Compare sleeve applicator machines
Review automatic, rotary, horizontal and tunnel-based sleeve applicator routes.
Open page →Material guide
PVC, PETG and OPS Shrink Sleeve Materials Compared
The sleeve film affects how the applicator feeds, how the sleeve opens, how it shrinks and how the finished pack looks. PVC, PETG and OPS each have different shrink behaviour and need checking against the tunnel and container.
PVCPETGOPSTunnel settings
Material behaviour
Why sleeve material changes the machine setup.
Sleeve films vary in stiffness, shrink curve and sensitivity to heat. That changes mandrel selection, feed control, cut quality and tunnel settings.
- Opening and feeding behaviour
- Shrink percentage and direction
- Perforation and cut quality
Testing route
Why samples matter before ordering.
Material choice should be tested on the actual bottle or container. The same sleeve material can behave differently on a round bottle, tapered bottle, flat-sided container or lightweight pack.
- Sample containers
- Printed or trial sleeves
- Target output and tunnel dwell time
- Choosing only by machine speed before testing the real container and sleeve
- Ignoring pack stability, side guides and conveyor transfer points
- Using the wrong tunnel route for the sleeve material or bottle shape
- Leaving cut length, lay-flat or perforation tolerance until after ordering
- Forgetting coding, inspection, accumulation and downstream packing space
Avoid poor fit
Common issues to check before ordering.
Small pack or sleeve differences can change the correct applicator, mandrel, conveyor and tunnel arrangement. These checks help prevent a machine being chosen on headline speed alone.
Quote details
Information that helps shortlist the correct sleeve applicator route.
For a useful recommendation, send the container dimensions, filled weight, sleeve material, lay-flat, cut length, target output, photos or drawings, and where the sleeve needs to sit on the pack. If the project is going into an existing line, include available conveyor height, line direction, utilities and footprint.
- Container diameter, height, shoulder shape and filled weight
- Sleeve material, lay-flat, cut length, perforation and artwork position
- Required output in bottles per minute or packs per hour
- Tunnel choice, utilities, conveyor height and available footprint
- Changeover range, spare parts and operator access
Related pages
Useful related sleeve applicator pages.
These pages keep the search route connected to the right machine type, application and quote checklist.
Sleeve applicator buying guide
Check the practical buying factors before choosing a machine, tunnel or complete line.
Open page →Request a sleeve applicator quote
Send pack, sleeve, output and layout details to Lancing for a practical recommendation.
Open page →FAQ
PVC, PETG and OPS Shrink Sleeve Materials Compared questions
Can Lancing recommend a sleeve material?
Lancing can advise on machine and tunnel implications, but final film selection should be checked with the sleeve supplier and tested on the pack.
Does PETG need a different tunnel to PVC?
It can. The shrink curve and target finish can change the best tunnel type and settings.
Should I test printed sleeves?
Yes, especially for premium artwork, dark colours, barcodes or shoulders where distortion is visible.
Project support
Send the pack, sleeve and output details for a practical shortlist.
Lancing can review the packaging format, sleeve material, shrink tunnel requirement and line layout before recommending the most suitable sleeve applicator configuration.