Finding Wrap for M&P in Aussie + Shrink Film vs Stretch

[Manda]

Finding Wrap for M&P in Aussie + Shrink Film vs Stretch

Until now I have been wrapping my M&P soap in cling wrap which is OK but I it's a bit thin and I'd prefer a thicker film with a more professional look.

I've been searching the internet (primarily Aussie sites as I'm in Australia) for information and pricing on shrink film and stretch film however it seems very difficult to find much in the way of pricing and anything other than commercial quantities and sizes.

Plus, I'm not sure whether shrink film or stretch film is going to be better!

I recently bought a 100mm wide roll of stretch wrap at Officeworks and am impressed with it for wrapping small guest soaps but as it is so narrow I can't use it for the larger soaps.

I'd like to know from people who use or have tried using either shrink film or stretch film to wrap M&P soap:

• What do you use?
  Does it do the job? (ie. stay intact, keep moisture out)
  How does it look?
  Would you recommend it?
  Where can it be bought?

Any information will be much appreciated.

 

[pops1]

I am an Aussie too and l have been buying the shrinkwrap bags from Ebay,you only have cut off the excess then use a hairdryer on highest setting for a second or too and you have a real professional looking bar.I recently found l can buy the 6x6 bags from the States at a lot cheaper price(also from Ebay) and split them making 2 small sheets instead of a bag and they fit a lot of my soaps.How l wish l could buy some of the terrific things they can in the States even getting bases is an effort since we have so little choice here in Australia.

 

[Manda]

I know! There is so much we can't get here even beyond the soaping world!

I have actually tried some shrink bags from the US but they were very rigid and the open end and the corners crinkled up quite a bit when I heated it, even with trying to press them down while heating, and because it was rigid it didn't seem to have an airtight seal. (Possibly I didn't heat it enough?) Also some of my soaps are odd shapes and the square bags didn't look quite right. :?

How rigid/soft are the bags you use? Do you know what material they are made of?

 

[pops1]

I have no idea what the bags from the States were made of but the ones l bought first were from Oztion not Ebay as previously stated.They seemed to seal really well and the edges melted in the best.I have been making a lot of small soaps for kids so splitting the US ones in half are ideal at half the price since l like to keep the price of the kids soaps as low as possible but l have been using the Oztion ones for the adult soaps.I have just checked and the seller who l bought from orginally and she no longer sells them so l am going to be in the same position as you when l have finished the ones l have.I think l will try the other seller on Oztion and see what hers are like.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I bought some shrink wrap bags from Oztion ($15 for 100) and tried one out on my MP soap and my hairdryer melted the soap a bit. That was probably operator error but the dryer didn't seem that hot. Then when I unwrapped it (virtually straight away) the thickness of the plastic damaged the soap even more. :shock: It worked much better on CP soap. :wink:

 

[Goldenearthgirl]

To use the bags efficiently you need an impulse sealer and a hot gun, like Bunnings sell to strip paint. The hair dryer just doesn't get hot enough and you can frazzle the bulky areas. If you don't seal the bags before shrinking you'll never get a nice finish.

HTH

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Thanks Goldenearthgirl.