Shrinking To Expand

Pressure sensitive labels have messaging limitations that may require brands to use additional labels to communicate key messages. By utilizing the entire moldable shape of a container, brands are seeing upwards of 60% more coverage, providing the necessary real estate to convey important messaging.

About the Application

Traditionally an application dominated by gravure and wider-web converters, the narrow-web market is beginning to experience accelerated growth in shrink application as run lengths across all markets continue to reduce in size.

Becoming more prevalent in end-use segments like food and beverage, personal care and bulk product packaging, shrink has also maintained its prominence in the pharmaceutical and security sector by providing tamper-proof seals.  

Benefits of shrink sleeves for brands:

-Nearly 360 degrees of container coverage for maximum brand messaging

-Capability to add tamper-evident seals with cohesive branding

-Eco-friendly labeling

-Reverse print results in lower risk of label tarnish

-Suited for both short and long runs

What does that mean for converters? According to industry leader AWA, shrink sleeves account for roughly 18% of the global label market with continued growth anticipated. There is a clear path for profit through the application, both with flexographic printing and digital inkjet.