POF shrink film: properties and application

POF shrink film is a clear polyolefin film that shrinks tightly around products when exposed to heat in a shrink tunnel or beneath the hood of a heat shrink machine. It is centre-folded, forming a half tube along its length, which is the format required by L-sealers. The film listed here is 15 microns thick and comes in widths of 200, 500 or 550 mm. Roll length is 1259 m for the 200 mm width and 1335 m for the 500 mm and 550 mm widths.

Polyolefin shrink film is transparent, so the contents remain visible after heat shrinking.

Each width can be selected individually on the product page.

Shrink film is stretched during manufacture. When heat is applied, the film contracts and forms a tight seal around the item. This process protects the product from dust and keeps grouped items together.

Compared to PVC, POF remains flexible at low temperatures and contains no chlorine, so sealing does not produce the corrosive fumes associated with PVC shrink film. PE shrink film is thicker and intended for heavier bundles, such as bottles. POF is typically used for single items or small groups, including boxes, cosmetics, books, printed materials and toys.

Polyolefin shrink film shrinks both along its length and across its width. This ensures a snug fit on all sides of the package, not just the top and bottom. The degree of shrinkage depends on the temperature of the hot air in the tunnel or under the hood, so the tunnel or hood temperature is set for the film, not the product inside.

Once polyolefin shrink film has been shrunk, it cannot be shrunk again. If a pack emerges with a burnt area, an incomplete seal or a hole, it cannot be repaired by reheating. The film must be removed and the item rewrapped with fresh film.

Compatible machines for this shrink film

POF shrink film is specified as the film type on every shrink wrapping machine page in our shop. The T5040 accepts POF film 0.015–0.019 mm thick and up to 570 mm wide, the T4535 takes POF 15–25 microns and 100–550 mm wide, and AUTOSHRINK uses POF 0.01–0.03 mm and 200–550 mm wide. The B4255 accommodates POF rolls up to 250 mm across and 600 mm wide. The 15 micron film in all three widths fits within the ranges for T5040, T4535 and AUTOSHRINK.

The F7060 and A450 machines can use either POF or PVC film, while the V4530 tunnel shrinks POF or PE film that has been sealed around the product.

Machines compatible with this film include the B4255, F7060, T5040, T4535, A450, the V4530 tunnel, SHRINKCOMBO and AUTOSHRINK.

Like the B4255, AUTOSHRINK accepts rolls up to 250 mm across (see its manual). The F7060 and A450 product pages do not specify film thickness.

The V4530 is a tunnel that shrinks POF or PE film after a sealer, such as the A450 in the SHRINKCOMBO, has sealed the film around the product. Before your first order, please specify your machine in a Get offer or Add to inquiry request on the product card, and we will confirm the roll is suitable.

According to the A450 manufacturer’s manual, the film thickness range is 0.015 to 0.10 mm, making the 15 micron film the thinnest listed for this model. This matches the minimum thickness specified for the T5040 and T4535.

The product size must also be compatible with the machine, not just the film. The B4255 has a sealing area of 420 × 550 mm and can handle products up to 200 mm high. The F7060 offers a sealing size of 700 × 600 mm. The T5040 provides a sealing area of 500 × 400 mm, and the A450 can pack items where the sum of width and height is less than 420 mm. For AUTOSHRINK, the maximum pack size is 500 × 400 × 120 mm, with width plus height up to 400 mm. If using a tunnel, ensure the wrapped pack fits the tunnel entrance: 450 × 230 mm for T5040 and 450 × 250 mm for AUTOSHRINK. The V4530 tunnel can take products up to 1400 × 350 × 200 mm.

Film types and sizes for each machine

The table below lists our shrink wrapping machines with the film type, thickness and width as stated on each machine’s page. Use this to check which shrink film sizes are suitable for your machine.

To use the table, first locate your machine in the left column. Then compare the film type, thickness and width listed for that machine with the POF shrink film on this page: 15 microns thick, in widths of 200, 500 or 550 mm. If a cell states see the product page, that machine’s page does not specify a figure. For the SHRINKCOMBO, which combines the A450 side sealer and the V4530 tunnel, the A450 row determines the film to use, as the tunnel only shrinks film that has already been sealed.

