Are you wondering how to use shrink wrap with a hair dryer? A shrink wrap bag is very handy when you want to seal or wrap some products like board games, books, disks, among others. This is also used to bundle items so that they fit into suitable-sized bags in rectangular or square shapes.
When you heat this clear wrap, it will shrink tightly fitted. Thereby, it will enhance the look of the merchandise. Starters are using this to reduce the risk of scratches, humidity damage, wear, or smudges on the product that is inevitable when shipped. This helps keep the good in good condition.
As such, when it arrives at the location, the product is still the same with no damages. Ensure that you are using the right bag type and the proper hair dryer. It would be best if you also considered different ways to achieve a clean and professional look.
Steps To Use Shrink Wrap With A Hair Dryer
Needless for you to wait any longer. I know you have been wanting to know the steps so you can get the job done, so follow the procedure below, and you will achieve a clean wrap. Take note that shrink wrapping with a hair dryer will only work best for small items in small quantities. Otherwise, you might want to get the right tool or invest in a wrapping machine. Nonetheless, the procedure is here for those who are looking for a quick and easy way to wrap something. Here are the steps on how to use shrink wrap with a hair dryer:
Step #1. Choosing the wrap
Although a hair dryer operated at 1800 wattage can be used to shrink polyvinyl chloride shrink wrap, optical fiber plastic wraps would require a heat gun for it to shrink. Unlike the former, the latter is safer to use with food. This is also approved by the FBA to be used in wrapping edibles.
Step #2. Packing your bag
When choosing a bag, ensure that it is a bit larger than the item you have to wrap. This will not only reduce waste, but it will likewise provide the right fit. That is because the wrap is only shrinking at about 40 percent after the heat has been applied.
If you have to wrap anything solid such as books, you need to play it upside down so that the cleaner edge will be placed on top. Then, the taped and folded side will be positioned at the foot. Do it like how you wrap a gift, folding the end onto the back. The fold should then be attached to the package using cellophane tape. If the items are in bundles, you need to cut a cardboard piece first and slip it inside the back so that it will serve as the base. This way, the package will become more stable.
Step #3. Applying heat
Once you close the bag, start applying heat at the edges of the bag. Use your hair dryer. Sweep it forward and backward. Hold your hair dryer only as near as necessary to achieve the shrink effect. Remember that heating it too long or holding the device too close will create a hole or damage the item. It would be best to heat starting from the edges so that the item will remain neat in place as you heat the flat areas afterward. Hold your hair dryer the same way, moving it forward and backward to complete.
Is It Ideal To Use Shrink Wrap With A Hair Dryer?
For a quick answer, yes, you can use a hair dryer. Essentially, the heat that hair dryers produce can shrink the plastic film. This is especially true for polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride. But, is it ideal to do it? That’s another story.
A hair dryer is not the proper tool to shrink plastic wraps. Even though you will use a heat gun – the more appropriate tool for mini shrinking film operations, it is still hard to obtain consistency.
When you use a hair dryer, the result will look a little bit loony. But more than that, more problems are expected in terms of consistency and quality. Problems like temperature issues, poor shrink, and constant tearing will likely occur. Not to mention the wasted money, materials, and time. Even with the different heat settings of a heat gun, you will still have issues with consistency. Most often than not, it would result in some tears, mainly when more heat is being applied to a particular spot.
Anyway, this article on how hair dryers work may be helpful to you!
It’s A Wrap!
So, to sum up, you can use a hair dryer for shrink wrapping, but the results would not be as impressive compared to the right tool which is the heat gun. But this can work for wrapping small products in small volumes. Don’t expect a professional result, but it can do the job. All in all, I hope for nothing but for you to have learned something on this post on how to use shrink wrap with a hair dryer. Have a happy wrapping day, folks! Thank you for being with me throughout the entire post.
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