Retail Packaging

Retail packaging equipment gives products a clean, tamper-evident finish for the shelf. This collection lists Maripak hood sealers, semi-automatic L-bar sealers, side sealers and a PE shrink bundler, plus AIE impulse sealers for bags and the AIE ultrasonic sealer for clamshells.

22 products

How to Choose Retail Packaging Equipment

On the shelf, the pack is part of the product and often the first thing a customer sees. Shrink film gives boxes and multipacks a clear, tight finish and shows if a pack has been opened; sealed bags and clamshells keep products clean and complete. Choose the equipment by pack type and volume.

Shrink-wrapped boxes and sets

Boxed games, toys, software, cosmetics and gift sets are shrink wrapped in polyolefin film. A hood sealer such as the Maripak Compack 5800i seals and shrinks in one chamber for small volumes. The Maripak LMC 5844-M with a tunnel, or the TMC Pro 5844-M with a built-in tunnel, handles more packs per minute.

High-volume retail lines

Continuous-motion side sealers such as the Maripak IMPACK PRO-MOTION 40 reach up to 110 cycles per minute per Maripak. The SYMPACK 35 combines a side sealer and tunnel in one footprint.

Multipacks

Bottles, cans and jars sold in multipacks are bundled with PE film on a PE shrink bundler such as the Maripak Multimac D 60.

Bags and clamshells

Products in poly bags are sealed on impulse sealers such as the AIE A1 Series; a round wire version seals and trims the bag for a neat edge. For header bags that hang on a peg, the seal can be placed above the header card so the pack hangs straight. The AIE-405US spot-seals clamshells so they cannot be opened unnoticed.

Appearance

For a good-looking pack, the seal line should sit at mid-height of the product and the film should shrink evenly without dog ears. Height-adjustable trays, center-seal systems and well-sized tunnels help. Polyolefin film is clear and strong and is the usual choice for retail. Test a few packs with your real product before you settle on a film thickness.

Printed film

Automatic Maripak machines can run printed film with registration mark detection as an option, so the print sits in the same place on every pack.

Space and power

Hood sealers and the TMC Pro save tunnel space, which matters in small packing rooms. Many semi-automatic machines run on 220 V single-phase power without compressed air; automatic lines may need 3-phase power.

Common mistakes to avoid

Packs that look poor on the shelf usually have one of three causes: the wrong film for the product, a seal line that is not centered, or a tunnel that is too small or set too hot. Test with your real products and film before ordering, and size the tunnel for your widest pack. Another mistake is choosing a machine that is too small for growth; a hood sealer is a great start, but plan the step to an L-bar and tunnel early.

Planning checklist

Note your pack sizes, the number of packs per hour, the film you use or plan to use, any printed film, the available power and the floor space. Send this with your quote request, and we will suggest a Maripak or AIE setup that fits your products.

Choosing by volume

Small shops and start-ups: a hood sealer. Growing brands: a semi-automatic L-bar with a separate or built-in tunnel. Producers supplying retail chains: automatic side sealers, tunnels and bundlers.

Film use

Estimate film per pack with the Shrink Film Calculator and compare film types in Shrink Film Types.

Delivery and installation

Maripak machines ship by freight from Allentown, Pennsylvania; installation and training by Maripak technicians can be quoted. AIE machines ship from City of Industry, California.

Compare the equipment

ModelBrandTypeKey specs
AIE A1 Series Semi-Automatic Tabletop Impulse SealerAIEImpulse & heat sealer18" or 24", 2–10 mm or round wire; Electromagnet closes the arm; Foot pedal included
AIE-405US Portable Ultrasonic Clamshell SealerAIEImpulse & heat sealerUltrasonic, no preheating; Seals OPS, PSP, PVC, EPS; For clamshell containers
Maripak Compack 5800i Hood Shrink SealerMaripakHood shrink sealerChamber 23" × 17" × 10"; 5–10 packs/min; 200–240 V single-phase, 25 A
Maripak IMPACK PRO-MOTION 40 Continuous Motion Side SealerMaripakContinuous-motion side sealerContinuous motion, up to 110 cycles/min; Cross seal 21", 16" belt; 220 V three-phase, 25 A
Maripak IMPACK PRO-MOTION 80 Continuous Motion Side SealerMaripakContinuous-motion side sealerContinuous motion, up to 110 cycles/min; Cross seal 37", 31" belt; 220 V three-phase, 35 A
Maripak LMC 5844-M Semi-Automatic L-Bar SealerMaripakSemi-automatic L-sealerSeal area 23" × 17"; 10–15 packs/min; 220 V single-phase, 20 A
Maripak Multimac D 60 Automatic PE Shrink BundlerMaripakShrink bundlerCross seal 27", 24" belt; PE film 1–3 mil, tunnel built in; About 20 cycles/min (35 servo)
Maripak SYMPACK 35 Side Sealer and Shrink Tunnel CombinationMaripakSide sealer + tunnel combinationSide sealer + tunnel, 14" belt; Up to 98 ft/min, packs up to 7" high; 220–240 V three-phase
Maripak TMC Pro 5844-M L-Bar Sealer and Shrink Tunnel CombinationMaripakL-sealer + tunnel combinationSeal area 23" × 17" + tunnel; 10–12 packs/min; 220 V single-phase, 50 A

Read How to Choose an L-Bar Sealer and Shrink Tunnel. See also Shrink Packaging, E-Commerce & Fulfillment and the Maripak brand page.

Retail Packaging FAQ

Which machine gives the most professional shrink wrap?

An L-bar or side sealer with a well-sized shrink tunnel gives the most even result, because the heat reaches all sides at the same time. Hood sealers also give a clean finish for smaller volumes. The right film, a centered seal line and correct tunnel settings matter as much as the machine.

Is shrink wrapping tamper-evident?

A pack that is sealed and shrunk on all sides shows clearly if it has been opened, which is why shrink wrapping is widely used for retail goods. For clamshells, a spot seal from an ultrasonic sealer such as the AIE-405US does the same job.

Which film should we use for retail packs?

Polyolefin is the usual choice: it is clear, strong and shrinks evenly. PVC is still used in some applications. For heavy multipacks of bottles or cans, PE film on a bundler is used. Each sealer lists the film types and thicknesses it handles.

Can we run printed shrink film?

Yes, on automatic Maripak machines with the option for printed film with registration mark detection. The machine then places the print in the same position on every pack. Ask for this option with your quote, together with a sample of your printed film if you already have one.

What is the smallest setup to start with?

A Maripak Compack hood sealer seals and shrinks in one chamber, needs no compressed air and no tunnel, and runs on 200–240 V single-phase power. Per Maripak it wraps about 5–10 packs per minute, enough for many small brands and a good first step before an L-bar and tunnel.

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