Shrink wrapping can be the piece that makes or breaks your basket design. A great-looking basket is less attractive with improper wrapping. b+B offers wholesale rolls of polypropylene, bulk shrink-wrap sheets, domes, and shrink wrap basket bags. All of these can be used to create the beautiful finishing touch on a gift basket assortment. The type you choose will depend on the size of your gift arrangement and personal preference.
If you're unsure of which bulk shrink wrap materials to choose, contact customer service. Whatever method you choose, be sure to plan ahead before you wrap, so that you can get the coverage you need without excess waste. All of the supplies you need for shrink wrapping can be found on our General Wholesale Supplies page. Scroll or filter until you see the items you need. Check out the video below to start learning the basics of shrink wrapping.
What is shrink wrap?
Shrink wrap for baskets is a thin plastic film that is available in a few different forms: rolls for those who do a lot of shrink wrapping, sheets for smaller gift arrangements, "domes" for large gift arrangements, and shrink wrap cellophane bags. The polypropylene layer is placed around the gift arrangement, or wrapped around it. When heat is applied, the wrapping roughly forms to the shape of the arrangement. Not only does it look professional on a retail gift basket, but it's also suitable for holding gift assortment items in place on retail shelves and during times of transport before it is opened.
Does cellophane shrink with heat?
Yes, it does. That is why heat cannot be applied to any one spot on the shrink wrap basket bags for too long because it will melt and cause a hole to form.
How To Professionally Shrink Wrap a Basket or Gift Arrangement:
1.) Place the entire gift arrangement inside the shrink wrap. If you're using a shrink wrap dome, or shrink wrap bag (the most common way to shrink wrap), make sure the base of the gift arrangement is at the bottom of the bag. If you're using a polypropylene roll, make sure you cut enough off the roll to cover the gift arrangement completely; in this case, you will want some excess to give yourself some extra material for sealing.
2.) Gather the extra material at the top of the gift arrangement with your hands. Twist the material or clinch it in your fist to make a "tying neck" at the top of the design.
3.) Choose a tying material for your gift arrangement. You will want to choose something strong enough to keep the material from coming loose, and the gift arrangement from opening before it is time to be opened. Our suggestion would be to use: string, wire, twine, or wholesale ribbon. Tie your chosen material around the tying neck - make sure it is tight.
4.) Using a heat gun, quickly run the heat over the surface of the polypropylene, turning the arrangement as you go. The heat will cause the material to roughly conform to the shape of the gift basket or arrangement. Keep the heat of the gun at a safe distance from the material. Slowly work in to get closer to the arrangement as you become more familiar with the process and see how quickly shrink wrapping occurs with heat. Do not point the heat gun in the same area for an extended period. It will melt the wrap and cause a hole to form.
For our visual learners, watch the shrink wrapping video below to learn how to professionally shrink-wrap gift baskets.
Handle With Care
Keep your hands away from the front of the gun as you turn the basket. The heat gun uses extreme heat and could cause severe burns. Large shrink wrap bags may require slightly more heat.
Can you shrink-wrap baskets with a hair dryer?
Ultimately, yes, you can, but it is not recommended. A heat gun is a lot more efficient for gift shrink wrapping. You can find heat guns on b+B's General Wholesale Supplies page, which is linked above.
