Shrink wrap heat guns
Which heat gun to use for product shrink wrap, specs and prices for shrink wrap and general-purpose guns, when a propane gun makes sense, and how to use one.
What you need
For small product packaging, choose a heat gun documented for shrink-film use. It should let you control heat and airflow. Wattage alone does not tell you whether a gun will work. The packaging guns below are rated at 1,200 W. That is a sample, not a spec for every shrink-wrap gun. Film shrink temperatures apply to each grade. They are not universal nozzle settings.
Guns sold for shrink wrap
| Gun | Watts | Temperature | Settings | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uline H-915 | 1,200 W, 120 V 10 A | 110 to 930°F | Variable, 2 fan speeds | $60 |
| Sealer Sales HG-1 | 1,200 W, 110 to 120 V, 10 A | 600°F low, 1,000°F high | 2 settings | $45 at Stapler Warehouse |
| US Packaging & Wrapping 2-speed | 1,200 W | Not stated | 2 presets | $58.31 |
| US Packaging & Wrapping variable | 1,200 W | Not stated | Adjustable dial | $91.04 |
General-purpose heat guns
Some general-purpose heat guns list shrink wrapping among their applications. More power or airflow does not by itself give you a good package faster. The film, heat spread, distance, and how much heat the product can take all matter.
| Gun | Watts | Temperature | Airflow | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wagner HT1000 | 1,200 W high, 650 W low | About 750°F low, 1,000°F high | 2 settings | $25 |
| Harbor Freight Warrior 56434 | 1,500 W | Up to 1,000°F | 2 settings | $19.99 member price |
| DeWalt D26960K | 1,550 W | 150 to 1,100°F in 50° steps | 8.8 to 17.7 CFM | Varies by retailer |
| Steinel HL 1920 E | 1,500 W | 120 to 1,100°F | 4 to 13 CFM | $185 |
| Master Appliance HG-501D | 1,740 W | 1,200°F, one fixed setting | 27 CFM | $179 to $217 |
| DeWalt DCE530B cordless | 20 V battery | 550 to 990°F | 6.7 CFM | Confirm current seller price. Tool only. |
| Milwaukee M18 2688-20 cordless | 18 V battery | Up to 875°F | 6 CFM | Confirm current seller price. Tool only. |
Wagner’s HT1000 manual lists “shrink plastic film for wrapping” as a use and recommends the low setting with no nozzle tip. Master Appliance lists shrink packaging as a use and sells a shrink attachment. Its HG-501D runs at one fixed temperature, so it has no low setting. Master’s VT-751D is the variable version, 100 to 1,200°F. The cordless examples here have less published airflow than several corded examples. Tool-only prices exclude the battery. This is not a claim about every cordless heat gun.
Propane guns
Propane shrink guns are built for pallet loads, boats, and machinery. Examples are the Shrinkfast 998 and the Ripack 3000. The Shrinkfast 998 puts out 136,000 to 212,000 BTU. Its complete kit costs $675 from Shrinkfast and $750 at Uline. The Ripack 3000 costs $926. Uline gives Shrinkfast nozzle temperatures of 3,200°F at the nozzle and 650°F at 12 in. They need a propane tank, hose, and regulator. Use them only for the jobs and methods their maker specifies. They can’t stand in for a small electric gun used for retail packaging.
How to use a heat gun on shrink wrap
- Start on low. Raise the setting only if the film won’t shrink.
- Keep a distance. US Packaging & Wrapping, a reseller, suggests holding the gun about 12 to 16 in. away on low. Start farther away and move closer until the film reacts.
- Keep it moving. Uline’s manual says that if the gun is set on high and held in one spot for more than a few seconds, the film will burn. Use smooth, wide motions.
- Work edges to center. Uline’s manual says to go “from the outside edges of the package first, and to the middle of the package last”.
- Watch for holes. Burn holes mean the gun was too close or stayed too long.
Heat gun nozzles can reach 1,000°F or more and take about 20 minutes to cool. Keep hands clear of the nozzle. Never leave the gun running unattended. Set it down on its stand, away from anything flammable. Ventilate when shrinking PVC.
When to move to a tunnel
Uline rates its I-bar kits with a heat gun at 1 to 2 packages per minute. A heat gun is slow and results vary with the operator. For steady volume, a correctly matched shrink tunnel can give more consistent results. Results still depend on the product, film, settings, and maintenance. Small 110 V tunnels start around $2,500 to $3,000 new.
For the full process, see how to shrink wrap with a heat gun. For complete kits that include a gun, see starter setups for home and small business.
Common questions
For small product packaging, choose an electric heat gun whose maker documents shrink-wrap use and suitable heat control. Wattage alone does not show that a gun is suitable. Packaging suppliers sell 1,200 W guns for $45 to $91, such as the Uline H-915 ($60) and Sealer Sales HG-1 ($45). Propane guns are for pallets and boats.
Start on the low setting. PVC shrinks at about 250°F and polyolefin at about 300°F, and even low settings on most heat guns are hotter than that at the nozzle. Control the heat by distance and by keeping the gun moving.
Yes. Some general-purpose heat guns support shrink wrapping. Check the specific model and film use. Wagner's HT1000 manual lists shrink wrap as a use and recommends the low setting with no nozzle tip.
Not for retail packages. Propane guns such as the Shrinkfast 998 put out over 100,000 BTU and cost $675 or more. They are made for pallets, boats, and machinery. Uline says its electric H-915 is not for marine or pallet shrink work.