shrink wrap bands or roll

[charlotteda]

those of you who use shrink wrap... do you use the ready made bands or buy it on a roll and cut ?

seems like the roll would be more economical.

thanks
charlotte

 

[agriffin]

I use bands from Wholesales supplies plus, they are $2.50 for 50 soap bands.

 

[carebear]

I used to use bands that came perforated, and the ends were left open.
I now use a roll, no perforation, and I seal the soap entirely within the shrink wrap.

 

[xyxoxy]

I now use a roll, no perforation, and I seal the soap entirely within the shrink wrap.

That's what I do too..

 

[mandolyn]

I use the roll & cut. It was really inexpensive & I get a perfect fit.

 

[ChrissyB]

Carebear, do you use a specific heatgun?

 

[carebear]

Nope, I got mine at Target. any one will do.

In Target it was by the paints as they are used to make it easier to scrape paint off the walls. In a hardware store they could be anywhere as they have myriad uses.

 

[ChrissyB]

I've seen them in the store, just wasn't sure if they were the right thing.
I think I need one.
Enabler

 

[honor435]

can you still smell product through shrinkwrap? can it breath, or doesnt need to after a long cure?

 

[carebear]

oh heat guns are GREAT. everyone should have one

no, you cannot smell the fragrance through the shrink wrap I use, but National Shrinkwrap has one with tiny perforations that let's scent through. It's even biodegradable. But only sold in big, wide rolls and I just don't have the space for it...

 

[xyxoxy]

I got a roll of 10 inch polyolefin from National Shrinkwrap so it fits nicely on a shelf. If I ever have the money and the space I will get a wider roll and one of their sealing wand systems but this works for me for now.

The polyolefin does allow the scent to pass through and as I understand it... perforating the roll is an extra step and is optional. It helps with evaporation as the soap cures. I did ask to have my roll perforated. I have not tried their new biolefin (?) or whatever they call it but I suspect it is similar and I think it is also approved for wrapping food products.

The PVC shrink wrap that most places sell does not allow the scent to pass through. I think that's why many people use the bands and/or leave the ends exposed.

 

[cwayneu]

Here is a post ( http://soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewto ... 980#128980 ) I made from a few months back about using tubing. We do it because it's cheap (1/2 cent per bar), but the bans are a lot less trouble (about 5 cents). We (actually DW Billie) also made a short video if you're interested.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSq0WD0p72Q"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSq0WD0p72Q[/ame]

 

[ChrissyB]

I found a heatgun! Yippee! I haven't used it, but oh I so wanted one!!
Now I'm off to order some shrink wraps! This is gonna be fun!!
I like the idea of my cured soaps being protected in their own little wrap.
Carebear, how long do you let your soaps cure for before shrink wrapping them, I know four weeks being the absolute minimum, but do you think an extra couple of weeks would be even better? I don't like the thought of trapping moisture in the wrap.