Choosing the right shrink film width and thickness

To select the correct film width, measure the largest item you intend to pack: width, height and length. The film must wrap around both the width and height of the product, leaving enough extra for sealing. The product’s length determines how much film is used for each pack.

If the film is too narrow, it will not close properly around the product, or the seal may open as the film shrinks. If the film is too wide, you will have more waste trim, which is film paid for but not used. A 200 mm width suits small items, while 500 mm and 550 mm widths are for larger products or groups. The best width is found by trial packing on your machine.

The 15 micron film is thin and suitable for lightweight products with smooth surfaces. Heavier items or those with sharp edges require a thicker film, which is less likely to puncture, but only 15 micron film is available here. To calculate how many packs you can make from a roll, divide the roll length—1259 m for 200 mm, or 1335 m for 500 mm and 550 mm—by the amount of film used per pack. This is the product length plus the extra needed in front and behind for sealing.

When packing a group of items together, measure the whole group as a single block, arranged as they will be on the machine. The film wraps around the outside of the group, not each item individually.

When calculating film used per pack, always include the height as well as the length. For the A450, the manufacturer’s manual recommends leaving a length of film in front of and behind each product equal to about the product’s height. This means a tall item will use more film than a flat one of the same length. If your products vary greatly in size, using only one film width for all often leads to excess trim on smaller items. In many cases, using 200 mm film for small products and a wider film for larger ones helps reduce waste and cost.

How shrink film moves through the machine

The machine first seals the film around the product. Sealing time and temperature must be matched to the film: too long will burn the sealing blade and the film, too short will result in a weak seal or uncut film.

After sealing, the pack enters a tunnel or remains under the hood. In a tunnel, temperature and belt speed are set according to the film. POF shrink film requires a higher tunnel temperature than PVC. The B4255 and F7060 use a needle wheel to pierce the film so air can escape as it shrinks. If air cannot escape, the seal may open.

With an L-sealer and tunnel, such as the T5040 or T4535, the product is first enclosed in film. The L-shaped sealing bar then seals and cuts the film around the item. After sealing, the pack moves onto a conveyor and passes through the tunnel, where hot air shrinks the film tightly around the product.

In a chamber or hood machine like the B4255 or F7060, sealing and shrinking take place in the same area. For side sealers such as the A450 or AUTOSHRINK, the machine seals along the sides and across the front and back of each item, then a tunnel shrinks the film.

A cold machine will require a longer sealing time for the first few packs.

On the F7060, set the shrink temperature between 100 and 150 °C and the sealing time between 0.4 and 0.6 seconds, depending on the film type and thickness.

For the B4255, find the correct sealing time by running two or three empty cycles, then gradually increasing the time until the film seals and cuts cleanly. Use the shortest time that gives a proper seal for production. Preheat the machine by lowering and raising the hood two or three times before starting the first pack.

On the V4530 tunnel, preheat the tunnel before starting. Begin with the belt speed set to the middle of its range, then find the tunnel temperature that shrinks the film at that speed. Once the correct temperature is found, note it for future use with the same product. If you need to increase the belt speed, also raise the temperature. On the T4535, always place the product in the centre of the conveyor under the sealing arm, set the guide rails to the product width, and ensure the film feeds straight. This keeps the film even on both sides of the pack.

Common shrink film faults and their causes

Typical faults in shrink film packs include dog ears, holes, wrinkles and ballooning. Dog ears are corners of film that stick out, caused by too little heat or too much film around the pack. Holes or burn-through are due to excessive heat or a belt running too slowly. Wrinkles and loose film result from insufficient heat or a belt running too fast.

A ballooned pack or an opened seal means air could not escape during shrinking. Change one setting at a time and check a test pack before starting a new run.

Using a narrower film or increasing the tunnel heat helps reduce dog ears.

A weak seal or uncut film indicates the sealing time is too short. If the sealing wire smokes, the sealing time is too long for the film, or there is film residue on the wire.

If film residue builds up on the sealing wire or blade, it causes smoke and leads to poor seals. Clean the wire or blade immediately after sealing, while still hot, using a dry cotton cloth. Never scrape a Teflon-coated blade with metal or sharp tools, as this can damage the coating and cause the film to stick. The B4255, F7060 and A450 manuals all give this guidance.

