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Eliminate Wrinkles and Webs |
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Wrinkles in the finished product occur for two reasons: - 1. An excess of surface area in the plastic, or
- 2. tall products spaced too close together.
In the first instance the problem can be solved by simply reducing the amount of preheat time in the film cycle. The drape or "belly" that the film has after being heated, but before lowering to the board should be about 2" for normal products. If your drape is more than 2" it creates extra surface area that results in wrinkles.
The second case is a bit more complicated. Because the film is trapped around the outside edges of the film frame, air is removed there first by the vacuum, resulting in a outside-in movement of the plastic vacuum cycle. The plastic will shrink in the shortest direction unit l a state of vacuum is achieved. The ideal direction is vertically, or down to the paper.
If however, two tall parts are too close together, this direction will be horizontally. This creates a "web" of plastic between the two products. This can be fixed by moving the parts farther apart. Another fix is to string a wire between two opposing sides of the top film frame that will run between the two products. The wire will drive down the plasic in between the products and ensure a acceptable seal. |
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Skin packaging is an inexpensive, effective way to display your product.
Why skin packaging rather than blister?
When your product hangs on a rack in the store, the first thing the consumer notices is your product when it’s skin packed.
If it’s in a blister, the first thing the consumer sees is the blister. Either way, if you don’t have to destroy the package
when removing the product, then it’s not an acceptable package. This is what carded packaging is all about!
Skin packaging provides product protection, product visibility and tamper evidence.
Skin packaging is extremely versatile because one piece of plastic can be drawn down around almost any shape, size or weight product. The plastic protects the product and the card backing from wear and tear. And since the product is immobilized, it cannot shift and multi-component products will not lose any of its pieces.
Skin packaging can be used to replace blisters, poly bags and folding cartons. In the industrial products protection segment, skin packaging can replace peanuts, cellulose wadding, bubble wrap, foam-in place, shredded paper and die cut corrugated. Low density polyethylene is the primary film used in the industrial protective packaging market.
The PROS of Skin Packaging
- Low Cost (cheaper than blisters)
- Versatility
- Sharp Card Graphics
- Machinery Easy To Operate And Maintain
- Excellent For Use In Shipping Areas.
The CONS of Skin Packaging
- Slower Cycle Time (20-50 seconds depending on the product and thickness of film)
- Scrap Waste (lack of recyclability)
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Spacing
When designing a skin pack sheet, it is important to remember that the position of the die cut will often move up to 1/8" during the cutting process. It is important to take this into account and allow for 1/4" between the edges of the card and any important graphics. Colors
Because skin board is a pourous, uncoated paper, inks do not print with the sharpness they do on glossy paper. When selecting colors from a Pantone Book, it's important to make sure all numbers end in "U" for uncoated. Colors printed on skin sheets will look slightly washed out and lack the vibrancy of brochures, for example. It is important to take this into account when designing artwork. |
- 1. Product is loaded onto a skin card and placed in the tray or skinning area of the machine.
- 2. A plastic film (Surlyn or skin packaging polyethylene) is pre-heated until it is softened and wrinkles are removed.
- 3. The plastic film drapes (hangs down) over the product on the supporting card.
- 4. The plastic film is drawn down tightly around the product using a vacuum pulled through the pores of the card.
- 5. The film is bonded to the surface of the card.
- 6. The post-heat applies heat to the film after it has been vacuum drawn over the product.
- 7. A cool-down cycle occurs. This is where the film reverts to a semi-crystalline solid plastic state.
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Product Placement and Cutting |
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Hanghole.
The hanghole should be centered over the product's center of gravity. Allow 3/4" clear space from the top of the card and 1.5" in width for sombrero type
holes.
Product Placement.
Please allow a minimum of 1/2" of space to the edge of card on all sides of product. This space allows room for the paper to bond to the product and
allows clearance for the blade when cutting. |
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Skin Packaging Info