PE Shrink Film: How to Choose the Right Thickness & Width

Choosing the right PE shrink film is not just about asking “how many microns?”.
A film that is too thick, too thin, or poorly matched to the machine can lead to:

• tearing during transport

• loose corners and ugly wrinkles

• higher material consumption and packaging costs

But when the film is engineered correctly, you get:

• stronger, safer bundles

• cleaner appearance on the shelf

• and real savings in material usage.

As an industrial producer of shrink films, we work with customized blends of LDPE and LLDPE to match different packaging lines and product weights — especially in beverage, food and general industrial packaging.

1. What determines the right shrink film?

Before choosing the thickness or width, consider these four factors:

1️⃣ Final bundle weight

Heavier packs require:

• higher tear resistance

• stronger shrink force

• reinforced corners

2️⃣ Type of application

PE shrink film is commonly used for:

• multipack bottled water and soft drinks

• canned products

• shrink over cartons

• light industrial parts

• pallet protection (shrink hood)

Each application has different technical requirements.

3️⃣ Transport & storage conditions

Export shipments, heat, vibration and repeated handling require more robust film — not necessarily thicker, but better engineered.

4️⃣ Shrink tunnel capability

Older tunnels vs. modern multi-zone tunnels perform differently.

Thicker films need:

• higher temperature

• or more time inside the tunnel

2. Practical thickness guide (microns)

Typical working range for PE shrink films:

30–100 microns, depending on product type.

Use this table as a starting point. Final approval should always be done by testing on the actual line.

3. Thicker doesn’t always mean stronger

Many buyers think:

“Thicker = better”

In reality, with the right blend of LDPE + LLDPE:

✔ equal strength
✔ better puncture resistance
✔ less material

can often be achieved at lower thickness.

This is where engineered formulations make a real difference — especially when material saving is a priority.

4. Choosing the correct film width

For center-fold (half-tube) film, a simple starting rule:

**Flat width ≈ (perimeter of the pack + height) ÷ 2

• 5–10% allowance**

More allowance for sharper edges, dense packs or high shrink tension.

Wrong width means:

• tearing

• wrinkles

• wasted material

5. “Comparing suppliers” is not enough

Many buyers search for:

• shrink film manufacturers

• PE shrink film suppliers

• buy shrink film directly from factory

Comparing prices helps —
but quality depends on far more than price:

• resin quality

• LDPE/LLDPE ratios

• process control

• consistency

• technical support before production

A tailored formulation, tested on your machine, always performs better than a generic product.

6. Checklist before ordering

Answer these questions and you will choose correctly:

1️⃣ Final bundle weight
2️⃣ Number of units per pack
3️⃣ Transport conditions (local / export)
4️⃣ Tunnel type and limitations
5️⃣ Required appearance (clarity / print)
6️⃣ Goal: durability or material reduction?

With this information, the right PE shrink film can be engineered for your line.

Conclusion

PE shrink film, when correctly designed, delivers:

• safer packaging

• cost optimization

• better visual appeal

Using engineered LDPE/LLDPE blends allows you to reduce thickness without compromising strength — and ensures stable performance on the line.