Polyolefin vs. PVC shrink film

Polyolefin is the usual choice for new shrink wrap work. In Uline’s comparison it shrinks more than PVC, resists punctures better, and is rated for direct food contact. PVC still has a place. It is very clear, it shrinks at a lower temperature, and it ships in most I-bar starter kits. Its drawbacks are fumes when heated, no direct food contact for the roll films we checked, and sensitivity to heat and cold in storage.

The ratings below belong to specific films. Film makers test in different ways. Check the data sheet for the exact film before you buy.

Polyolefin vs. PVC at a glance

All rows except fumes and price are from the Uline shrink film guide and describe Uline’s economy polyolefin, deluxe polyolefin, and PVC films. Prices are from our roll price table, seen September 29, 2026.

Shrink and appearance

PVC shrinks less and at a lower temperature. Uline says “the smallest amount of shrink and lowest sealing temperature make PVC easy to work with.” Uline’s guide gives 35% of length and 50% of width for its PVC. Its listing for a 12 in. PVC roll gives 50% of length and 40% of width. Figures vary even within one seller, so use the listing for the roll you buy.

Polyolefin shrinks more. Uline calls its deluxe polyolefin “best for odd-shaped items” because it shrinks 80% in all directions.

PVC pulls with less force. Industrial Packaging says PVC has “low shrink force”. That matters for products that bend. Uline recommends PVC for books, games, and office supplies. For soft or light products in polyolefin, Uline sells Cryovac D-940, a soft film that “won’t buckle or distort.” See shrink wrap machines for books.

Look and feel. Uline rates its PVC “excellent” for clarity and its polyolefin “good.” PVC feels crinkly. Polyolefin feels soft. For soap, the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild says polyolefin lets scent through and that 75 gauge PVC looks best when scent doesn’t matter.

Strength and storage

Uline rates its PVC “fair” for puncture resistance, its economy polyolefin “good,” and its deluxe polyolefin “excellent.” Industrial Packaging agrees that polyolefin resists punctures better. It adds that PVC resists a tear spreading better.

PVC is the more sensitive film in storage. Industrial Packaging says PVC rolls are “temperamental with drastic heat or cold temperatures, causing brittleness when too cold, and wrinkling when too warm.” It says polyolefin is less affected by temperature changes. Uline’s PVC roll listing gives a shelf life of 1 year and a storage range of -60 to 100°F. It says to “Store & ship in cool environment.”

Polyolefin also needs a cool place. Clysar recommends 90°F or below to keep the layers on the roll from sticking together.

Fumes and ventilation

This is the main safety difference. Uline’s PVC roll listing says the film “May emit fumes, polyolefin film will not.” US Packaging & Wrapping says “It is essential for proper ventilation when shrink-wrapping with a PVC material.”

A PVC shrink film safety data sheet lists hydrogen chloride gas as a hazardous decomposition product. The CDC’s ATSDR says hydrogen chloride “is irritating and corrosive to any tissue it contacts”.

Plan ventilation before you run PVC on a sealer, a heat gun, or a tunnel. Don’t treat polyolefin as fume-free under all conditions either. Eastey’s sealer manual warns that some films “may result in the release of hazardous fumes” at high temperatures and says to ventilate at all times. Follow the safety data sheet for the film you use.

Food contact

Uline’s guide marks both of its polyolefin films “yes” for direct food contact and its PVC “no.” US Packaging & Wrapping says “Centerfold PVC wrap is not safe for direct contact with food.”

The polymer name alone does not prove a film suits food. Some PVC products are sold as FDA compliant, and not every polyolefin grade is cleared for every food. Ask the supplier for documents that cover your film, your food, and your temperatures. See food-safe shrink film.

Machines and settings

The two films run at different settings. These are published starting points for specific machines.

See shrink tunnel settings by film for the sources and limits of these figures.

Three things to check before you choose a film for a machine:

1. The sealer’s film list. Some sealers recommend polyolefin and do not recommend PVC. The machine types guide has a model-specific example.
2. Automatic lines. US Packaging & Wrapping says cross-linked polyolefin films “run much better on fully automatic machines than PVC materials.” See cross-linked polyolefin.
3. Starter kits. Most I-bar kits ship with PVC film. You can buy polyolefin rolls for them, but check the film range for the sealer first.

Cost

Sellers often describe PVC as the cheaper film. US Packaging & Wrapping calls it “a more cost-effective option than polyolefin.” Industrial Packaging says polyolefin “is more expensive, but more durable.”

Our price sample did not show that for small rolls. On September 29, 2026, for 12 in. centerfold rolls of 75 gauge film:

The roll lengths differ, and longer rolls cost less per foot. This is a small sample, not a market price. Compare the same width, gauge, and roll length from your own supplier, then work out film cost per package.

Recycling

How2Recycle Store Drop-Off takes flexible polyethylene-based plastics such as #2 and #4 film. PVC (#3) is not on that list. Clysar says six of its polyolefin films are prequalified for How2Recycle Store Drop-Off. Check the film’s data sheet or label before you tell customers a package is recyclable.

Which to choose

Choose polyolefin when:

• The film touches food and the supplier documents that use.
• The product has an odd shape or sharp edges.
• You run an automatic machine, or your sealer recommends polyolefin.
• You can’t ventilate the work area well.

Consider PVC when:

• You wrap boxed goods such as books, games, or software.
• A lower shrink temperature helps with your heat source or product.
• You want the clearest look and the product does not touch food.
• You can ventilate the work area and store the rolls in a cool place.

Polyethylene is a third option for heavy bundles such as cases of bottles. For that film, gauges, and sizing, see the shrink film guide. To buy film, see shrink wrap rolls.

Common questions

What is the difference between polyolefin and PVC shrink film?

In Uline's comparison, polyolefin shrinks more, resists punctures better, feels soft, and is rated for direct food contact. Its PVC is clearer, feels crinkly, shrinks at 250°F instead of 300°F, and is not rated for direct food contact. These ratings are for Uline's films. Check the data sheet for the exact film you buy.

Which is better, polyolefin or PVC shrink wrap?

Polyolefin fits more jobs. It suits food, odd shapes, and automatic machines. PVC still suits boxed goods such as books, games, and software, and it comes in most I-bar starter kits. Choose by product, machine, and ventilation, not by name alone.

Is PVC shrink wrap food safe?

Uline's PVC roll film is not rated for direct food contact, and US Packaging & Wrapping says its centerfold PVC is not safe for direct food contact. Some PVC products are sold as FDA compliant. Ask the supplier for documents that cover your exact film, food, and temperature.

Does PVC shrink wrap give off fumes?

It can. Uline's PVC roll listing says the film may emit fumes and that polyolefin film will not. A PVC shrink film safety data sheet lists hydrogen chloride gas as a hazardous decomposition product. Ventilate the work area and follow the film's safety data sheet.

Is PVC shrink film cheaper than polyolefin?

Sellers often describe PVC as the cheaper film, but check the price per foot. In our September 29, 2026 sample of 12 in. rolls of 75 gauge film, polyolefin worked out to $34.29 per 1,000 ft and PVC to $52.14 to $60.00 per 1,000 ft. The roll lengths differed.

Can I run polyolefin and PVC on the same sealer?

Often, but not always. Seal temperature, seal pad, and tunnel settings differ by film, and some sealers recommend polyolefin only. Check the machine manual for each film before you switch.