Shrink Wrap Machine for Ready-Made Frames

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At a shop rate of $60/hr, shrink-wrapping is a costly thought. But you know that, so are Clear Bags an alternative?

You've raised a problem for which I think there is no feasible solution. One approach is to use all those leftover pieces of shrink film on photo frames, and do the work when you're shrink-wrapping art.
 
The "time" factor in shrink wrapping is not the sealing, but in the shrinking. My neighbors in the next bay have this machine - which is called a shrink wrap tunnel. The other advantage is that with folded film, this machine seals the other three sides in one motion.

Combination_shrinking_machine_L_bar_sealer_BBS4020_zps716af76a.gif


Here's one on ebay starting at $549 with 25 miunutes left. It's a steal! http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-Rite-706-...314?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c421584a

Seriously, Kirstie- since you already use subcontracted labor to assemble your frames, perhaps they would be willing to invest in this machine and shrink them for you (and others as well?) Or, with the labor savings alone, you could buy the machine and store it at their facility.

In the past, when I have needed a large quantity of parts either bagged or sealed, I used an industry that employed developmentally challenged individuals. You might find such a service in the Bay Area too.

Take a look at this group: http://cssforbusiness.com/production-centers/

Here's one in San Jose: http://www.hopeservices.org/productionservices.php
 
Try checking into stretch wrap rather than shrink wrap. There's a difference.
 
nikfrz said:
Try checking into stretch wrap rather than shrink wrap. There's a difference.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't use stretch wrap for packaging. That isn't it's intended purpose and the appearance wouldn't be very good. Shrink wrap is for packaging, stretch wrap is for binding.

Stretch_Wrap_Illustration.jpg
 
Larry Peterson said:
Be careful if buying one of these machines. Many of your frames will be too large for this. This one shows a capacity of 14" x 18". A whole lot of ready-mades are larger than this.
Click to expand...

If they are 8 x 10 easel back frames and smaller, this is the perfect machine for the application.

Kirstie- what is the size of what you are looking to package?
 
Then there's the issue of opening the wrap when the customer wants to "see what it looks like". I don't know about you, but many of our shoppers bring the prints in - the larger ones, starting at 8x10, and want to see it in the frame. The smaller ones way less.
 
I too have been thinking about this and am considering using the resealable clear plastic bags. There was a time when we shrink wrapped most of our custom projects. The customers seemed to really like this but as Rob mentioned it was too labor intensive.
 
We use bundle/stretch wrap for moving piles of frames and also on finished custom frames. It works fine for these purposes but wouldn't suit retail.

We set up and ran a shrink wrap tunnel (thankfully on a test basis) for our ready-mades and found that it had a negative impact on sales - although not fully conclusive our research indicated that people thought the frames we made in China (despite "NZ Made" logos).
 
I tried shrink wrapping photo frames for a while.

I found that More often than not I was ripping it off to "try" the customer's picture in it. It became a real waste.

But, if you're looking for something reasonably priced that does a good job, check out the Clearmount machine.
 
Pro-Pack

Kristie,
We bought a machine from these guys 15 years ago and it worked wonderfully until this year when we had to replace the heating element and rubber gaskets. I expect it to last 15 more years.
Our use is for ready made and sample sets. The rolls of shrink wrap run 150.00 or so and we go thru about 2-3 rolls a year as there is 500-750 feet per roll (estimated). They have both small and large volume machines made by an Italian company called Italdibipack or Dibipack.

Good luck,
Scott

Pro-Pack
5 Fir Court
Oakland, NJ. 07436
201-337-1001
 
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