink wrap reflects sunlight and maintains a more consistent temperature, reducing sweating and moisture build up. It is commonly seen in sunny climates. Clear shrink wrap is great in retail—it allows the object to be protected and viewed simultaneously. It is also commonly used for greenhouses.

The second feature we would like to discuss today is the thickness. Shrink wrap is offered in mil thicknesses ranging from 6-12. These variations are once again task specific. In an upcoming blog we will delve further into the thought and purpose behind the options available and help guide you on how to choose the perfect roll of shrink wrap for your task.

There are many benefits to be gained with an innovative product like shrink wrap. One of the most important benefits shrink wrap provides is the protection it offers your valuables.

The various applications shrink wrap is used for is growing by the minute; boats, RVs, autos, machinery, scaffolding, construction, modular homes, disaster relief, packaging, and much more. Shrink wrap is able to provide premium protection to this diverse list because it is customizable. By conforming to the object it is protecting, shrink wrap is able to create a secure and waterproof cover, offering a level of protection alternatives such as tarps cannot compete with. In addition to being waterproof, the shrink wrap cover will also protect from UV damage and extreme weather conditions. Protect your valuables to extend their lifespan.

Not only does shrink wrap offer a higher level of protection it is also safer to use on your objects. With loose fitting covers you run the risk of chafing and leaking which could potentially scratch, stain, or damage your covered object. Shrink wrap hugs the object it covers so tightly that it will not rub or move against the object and chafe. The tightness of a shrink wrap cover is also more attractive in your yard!

Shrink wrap covers also have some handy accessories. You can apply vents to your shrink wrap cover to allow air flow without compromising the weatherproof protection. Zipper access doors are another great benefit to shrink wrap; these allow you to access your covered object without damaging the integrity of the cover—they are simple and easy to install.

The final benefit to shrink wrap is the cost. For all that a shrink wrap cover can offer, it is remarkably inexpensive. For less than $0.10 per square foot you can cover and care for your priceless possessions! The possibilities are endless. It just doesn’t make CENTS to not shrink wrap!

Posted by sales@dr-shrink.com at 9:16 AM | 0 comments

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Shrink Wrap 101

What is Shrink Wrap?

Shrink wrap is a plastic sheeting commonly used to cover and store objects. When learning about shrink wrap you will hear a multitude of terms used to describe it, one of which is polyethylene. Polyethylene is currently the most popular type of plastic; it is used in a range of densities to make a variety of products from plastic bags to underwater piping, and shrink wrap. This versatile product has an interesting beginning. In both 1898 and 1933, chemists accidentally invented polyethylene by springing leaks in their test tubes. These mishaps caused changes in pressure resulting in the formation of this new form of plastic. After the second occurrence, chemists began trying to replicate the pressure change. It wasn’t until 1935 that a process was developed. As the density technology continued to develop an additional feature was discovered. The polyethylene material is able to stretch when warmed, making a light plastic sheeting. When this sheeting is reheated and allowed to cool it shrinks, becoming dense and strong, and this is what we now know as shrink wrap.

In our upcoming blogs we will discuss the features of shrink wrap, the purpose behind those features, and how to choose the right wrap for you.

Posted by sales@dr-shrink.com at 11:12 AM | 0 comments

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

An Introduction to Shrinkit's New Blog

Shrinkit, Inc. takes pride in the information, education, and knowledge we provide our customers. This year we are excited to take our trainings and teachings to a new level! By subscribing to our blog you can have immediate access to all of our priceless shrink wrap tips, trainings, and advice. Our blog will allow you to listen, learn, and participate in a variety of different discussions and could have a positive impact in your shrink wrapping future.

Shrink wrap is a product that generates creativity. The applications are countless. Although it is most commonly associated with the marine and boating industry, it has also made a significant impression in shipping, storage, machine, scaffolding and construction industries. It won’t be long before shrink wrap is a common product found in all home garages and is used for weatherizing, protecting, and storing the average Joe’s possessions.

With this step, or leap, into the future we hope to make Shrinkit's wealth of knowledge and expertise available to our shrink wrap family. Our hope is to spark conversation and questions, find solutions, and spread growth and innovation. We welcome and encourage suggestions, inquiries, and ideas. We would love to hear what you’d like to see on our blog. Start talking and go wrap something!

Posted by sales@dr-shrink.com at 4:18 PM | 0 comments