Pricing factors for shrink sleeve packaging
What is a shrink sleeve packaging?
Shrink sleeve packaging is a type of label or full-body wrap made from a polymer film that is placed around a container (bottles, jars, cans, irregular shapes) and then heated so the film shrinks tightly to conform to the container’s shape. It provides a seamless, 360° printable surface for branding, product information, and decorative effects.
Film material: Common films include PVC, PETG, OPS, and polyolefin. Choice affects clarity, shrink properties, recyclability and cost.
Printed graphics: Artwork is printed onto the flat film using processes like rotogravure, flexography, or digital printing.
Sleeve: The printed film is formed into a tubular sleeve (usually by heat or ultrasonic sealing).
Application: The sleeve is slipped onto the container.
Heat tunnel / heat gun: Heat is applied so the sleeve shrinks and conforms tightly to the container surface.
Full-body coverage: 360
°
printable area, including over seams and recesses.
Fits complex shapes: Conforms to irregular curves, handles, and contoured surfaces.
High visual impact: Enables continuous graphics and special effects (metallics, gradients, photographic images).
Tamper-evident options: Shrink bands or tamper sleeves can seal caps/closures.
Durability: Good protection against scuffs, moisture and fading depending on film.
Material waste: Shrink film is typically single-use plastic (recyclability varies).
Equipment needs: Requires sleeve applicators and heat tunnels or guns for shrinking.
Cost: Higher tooling/printing setup costs for some volumes compared with standard pressure-sensitive labels, though economical at medium-to-high runs.
Not always ideal for very small runs unless digital printing is used.
What factors make up the price of shrink sleeve packaging?
For a shrink sleeve packaging manufacturer or supplier to calculate the unit price of a product, they must fully understand two factors: “flat size” and “material and thickness.”
What do these two main factors refer to?
Size
This refers to the full flat dimensions of the shrink sleeve packaging, i.e., the “width” and the “total flat length” (including the lap/overlap width).
Material and thickness
Material: This refers to the specific material used to make the shrink sleeve packaging.
Thickness: This refers to the total single-side thickness of the material used for the shrink sleeve, measured in microns.
Two types of unit pricing for shrink sleeve packaging
01/
Priced per kilogram
That is, how much per kilogram for shrink sleeves. This pricing method is based on “automatic sleeving rollstock” — each roll (300–500 meters long) is converted into kilograms (after deducting the core weight), and the cost of one roll divided by that weight gives the unit price.
02/
Priced per piece
That is, how much per piece for shrink sleeves. This pricing method is based on “each pre-cut shrink sleeve” and is a common quoting method used by shrink sleeve packaging manufacturers.