On the F7060, if the fan is running but the film does not shrink properly, either increase the shrink temperature or lengthen the shrinking time. On the A450, if products touch each other on the infeed, they will be wrapped together as one pack. To prevent this, leave a gap between products so each is wrapped separately.

On the A450, raising the sealing temperature in one large step can damage the heating elements (manufacturer’s manual), so increase it gradually and check a pack after each adjustment. If a pack opens on one side only, check that the film is feeding straight before changing the heat. A crooked feed will leave less film on one side, making it likely to open during shrinking. When a fault occurs, keep one faulty pack and record the settings used. After each change, compare the next pack with the faulty one to see which adjustment solved the problem.

Storing shrink film rolls

Keep shrink film rolls in their box in a dry area, away from sunlight, heaters and hot equipment. Do not press or dent the film edges, as a damaged edge can tear or feed unevenly. Allow rolls from a cold store to reach room temperature before use. Always use the oldest rolls first.

Heat can start the shrinking process before the film is used.

Store film roll boxes off the floor, on a shelf or pallet, to prevent water from the floor or cleaning from reaching them.

When carrying a roll, avoid knocking the edges and never drop it on an edge. Before placing a roll on the machine, check both edges for damage. If the outer layer is damaged, cut it off rather than feeding it into the machine. After a shift, return a started roll to its box or cover it, as dust on the film will end up inside the clear pack. Mark the date of receipt on each box so the oldest rolls are easy to find and use first.

Factors affecting cost per pack

The cost of shrink film per pack depends on the width selected, the amount of film used for each pack, and the trim removed by the machine. The price for each width is displayed on the product card.

A narrower film for smaller products uses less material per pack; however, if the width is only just sufficient, there is a risk of open seals and packs needing to be rewrapped.

For a quotation, use Get offer, or use Add to inquiry to gather several products into a single request.

On side sealers, the trimmed film is collected as waste: the A450 uses a waste film wheel, while AUTOSHRINK features motorised scrap recovery. The size of the trim roll at the end of a shift indicates the amount of film wasted. By monitoring this, you can assess whether a narrower film would reduce material use or if machine settings can be adjusted to minimise trim.

The F7060 manual recommends using as little film around the pack as possible. To determine the actual cost per pack, count the number of packs produced from a full roll, including test packs. Divide the roll length by this number to find the true film usage per pack. This method provides a more accurate cost than simply using the product length and margin, as it accounts for film lost during setup and trimming.

Checklist before ordering shrink film

Before purchasing shrink film, review your machine and the film range in the table above. Calculate the number of rolls required based on your daily pack output and the film used per pack.

Plan storage for the rolls in a dry, cool area. The shrink film offered here is intended for products and small bundles. For wrapping entire pallets, use stretch wrap, which is available in a separate category.

Measure the smallest and largest items you pack, and make a test pack to confirm the correct film width. This helps prevent excessive trim or failed seals.

Before placing an order, ensure your product fits within the pack size specified on your machine’s page. If your machine uses a tunnel, also check that the wrapped pack will pass through the tunnel entrance. Decide whether a single film width will suit all your products, or if you require two widths for small and large items.

Maintain a settings sheet for each product, recording the film width, sealing time, sealing temperature, and for tunnels, the tunnel temperature and belt speed. This ensures the next production run starts with the correct settings. Order additional rolls based on the number of packs produced from the first roll, including test packs. Keep a spare roll of each width in use to avoid production stoppages if a roll runs out during a shift.

Questions about shrink film

Which machines in your shop are compatible with this shrink film?

All shrink wrapping machines in our shop specify POF film on their pages. The 15 micron film and all three widths fall within the film ranges for the T5040, T4535, and AUTOSHRINK. If you provide your machine model, we will confirm the roll is suitable before your first order.

Which shrink film width should I choose?

Select the width according to your product size. Use 200 mm for small items and 500 or 550 mm for larger products or bundles. Measure your product and allow space for the seal.

How many packs can I produce from one roll?

Divide the roll length by the film used per pack, which is the product length plus the margin at the front and back for sealing. The roll length is 1,259 m for 200 mm width and 1,335 m for 500 mm and 550 mm widths.

What does 15 microns mean for shrink film?

15 microns indicates the film is 0.015 mm thick. This is the lowest thickness specified for the T5040 and T4535 machines and is suitable for lightweight products with smooth surfaces.