Shrink Sleeve Applicator

The Nexus shrink sleeve machine applies full-body shrink sleeve labels to bottles, jars, cans and containers of different shapes and sizes. The shrink sleeve applicator cuts a printed sleeve from the roll and drops it over the container, then a steam tunnel shrinks it to the container's contours for 360-degree decoration and a tamper-evident seal. Nexus supplies the applicator, the heat tunnel and the printed sleeves, and supports shrink sleeve labelling Australia-wide.

Also known as

• Shrink sleeve labelling machine or shrink label machine
• Sleeve labeller or sleeve applicator
• Sleeving machine or sleeving machinery
• Label shrink machine (the heat tunnel stage)

How it works

Printed sleeve film is supplied as a flattened tube on a roll. The applicator unwinds it, opens the tube over a mandrel, cuts each sleeve to length and fires it down over the container as it passes on the conveyor. The sleeve sits loosely at this point. The container then runs through a heat tunnel, where steam or hot air shrinks the film evenly onto the container's shape. Steam tunnels give the most even shrink on contoured bottles, which is why the Nexus system pairs the applicator with a steam tunnel as standard. The high-speed shrink sleeve applicator runs at up to 600 bottles per minute, with optional automatic roll splicing so a roll change does not stop the line.

Sleeve labels versus pressure-sensitive labels

A pressure-sensitive label is a printed adhesive label pressed onto one face of the container by a labelling machine. A sleeve label is a printed film tube that shrinks around the whole container. Choose sleeves when you need the full surface for graphics, when the container is contoured or tapered so a flat label would wrinkle, when you want tamper evidence built into the label, or when the same label has to cover the cap and neck. Choose pressure-sensitive labels for simple cylinders, low label costs and quick artwork changes. Our explainer on shrink sleeve labelling goes through the trade-offs in detail.

Labelling options

• Full body shrink labelling: a 360-degree wrap for complete coverage from base to shoulder or over the cap.
• Tamper-evident neck bands: a short sleeve over the closure that must be broken to open the product.
• Multi-pack banding: a sleeve that groups two or more products into one retail unit.
• Partial sleeves: decoration on part of the container where the rest stays clear.

Shrink sleeve film and printed sleeves

Nexus supplies printed shrink sleeves in custom sizes to match the applicator and your container. Films include PVC for the lowest cost, PETG for high clarity and compatibility with PET recycling streams, and OPS where a stiff film is required. A 50 percent recycled RPET sleeve is available for brands that need recycled content. Rotogravure or digital printing gives full-colour graphics with fine detail. Nexus supplies finished printed sleeves; it does not sell sleeve printing presses.

Containers and industries

Shrink sleeves suit PET, HDPE and glass bottles, cans, jars, tubs and contoured or tapered containers that a flat label cannot follow. Typical users are beverage producers (water, juice, energy drinks, spirits), food and sauces, personal care and cosmetics, household cleaning products, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, and automotive lubricants and paints.

Integration

The applicator and heat tunnel install in-line on an existing conveyor, usually after filling and capping. Changeover between container sizes is a mandrel and recipe change. If your line also needs pressure-sensitive labels on some products, a conventional labeller can run alongside the sleever on the same conveyor.

Send us your container drawing and target speed and we will specify the sleeve size, film and applicator. Contact Nexus Australia for a quote on shrink sleeve labelling.