Thinking about shrink for your next labeling project? The capital investment can be significant, so choosing the most qualified shrink sleeve decorator is imperative. Be sure to keep in mind these guidelines:
- Tap into existing tooling. A typical set of tooling is around $40,000. So if a vendor has tooling you can align to your containers, this will dramatically reduce your capital costs – and trim your time to market too.
- Check their relationship skills. Your vendor should have a great relationship with sleeve, fill, and container suppliers – and should be flexible enough to work well with any supplier in general.
- Assess their capacity. Your ideal shrink decorator should have the capacity to serve your needs – including having multiple automated lines for higher volume capabilities. They should also have automated secondary equipment including bulk-to-bulk depalletizing and repalletizing bottle descramblers and sorting bowls, and decasing and case packing equipment.
- Prioritize project management. You want your vendor to have a shrewd project management team – delivering consultative expertise and attention to detail that keeps your project running smoothly. Plenty of technical support along the way is crucial as well.
- Scrutinize their Supply Chain Management (SCM). Determine how well your potential shrink sleeve decorator coordinates and collaborates with channel partners – including suppliers, intermediaries, third-party service providers and customers.
- Go for total turnkey. It may sound cliché, but a one-stop shop really is your best bet. Instead of working with a different vendor for each step, enlist the services of a turnkey provider who offers contract packaging, shrink labeling, warehousing, logistics and transportation all under one roof.