I have been selling quiet a few prints latley, and I can't find mylar sleeves that fit all my photos properly. I am looking for advice on shrink wraping. Where and what machine to buy, where to buy the rolls of Archival plastic.
Sorry, I don't have an answer to your question, but I couldn't resist. A friend had one. She would use it for all sorts of things. I watched her use it to pack first aid supplies for a camping trip once....
Have you tried Uline.com? They do main shipping/packing stuff, but I remember seeing shrink wrap machines there.
Since you are selling these prints and not actually storing these prints in the shrink wrap package for a long time, does it matter that you get archival plastic or not?
Have you tried Uline.com? They do main shipping/packing stuff, but I remember seeing shrink wrap machines there.
Since you are selling these prints and not actually storing these prints in the shrink wrap package for a long time, does it matter that you get archival plastic or not?
The plastic does need to be acid free. I actulay have a uline catalogue I've been looking at it today. They have a 32" for $310. Thinking about buying it. I am selling 1000 of my photos to the local fire department and I'm afraid some of the photos will stay in the wrap for a long time period. I could just buy 1000 self sealing bags but I think this will pay for itself in the long run.
I put the prints I sell in bags I get from Clearbags.com they have just about every size imaginable, and they are pretty cheap, especially the more you get. I don't know, they might even have shrink wrap gear?
Here are some more places to get them. I was recomended to use Presentation systems but they don't have the sizes I use.
I have bought from climax photo, they tell me they make thier own bags but I'm not sure. Good quality but expensive charge for shiping & they come rolled up instead of flat which I don't like. Don't buy thier gloves they suck.
I have no experience with bags unlimited yet, and if I don't buy a shrink wraper I will probably buy from clearbags.com
I put the prints I sell in bags I get from Clearbags.com they have just about every size imaginable, and they are pretty cheap, especially the more you get. I don't know, they might even have shrink wrap gear?
I have been selling quiet a few prints latley, and I can't find mylar sleeves that fit all my photos properly. I am looking for advice on shrink wraping. Where and what machine to buy, where to buy the rolls of Archival plastic.
Well that's two sugestions for clearbags.com. I use 12x18 16x24 2x30 & 24x36.
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Originally posted by Snake:
I have been selling quiet a few prints latley, and I can't find mylar sleeves that fit all my photos properly. I am looking for advice on shrink wraping. Where and what machine to buy, where to buy the rolls of Archival plastic.
I know this is a little late, and your issue has probably already been resolved, but these are good questions and this might help someone else.
There are a couple of types of shrink wrap machines that can do what you need. These are I-bar and L-bar machines. The I-bar machines are ideal for low to medium-volume use, which is probably more like what you are doing. I-bar machines cut the film on one side at a time, usually requiring about two passes to completely encapsulate a disk. A heat gun is usually used at this point to shrink the film. You don't have to shrink the film if you just need the plastic to protect your prints.
An L-bar machine cuts the film around the print in one pass and usually uses a heat tunnel to shrink the film. These machine are good for medium to high-volume use.
I know this is a little late, and your issue has probably already been resolved, but these are good questions and this might help someone else.
There are a couple of types of shrink wrap machines that can do what you need. These are I-bar and L-bar machines. The I-bar machines are ideal for low to medium-volume use, which is probably more like what you are doing. I-bar machines cut the film on one side at a time, usually requiring about two passes to completely encapsulate a disk. A heat gun is usually used at this point to shrink the film. You don't have to shrink the film if you just need the plastic to protect your prints.
An L-bar machine cuts the film around the print in one pass and usually uses a heat tunnel to shrink the film. These machine are good for medium to high-volume use.
Ha, I didn't look at the date on this and was going to respond with the same answer you gave. These machines work very well and are very easy (I used them at one of my former jobs). Just make sure you use them in well-ventilated areas. All that heat and shrinkwrap goes straight to your head in a hurry.
