How to Shrinkwrap Prints

Shrink-wrapping photo prints is a professional way to package and protect them for mailing and delivery. But you could waste time by continually melting the shrink-wrap. Worse, the heat generated by the heat gun could scorch the prints. Protect your prints by learning how to properly shrink-wrap them to provide your customers with top-notch packaging.

• 1

  Spread the sheet of shrink-wrap flat across a table.

• 2

  Wrap the prints in the rice paper.

• 3

  Lay the wrapped prints in the center of the shrink-wrap.

• 4

  Wrap the shrink-wrap around the prints, folding any excess around the edges and bottom of the prints.

• 5

  Apply a piece of cellophane tape to the edges of the prints, so the shrink-wrap stays in place.

• 6

  Heat the shrink-wrap using the shrink-wrap air gun, holding it about 12 inches from the shrink-wrap. Use the heat gun as you would a blow dryer with slow back-and-forth motions.

• 7

  Focus the stream of hot air on any remaining wrinkles. Do not bring the heat any closer to the prints than 12 inches because the heat gun generates more heat than a hair dryer, and the heat will melt the wrap or scorch the rice paper and prints.

• 8

  Tip the prints on their side, continuing to wave the heat gun slowly back and forth as the hot air shrinks and smooths the plastic shrink-wrap.

• 9

  Flip the prints over; focus on removing the last few wrinkles of the shrink-wrap as it tightens. Stop as the plastic grows taut and the last wrinkles vanish.