Shrink Film

Shrink Film for Commercial and Retail Packaging

Shrink film is a clear plastic film that is applied loosely over a product and then heated so it contracts and grips the shape underneath. The result is a tight, tamper-evident wrap that protects goods from dust and moisture and gives a clean, retail-ready finish. It is used across food processing, retail, manufacturing and fulfilment for bundling multipacks, sealing single items and presenting products on the shelf.

Premium Packaging supplies commercial-grade shrink film in two materials, POF and PVC, on rolls to suit manual and automated packing lines, delivered in bulk Australia-wide from our Sydney base. The right choice depends on what you are wrapping and how, so the two options are set out below.

POF or PVC: Choosing the Right Shrink Film

Both films shrink under heat and both give a clear finish, but they behave differently on the line and suit different products.

POF Shrink Film

Polyolefin (POF) is the modern, food-safe option. It stays flexible in cold storage, seals without releasing odour, resists punctures around edges and runs cleanly on automated lines with heat tunnels and L-bar sealers. It is the right choice for food products, multipacks and any operation that needs a durable, food-contact-suitable film with a premium retail finish. See the full specifications on the POF shrink film page.

PVC Shrink Film

PVC is the lower-cost option with a crisp, high-clarity finish, suited to non-food retail goods, printed products and general bundling where cost per unit is the priority. It shrinks at a lower temperature but is less flexible in cold conditions and is not intended for direct food contact. See the range on the PVC shrink film page.

As a general guide, choose POF where food safety, durability or cold-store handling matter, and PVC where the priority is a low-cost, crisp wrap for non-food retail goods. Our team can recommend the right film and gauge for your products and equipment.

What Shrink Film Is Used For

• Retail presentation, giving single items and multipacks a clean, tamper-evident finish for the shelf
• Bundling, holding multipacks and collated goods together securely for dispatch
• Product protection, sealing goods against dust, moisture and handling contamination
• Food packaging, using food-safe POF grades for wrapping food products and trays
• Printed and promotional goods, presenting brochures, stationery and gift packs cleanly

Shrink Film and Stretch Film Are Not the Same

Shrink film needs heat to contract around a product, while stretch film uses tension and cling to hold palletised loads together without any heat. They serve different points in the packing process, and ordering one when you need the other is a common mistake. The differences are set out in our guide to shrink wrap and stretch wrap. For securing and stabilising pallet loads, see pallet wrap and stretch film.

Order Shrink Film for Your Business

Choose POF for food-safe, durable wrapping or PVC for a low-cost retail finish, and order the roll width and gauge that suit your products and equipment. Premium Packaging supplies both films in bulk with recurring supply available, as part of the wider plastic packaging range. If you are not sure which film suits your operation, our packaging specialists can recommend the right specification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between POF and PVC shrink film?

POF (polyolefin) is food-safe, flexible in cold storage and seals without odour, making it the modern choice for food and durable applications. PVC is lower in cost with a crisp finish, suited to non-food retail goods and general bundling.

Which shrink film is food-safe?

POF shrink film is the food-safe option and is widely used for wrapping food products. PVC is not intended for direct food contact. Speak with our team to confirm the right food-grade specification for your application.

What is shrink film used for?

Shrink film wraps single products or multipacks with a clear, tamper-evident finish for retail, bundling and protection against dust and moisture. It is used across food processing, retail, manufacturing and fulfilment.

What equipment do I need to use shrink film?

Low volumes can be wrapped with a heat gun, while higher-throughput lines use an L-bar sealer with a shrink tunnel for a consistent finish at speed. Both POF and PVC work with this equipment.

Can I buy shrink film in bulk?

Yes. We supply both POF and PVC shrink film in wholesale and bulk quantities, with recurring supply available for regular reorders, delivered Australia-wide from our Sydney base.